Shin Splints & Finding a Routine

Well this past week of training has been a slight struggle.  As I explained in my post last Wednesday, I'm struggling to get back into the training routine.  So that is definitely what I am focusing on this week!  Last Thursday on my run I started having really bad pain in my shins.  It felt like shin splints which I didn't have any problems with last time I trained.  I haven't had issues with shin splints since I was like 12 and in gymnastics.  I was supposed to run 4 miles but only made it a little more than 3 miles because I was in too much pain.  I went home and did some ice massage.  I started thinking that maybe I need new shoes.  So, when I go to KC I am going to go to Gary Gimbles running store with my best friend Pikul (who gets a discount there :) yay!) and try to find a new pair.  I was hoping that I wouldn't have to get new shoes until further on in my training, but that's alright.

Friday I was only supposed to run 2 miles which went alright, my shins still bothered me a little, but not as bad as the day before.  I did some yoga afterwards and drank tons of water and had a nice chicken and veggie dinner to prepare for my "long run" on Saturday which was only 5 miles but I still wanted to be prepared.

So, I woke up early on Saturday and got ready to run!  I felt great and was excited to get on my way.  Well...it was not great.  I really struggled.  I was not able to get into my zone.  I was out of breath and exhausted early on.  I was really bored and just could not stop thinking about how much I was struggling!  It was horrible!!  Then my shins started burning and aching at mile 1.5.  I was able to push myself until 3 miles then I had to walk a little bit.  I walked until 3.5 then ran one more mile and then had to stop.  I was in too much pain.  I was really disappointed in myself.  But I'm trying to stay positive as it is still early in my training.

I took Sunday off and did yoga yesterday to give myself a little break.  Today I ran my 3 miles as scheduled.  I was feeling a little nervous, but anxious to get it done and hoping to feel good after.  It actually went pretty well.  I hit a bit of a lull after about 1.5 miles but luckily right at that time my "power song," "Down with the sickness" can on and I pushed through and finished the second half of my run pretty easily!  My shins didn't bother me at all which I was really happy about.

This week is a busy one as the whole beginning of July will be.  I am moving out of my apartment tonight/tomorrow and back in with my parents for the month of July before moving into a new apartment in August with a friend from school.  I am excited about moving in with her, but I hate the hassle of moving!  On top of that, I leave for KC for 2 weeks on Saturday.  I will be babysitting for a little over a week for a family I babysat for while in school down there.  I am very excited to be down there and see some of my great friends that I don't get to see nearly enough!  I am going to have to work hard though and stay on track training.

Thank you again for your support!  As always, I would appreciate any donation you could give!  Visit my page: http://pawschicago.kintera.org/teampawschicago2011/kellymcdonough