12 Miles of Physical Pain, but remain Optimistic

12 Miles: Out to Arsenal and Back, Boston side of the Charles River. 

                                    

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