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Yummy, gummy, sugary sustenance.
1/16/10 retro: I ran 12 miles with shin splints. Right before I got to the Northeastern Rowing Club house, I had to stop and stretch, but stretching is futile. Coach Rick stopped to evaluate my condition and suggested I roll my foot in circles to loosen up my ankles. From now until marathon day, I will need to ice and elevate my legs after my workouts to reduce inflammation. I hope/pray it doesn't get worse. Coach Rick reminded me that this is the mind/body conflict. That I needed to not focus on the pain and to push through it. Whenever my mind wanted to think negative thoughts, "I don't know if I can run another mile let alone finish 7 more miles," I thought about the marathon and my fundraising efforts. I told the coach that all I could think of is to walk at the end of the 12 miles and just thinking of finishing this run. He said to remain in the present. I took up his advice and taking pictures along my run got my mind off the throbbing, stabbing pain in my legs and next thing I knew it, I had 1 more mile to go. I practiced run/walk the last mile.
It was pretty balmy weather for runners and I wore way too many layers. Luckily, I had a camelbak with plenty of water to keep me hydrated. We had 2 water stops for 12 miles and I knew it wouldn't have been enough to keep me going.
1/18/10 retro: I was supposed to run 3 easy miles, and I could only accomplish 0.50 miles because the shin splints felt like they are going snap my tibia in half. So, I switched to stairmaster for 45 minutes, which didn't help as I was still pounding on the machine. :-/
I read when recovering from shin splints, it is best to use this progression before returning to road running: Water Running --> Cycling --> Stair Master --> Treadmill --> Road Running.
I'll assess at the end of the week to see if my legs are healing. I'm so close to completing half marathon status!!
Quote of the Day: "Live boldly, follow our dreams, take risks, look after our friends, and smile when the mountain is the steepest." - Bear Grylls
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