No Motivation...

When the warm weather hit An Arbor, I did not have any motivation to start running again. I did some inside running, but just didn't seem to want to jump into it. I am nervous to be honest. I dont want to injure myself again. Plus with school and final projects I am unable to dedicate myself to running.

More specifically, I would get discouraged easily only running about 1 mile every session, but on the other hand, I could bike for 40 minutes--the commute to school and be completely satisfied with that workout. Hitting two birds with one stone!

The commute to school:

Packard sucks! I have two routes.

1) Take State --> Stadium -->Washtenaw -->Platt -->Packard-->EMU total: 15.1 miles

This route allows myself to avoid that transition from Eisenhower to Packard. Almost died there one day. Plus the road to incredibly bumpy and unable to successfully ride efficiently to class

2) Drive (against my new goal) to Gallup Park, ride the B2B to Eastern. total: 16.9 miles

Beautiful route through the woods and somewhat decent road. Almost got hit at the Dixboro transition from trail to road by WCC.

Note to self: Do NOT "guess" what the traffic lights are doing.

Hit count: 2 Wipe out count : 3

Biking:

Biking is fantastic. Meeting new people, discovering new routes. Commuting to school is not bad at all. The only thing that bothers me is sitting in class semi-tired and sweaty, then I get cold because I sweat so much, the cool down is great until I am back to normal. Then I have to layer up!

Summer Goals:

1) Eventually no car use

2) Triathlon

3) Be running 6 milers

4) Loose those body fat, lower 5-8 %

5) Bike up north

Overall: Waiting for school to be done, and hopefully get back to running. New running shoes, new season.

Theres a chick in my class who was a CC runner for most of her life. She was like me, always wanted to go for a run, needed to go for runs. She was running in thw winter, fell on some ice. Now has 3 pins in her ankle and a metal plate somewhere. She is in a cast and unable to run for 6 months. I CANT complain!

Its NOT a stress fracture!

Chapter 3- Diagnosis & physical therapy.

I now can go down the stairs without my shin/leg hurting! That’s a good thing right?

I went to for the Free Running Clinic, a wonderful PT helped me treat or begin to fix what I had done to my leg.

Use the diagram above.

Probility Here it goes:

The muscles attached or near the fibula are "stuck" to the bone and move with it for support. Basically I dealt with shin splints before, but that time the muscles of the "extensor digitrum longus" aka outer shin muscle was being stressed from a) bad support b) not strong enough shin muscles c) running down hill/pounding of the foot and leg.

With this said, the first shin splint "episode" was called Anterior Compartment Syndrome--shin splints. Small fractures of the bone due to the stress of the muscle and it pulling away from the bone. After healing from that I got new and efficient support. This gave

1) More arch support

2) More power to my stride

3) Motion control shoe to stabilize me feet from over pronating.

My muscles felt better. However, due to the fact that I was running a lot on "bad shoes" or inefficient support (arch pain/taping and extra movement) cause my muscles to adjust to the problems---which the body is supposed to do. THEN, with the new support and gear, my body needed to readjust and accommodate itself to the new stuff. So as this was happening two things occurred.

1) Mileage went up too quick

2) Less days of running, but longer run periods. (ie: not running everyday, but 3xweek 7-8.5 miles each run)

Thus causing more time, stress, and exercise on the attempting to readjust muscles. This made them (the muscles) UN happy. Basically I did not allow my body to adjust without extra strain and stress caused by my increased mileage and running time.

Bad move Betty.

NOW, the next chapter begins.

My quads and thighs have exploded in my opinion. A friend said, "When you walked towards me, your legs/things look great, super muscular!!!"

a) I was flattered

b) Slightly embarrassed--but I mean come one I’ve been on the bike for a month now!

Continuing with explaining my "diagnosis"...

As you can see on the diagram above, the soleus located on the back part of your calf muscles (there are different names and other muscles back there too, I just don’t know all of them :-o) this muscle was the muscle that was adjusting itself when I had bad support and when I had new good support. This strain on the muscle with the incorporation of extra use caused it to pull back toward my heel/back part of my calf. This is a natural thing the human body does---it was: bulking: up to support, so the muscles pulled back. This caused a pain in my lower front shin. As of right now the SOLEUS is damaged and that is the pain.

I assume.... to be continued.

Anyways.

Got new shoes.

Best 140 I’ve ever spent. Now I can spin inside with actual spinning shoes. Boo-yaw

Now that I'm broke, it’s a good day.

Note to whom ever reads/to runners:

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY, I feel like runners are notorious for this. We run, and don’t stop. If you have pain, play it safe, rest. Don’t do what I did.

Second, follow the 10% rule. Increase total mileage and daily miles by 10%, this allows your body to adjust to the stress that is put on it.

So much homework. But the dog was here to distract me. Being a teacher takes a lot of work and time.

New bike, new training session. Thats what I am looking forward too!

I'm really good at swimming now. I've discovered I have to kick with my hips---More power and pull. As well as I need to learn how to do the "dragging" drills, where you drag your fingers to get your elbows up.

the shin hurts, going down the stair, walking, speed walking, on the elliptical, when will it feel normal???

Here it is. the deadly schedule for the spring.

1) must stick with 10% increase in total milage to avoid injury

2) bike and swim for recovery

3) strengthen leg and hips

4) Listen to my body--if something hurts, STOP, and heal

Went on the Pre-core elliptical the other day---my shin hurt. Thats not a good sign--and easy cardio machine, and my injury hurts. STRESS FRACTURE FOR SURE right?

Im already sick of biking and swimming :(

It may mean not running, but its a new chapter.

After researching and attempting to diagnose this problem I've been dealing with, I have come to the conclusion of "Hey, it'll be rough at first, but lets look at the bright side right?" I mean it means no running---alright, so now I turn the page and begin chapter 2. Chapter one was run, run and be free. Chapter two--focus on biking and swimming. For biking this means getting a bike and actually getting out on the roads. For swimming this means working on my technique, stroke, and speed. I need to learn to breathe on both sides as well as strengthen my right foot----some weird tendon is pulling after a certain amount of swimming/kicking.

So Chapter 2---a new start. Keep my muscle I've created, and work on strengthening my arms, abs, and quads. I plan to get up to par for the new biking season.

goals-

Swim 4-5 times a week, 1-2.5 miles each swim, about 40-55 laps, which means 2000-2500 meters

Biking- only indoors for now. 30-55 minute sessions ~ about 8-20 miles

Free Weights and machines- 20-30 minutes, arms, biceps, triceps, shoulders, back etc.

Abs- crunches and continue to strengthen core

Once pain goes away in shin begin to stability and strengthen the tendons and muscles in ankle and knees.

Stretch and ice/massage in between to continue healing process.

Phew, sound good guys?

its going to be LEGEND---wait for it----DARY! thank you barney stinsen...

I've hit a wall

I have hit a wall. I worked so hard to where I am in running, and with the pain in my right shin continuing I took a recovery week. The pain kept pestering me, and now I am worried. After a week and a half off---I am unable to run. A shooting pain is in my shin when I begin to do a brisk walk.

People have said it's most likely a stress fracture. Since the pain in pin pointed in my area, and has not gone away---its mostly likely not shin splints.

Its part my fault. A) I ran a lot on a bad leg.... B) ran a lot on bad support.

So now here I am sad as ever. Because my "Quest for a marathon" has been put on hold.

My remedies:

1) No running for 1 or 2 months

2) ice

3) massage my shin as much as I can

4) go to my doc, x-rays??

5) lots of biking and swimming, and weight

6) Take off the winter, start back up in the spring.

Months and months of miles, gone.

What I am worried about:

1) will this happen again?

2) How long do I wait?

3) Whats wrong with me? haha

4) Im going to loose so much muscle from this recovery

5) To be honest, watching people run and what not has made me really sad...im kinda bummed out :(

6) Will I be ready for this summers race??

7) When lace armstrong broke his collar bone, how did he recovery so strongly. I mean I understand it takes time and I am used to running everyday---but I mean hes always needing to be training--how did he stay in shape for cycling with a broken collar bone??

When the steam rises from your shoes...

Steam...
I knew that I had a great run--when I took off my shoes outside of my car to change into my boots, I saw steam rising from my shoes. Incredible, and so interesting at the same time.

The battle with the shin splints...

Recently my right shin has been bothering me, it has kept me from running the last couple of days. However, I rested, swam, biked inside, and was back on the road today. Incredible day, I thought it would of been a lot colder, but it turned out to be pretty warm for 14-16 degrees and sunny!

I use to run in dexter, the country roads, and beautiful no traffic atmosphere. However, from running from my house (in dexter) I would have to immediately start with going down a hill. :-/ As cool as that is, it ruins my shins from the start. I used to be able to do a 8.5 mile run in Dexter, but due to recent shin problems from christmas, I try to avoid an accident waiting to happen.

Ace Deuce-

So now Ann Arbor is the spot. I run through down town, I run on the busy roads (Almost getting hit by a car count:5). I just love it. I see people and they clearly don't see me---for instance today a man from where I work, (an 80 yr old still weight lifting and going strong!!) always says hi to me at work, honked at me today when I was running! It was the motivation I needed as well as it put a smile on my face.

The Seasons and Michigan's Terrible weather...

Now to me, summer running is nice, I sweat unbelievably more than others (its healthy), I just get too hot too quick. But I love the sun. Fall Running on the other hand was spectacular! The cool temperatures and the beautiful colors of the leaves. The rain---wasn't so great. But just visibly seeing the leaves change throughout this season---allowing me to get a lot of miles in ;).

Something inspirational is stated below...

Finally, winter. The season of well I found this quote online "Winter is nature's way of saying, "Up yours." ~Robert Byrne

I agree with that, only on one occasion, driving. Driving is terrible when the snow comes down. However running, that is a complete different story. I had a fellow runner state an interesting observation or opinion about winter--how its a balance and finding the right amounts of layers, with chap-stick, and blah blah...can't remember exactly everything he said (sorry Remi, clearly I cant quote), but I agree with him. It is totally a balance thing, when you have the right amounts of layers, and hats, gloves, and leggings, you can peel off layers, or take your gloves off to feel the cold on your hands. Something inspirational like that.

But today I ran 7.8 miles. The cold was nothing! But, the amount of layers was perfect. I was hot from working hard, but I didn't need anything bulky or heavy. My hat and back were soaked by the end, but great day.

The gear...

Finally the new inserts. When first started to run (mentioned in previous post 3-4 miles here and there) I had neutral shoes, just normal Asics, however as I began to run more---I began to have arch pain. SO, I started to tape my arch. It helped tremendously! Then I got use to that, and shin splints came into the picture!! So I just kept taping my foot. It became a BATTLE with the tape. If I didn't tape it right, I would have pain. Some good days and some bad days of taping. Oo, the those where the days of fall. THEN, I talked to some fellow workers, and they said come get fitted at a running store. SO I did, and Now I have these shoes. Saucony Stabil. See picture. O my, how these shoes have a) increased my milage, b) made my feet feel better.

Continuing after the new shoes, I was taping with the Stabil shoes. O it did wonders. Then the pain/shin splints made another appearance. So I went back to the store. "Powersteps" inserts were my next experiment. Iw ore them around the house, at work in my Stabil shoes. FANTASTIC support, for cheap $$ (compared to professional orthotics which can be so much money) and light weight. Thus this leads this story to now. I ran today with the new inserts. HOLY MOLY, great. No tape either. That use to be my security blanket, if I must say so.

I look goofy...the gear helps, it makes me look like I know what I'm doing...which it true sometimes.

So now the journey of "surviving winter" continues.

Happy Running everyone.