Marathon Training--Ouch!

So, I am doing a marathon this summer--yay!  Scared, but excited.  I decided to find a coach/team for the help and motivation.  I am so fortunate that the amazing Teresa Nelson has decided to start her own business (TN Multisports) and do specific training for MY marathon (not the official name, but probably what I will be calling it).  To learn more about Teresa and TN Multisports go here.  

Anyway, so I signed up with Teresa and went to my first workout last week. It was cold and drizzly outside, but I wouldn't let myself that as an excuse (believe me I tried!).  So, I got there and met everyone and started out.  Within about 10 minute of the warm up my shins started to hurt.  Ughh!  I haven't had much shin pain lately and was really hopeful about it.  I did about a mile and half and then Teresa sent me home.  I was bummed but tried not to let it get me down.  I went home and iced as instructed.

Apparently I have shin splints likely caused by excessive tightness in my calves and an imbalance in strength between my shin and calf muscles.  So, I am keeping impact activities to a minimum, icing my shins like crazy, getting massages, stretching, and all of that good stuff.  I am frustrated, but really working hard not to get too upset!

I decided to get new shoes just in case they were contributing to the shin problems.  The folks at Road Runner Sports were awesome!  Bruce spent about 1 1/2 hours with me and I walked out with a cute new pair of Brooks Trance Running Shoes and Superfeet Berry Premium.  I will probably go back soon for some compression socks and I need a new hat :) 

On Saturday I met with the group again for the "longer" run.  We met at Discovery Park in Magnolia, which is beautiful. I was the only slow one there, so I set out on my loop solo. I alternated between jogging and walking and my shins hurt, but don't seem to be getting any worse.  I completed the 2.8 mile loop (it took me as long as it took some others to run that loop twice--but who's comparing?).  I did my best to enjoy the scenery and be happy that I could be out there at all.  I am still frustrated with my stupid shins, but not going to let it get me down.  I mean, 2.8 miles is nothing to sneeze at!

So, the training will continue.  Track workout tomorrow night and then "long" run on Saturday.  In between I am still strength training and using the elliptical for cardio. I have to do an anaerobic threshold test this week, which seems a little scary, but I will be good.