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
