Bummed and Shin Update

I just cancelled my registration for the Rock-n-Roll Marathon.  I have known for a long time that I wouldn't be able to do it because of my shins, but for some reason have put off officially canceling.  I am disappointed.  And the disappointment is generally directed at myself--but I know that it shouldn't be.  I cannot run with my shins this way.  It is just hard.  I want to do it darn it!

But...the good news is that we may have an answer for the shins--Chronic Compartment Syndrome.  Basically the muscles in the shins swell with exercise and the fascia that surrounds the compartment is too small to accommodate the swelling. So, the muscles push on nerves and cause lots of pain.  I went to a specialist and she wanted to rule over thing else out before doing the "official" test for compartment syndrome (since it is painful).  The ruling out has been done, so the only thing left is the painful testing.  I have the test on July 23rd.  I wish that I could have it earlier but the specialist is going to be out of the country serving as the team doctor for some summer games in Belgrade.  

The testing sounds pretty uncomfortable.  Needles are put in the shins to measure pressure.  The doctor tests at rest and then will have me run to make my shins hurt and test again. Sounds fun huh?  Apparently the test is painful, which is why the doctor likes to rule out everything before doing it.  She said that since she is so thorough in the ruling out procedure that she has only had 2 patients that were tested for compartment syndrome and did not have it.  So...changes are, I have compartment syndrome.

The good news is that it is treatable.  The bad news is that the treatment is surgery.  It seems like a relatively simple procedure, so at least that is good.  I assume that I will have the surgery as soon as I can after the diagnosis so that I can get on with training!  Whewww....frustrating!!

Damn Shins!

Seriously...can a girl get a break??  I tried to run today---but my shins hurt :(  I am so frustrated.  I just want to run--is that too much to ask???  Grrrrrr...

The silver lining is instead of pouting, I hopped off the treadmill (after only 10 minutes) and pounded out an hour on the elliptical.  **sigh**

Track Workout

Track Workout tonight.  I am on a modified schedule because of my shins.  Let me just say, some of these people I run with are amazing!  I can't even tell you how many times I was lapped but you know, it didn't bother me tonight.  I was out there doing what I can given the situation and I know that it is going to improve.  I ended up doing part run, part walk and did a total of 3 miles.  I think that my shins hurt a little less than on Saturday's run, so that's something!  

You know, the crazy thing is that I enjoyed the workout tonight, even though I was hurting and on my modified schedule.  Now that is a good thing :)

I'm giving myself  a gold star for the day!

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.

Marathon, marathon, marathon

I have a feeling that marathon is going to be the subject of a lot of my blog postings over the next 6 months. I thought about starting a separate, marathon-specific blog, but that is too much work.  I already have 2 blogs (this one and one that is more focused on CF), and I just don't want to add another one.  So...I guess I am breaking the cardinal rule of blogging by not having a defined and specific focus.  Except that this is all about me and the things that I like, including my creative pursuits and my marathon training!

So...I finished another book on marathon training today.  It was really good and funny. It is called The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais.  I loved it.  Dais decided to run a marathon to raise money for stroke research in honor of her grandfather.  She documents the journey with much humor.  It is a good reminder to not take yourself too seriously!

I also found a training group/coach, which is going to be very helpful for me I think. I need the extra push and accountability.  

Then, I had dinner with my good friend Dana (who is training for her first Ironman in August).  We are so similar it is not even funny!  We even have the exact same gym bag, with the same plastic thingy that held the price tag hanging from the zipper after years :)  She is going to be one of my key cheerleaders during the process and I am going to do that for her as much as I can.  It is so important to have cheerleaders in life--and especially in training for events.  I left dinner with her feeling excited about the training.  

Marathon Training

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.--Lao-tzu.

I am not embarking on 1000 miles, but I am guessing that some time during the training it will feel like 1000 miles. I am getting ready to start my training. Right now I am in the pre-training stage and reading a bunch on running and marathons, looking into running programs, teams, and coaches, and letting the enormity of it sink in. My immediate goals are to start building my running "base" and setting up my training program. First steps.

It's Official

I signed up for the Seattle Rock-n-Roll Marathon today. Honestly, I am scared :) But, I will be okay. It should be a good experience--or at least let's hope it is!!

This is the inaugural event for the Rock-n-Roll Marathon series in Seattle--so it should be fun to be part of that.  

Join me!!  Check it out here!