Shin Splints

I've had shin splints for most of my life. They started way back in volleyball in middle school. I remember complaining to my parents about pain whenever we'd do jumping drills (i.e. bunny hop type things over the court lines on the floor for up to a min). Dad ended up buying me a wrap that I'd wrap around my shin and wear it underneath my knee sock. This would seem to help except for the times where I would wrap it too tight and my foot would start to go numb. I never really did anything to try and get rid of the pain. I may have iced but I don't remember ever being strict about it at the age of 13. And then I didn't make the volleyball team sophomore year of high school and thought my life was over.

But then I ran a local 5k and running became my new obsession. I don't recall when my shin splints started up again in high school. I mostly just remember running through pain and taking ice baths at school in the training room. I would sometimes take it easy in speed workouts, especially sprints. My coach told me to never wear flip flops so I always wore my running shoes at school. I do remember both Mom and Dad trying to motivate me to be rehabbing and to do calf raises on the stairs to strengthen them. I'd always fight them because of how painful it was. I remember not really liking my spikes because running in them hurt my shins. I remember bringing icy hot to every meet and being that girl (every time I smell it now it brings me back). Having this chronic pain was a reason why I had no desire to run collegiately. I was tired of the pain and didn't run much after high school. I got back into running for a short time entering some races, but never doing anything over a 5k.

I didn't really get back into the sport until I became obsessed with triathlon. I'd foam roll and ice but I was never super disciplined about it and I think training in three sports instead of one really helped. I'd feel some pain here and there but it was never horrible. Then cut to marathon training. It was about 4 weeks into our plan and I could feel the pain in my left shin coming back. I was able to think about it differently being in massage school and knowing the anatomy of the area. I took a week off and should have cross trained but didn't. The pain went away and this was thanks to getting structural massages on my calves almost twice a week at school.

Then this weekend, Tyler and I had our "short" long run of 12 miles. I was all ready to go and was limping to the kitchen. While my oatmeal cooked in the microwave, I stood their contemplating whether or not I should run. I wanted to, but my gut was telling me I shouldn't. I texted Tyler and told her I'd cross train instead. She was supportive and smashed the run herself!!

And now I'm here with my left calf elevated on the couch because I've found that R.I.C.Eing and those darn calf raises has really helped alleviate some pain. And while writing this it's making me think how having the strength to take a rest day is just as hard as having the strength to finish a race. It's hard as a runner to take a day off, but I've come to listen to my body more than I ever had in high school.