Back...for real

I'm finally back to running.

My post-injury goal was to be running again by June 15th, since that was exactly 3 months before the Air Force Marathon. I was able to start back on the 11th, but I still didn't fully understand my shin splints until the 13th when I was volunteering at a water stop for a trail run. The guy working with me gave me some leg exercises with a paint can hanging from my foot. It strengthens the shin muscles to balance the calf growth that occurs in a new runner.

I've also changed the way I run, taking shorter steps and landing mid-foot with my body weight over top, not behind, my foot.

Any pain that was left is nearly gone, and I'm building my endurance back up, but still only at about 1/2 my previous time/distance I was running in March. I keep adding 1/4-mile every few days, so my body is getting used to it again. I'm sure I can be ready by September 15th, and I want to be down to 199 pounds by then.

More than 13 miles last week, running every day.

Over 160 miles for the year. Should have been a lot more, but I can't change that now.

2012

For a few months,  I really thought this was going to be a great year. I was running 3-5 days a week. I lost 25 pounds. I got more hours at work.

It's disheartening how quickly things can turn around.

I've been dealing with shin issues since mid-March. Every time I think it's healed, it starts to hurt again. I've gained 5 pounds back. I'm losing my job. Then today I managed to break both the outside water faucet AND my lawnmower (I tried to go too close to a stump and got the blade stuck. Now it makes noise and vibrates severely).

It's a bit overwhelming.

5 months

I've only run once this month. Only April 1st I ran 4.6, but the first mile caused some shin splint pain. I've taken some real time off to rest, but I was concerned about a stress fracture. X-rays didn't show anything, so I'm on Naproxen through the end of the week, only biking and walking on occasion. My weight loss has halted, so I'm going to have to work harder on the nutrition side (hoping to run the 10K at 200 pounds in 151 days. Will be about 50 pounds less than I was January 1st.)

I also bought a pair of compression sleeves for my calves. Supposed to help with shin splints. Increased blood flow and reduced vibration. I'm hoping this is the end of this problem because I really need to get back on my feet and log some miles. Can't wait to pass 5 miles.

Two weeks

...in one post.
My shin pain has gone on longer than I expected...I think my insistence in returning to running every couple of days kept it from healing as quickly as it could.

March 18-24
Only a couple of runs, tying to keep off the leg.

20th - 2.4

24th - 4.25

6.65 for the week

March 25-31

25th - 3.5

28th - 4

31st - 4.6

12.1 for the week

138.9 for the calendar year

Also got my bicycle out after a long hiatus and rode 8.75 on the 29th.

Hopefully I can pick up the pace a little next week. New running shorts arrived in the mail today, too.

3/11 - 3/17

Had to nurse a shin splint this week. Didn't want to take any chances after reading about hairline fractures, etc. Plus I didn't want to be sore for the fun run Saturday. First time really running with other people. There were plenty of people in front, but also plenty behind. It was quite a confidence boost to still have the energy to pass people on the last 1/2 mile and really stretch out my stride.

3/11/2012 3
3/13/2012 4
3/16/2012 2.25
3/17/2012 3.1

Week: 12.35

Year: 120

181 days to go

3/4 - 3/10

Weekly summary:

3/4/2012 3.6

3/5/2012 3.6

3/6/2012 3.3

3/8/2012 2.4

3/9/2012 4

3/10/2012 4

Week: 20.9

Calendar year: 107.9 miles

Next Saturday is the St. Patrick's Day 5K/10K fun run.

188 days until the Air Force 10K. I feel like I'm ahead of schedule, but that's good. Still more than 6 months to go. Hopefully I'l be 30 pounds lighter by then.

Gazelle

I think today was the first time someone I knew saw me running. At least someone that told me about it. I was told I looked like a ninja. Most of my cold-weather running clothes are black, so I always try to finish up before sunset. It reminded me of a time in college when we were walking to dinner and we always had to cross the street to get to the cafeteria. It was autumn and my hands were in my jacket pocket when I ran across the road. Despite being 6' 3" and 215 pounds, and only having 2 legs, one of the guys from my floor insisted I looked like a gazelle bounding across the street, so he called me that for quite awhile afterwards.