Houston,
We have a problem!
I don’t think it’s a good thing when you fill your car with a gallon of antifreeze and it’s gone within two days…hmm.
Looks like old “booboo” is off to the shop for some fixer-uppin’. She needs a new water pump.
A little over a month ago, I stepped up onto a treadmill to start my C25k(Couch to 5k) plan of action. Day two of week two, I started experiencing extremely uncomfortable shin splints. My plans of running a 5k race (held this past Saturday, actually), had come to a screeching halt.
I tend to have a stubborn attempt at goals I want to accomplish, especially if they mean so much to me. I could have kept running despite the pain. But I took the wise way out and decided to take time off to heal my injury.
I have spent way too much time in doctor offices and clinics this past year, and cannot risk another return. (you can learn more about this on my About Me page.) I fear they may greet me by my first name.
If you continue running while experiencing shin splints, you put yourself at risk of first: muscle trauma, and then eventually the constant pounding on your leg bones (bone trauma) will lead to small stress fractures in your tibia and fibula (your lower leg bones). Rest is needed to repair the cracks. Without the proper recovery measures taken, the cracks grow and become a fracture.
So this morning, I made C25k attempt #2 happen (I am determined!)
I admit, I’m shakin’ in my shoes to see the outcome or how far I can get this time. We will see…
Shin splints can be caused by many things:
- improper stretching
- lack of warm-up
- training too hard
- increasing mileage too quickly
- running or jumping on hard surfaces
- muscle imbalance between posterior and anterior leg
- worn out shoes that do not have enough support
- running tilted or slanted surfaces
- other biomechanical issues
I will have to take this one try at a time until I succeed with figuring out why I failed the first time-physically failed, that is.
I do believe and have been told that I am quite “heavy footed”. With this in mind I do think I need to change-up my gait. I tend to land on my heels instead of my forefeet and am paying much more attention to my landings and posture this time around so I hope it helps.
You can view a good video sample of before and after ”heel striking” here.
Also, I think I am due for a new pair of tennis shoes as well. You should replace your sneakers every 6 months.
