The Official Thread for Runners

[SteelBlue]

Yeah, this is what I'm afraid of. I would really like to not have a stress fracture. Still, I have almost 8 weeks until the marathon so I have time to heal. Nothing will keep me from running this one in particular.

Sounds like medial shin splints to me. I get them occasionally in the same spot and at times have had pain to the touch as you've described. It's nearly always been a result of an increase in mileage or an increase in speed work. Reduction of mileage/speed work has always been the cure for me.

[BigPiney]

I ran the Race to Robie Creek yesterday. It's a half marathon 8.5 miles uphill and then a steep downhill the rest of the way. I nailed it this time. I was hoping to finish under 1:50:00. I made it in 1:38:06.
http://court.fastrunningblog.com/blog-04-16-2011.html

That is flying, nice job.

No running for me, but my wife won a local 10k this weekend while I watched the kids. She ran a 43:10. Looks like I am going to have to get out there and get faster.

[Pheidippides]

The one difference in my injury is that the pain starts out small and gets worse as I run. I never ran farther than 6 miles on it but I'd be surprised if a stress fracture doesn't hurt worse the farther you go. It sounds like your gets better after mile 6.

Yup. I ran 20 on Saturday no problem. First few there was some pain - not enough to affect gait - but finished way strong.

Yesterday I tried to run but pain everywhere. I quit after a mile because of my hip, but I know all about the hip pain, what it is, and how to handle it. I'm a bit ahead of my schedule at this point so I'm going to take some time to rest up and gear up for the final push. Two more twenties if I can manage.

[happyone]

Yup. I ran 20 on Saturday no problem. First few there was some pain - not enough to affect gait - but finished way strong.

Yesterday I tried to run but pain everywhere. I quit after a mile because of my hip, but I know all about the hip pain, what it is, and how to handle it. I'm a bit ahead of my schedule at this point so I'm going to take some time to rest up and gear up for the final push. Two more twenties if I can manage.

This is why I tend to walk and not run lots of miles - I tend to get shin splints and since most of you know why I am out on the road, I don't want to take any time off.

I hope all heals well quickly

[Pheidippides]

Sounds like medial shin splints to me. I get them occasionally in the same spot and at times have had pain to the touch as you've described. It's nearly always been a result of an increase in mileage or an increase in speed work. Reduction of mileage/speed work has always been the cure for me.

Good to know. I have done both recently - this training cycle has been intense. Seeing huge benefits but at the cost of a lot of hard work. A week or two off may be just the thing.

[Eddie]

That is flying, nice job.

No running for me, but my wife won a local 10k this weekend while I watched the kids. She ran a 43:10. Looks like I am going to have to get out there and get faster.

43:10 is pretty fast. I'd LOVE to be able to move that quickly over a 10K.

You've got your work cut out for you if you mean to catch her...

[Moliere]

Finally I have officially confirmed my injury. The bone scan shows a stress fracture in the lower tibia. I'm in a walking boot for 2-3 weeks after which the doctor is hopeful I can start running again (very short distances). She said I didn't need the boot (I have no pain at all) but without it I'm looking at probably 6 more weeks recovery time. I stopped my running 5 weeks ago but obviously have been walking around on the leg. In any case, I hope I can get back to running, even if it is short distances.

Being injured sucks. I'll miss the St. George marathon (not that I got picked but I won't even enter) but I guess I can target Houston or SLC next year.

[Pheidippides]

Finally I have officially confirmed my injury. The bone scan shows a stress fracture in the lower tibia. I'm in a walking boot for 2-3 weeks after which the doctor is hopeful I can start running again (very short distances). She said I didn't need the boot (I have no pain at all) but without it I'm looking at probably 6 more weeks recovery time. I stopped my running 5 weeks ago but obviously have been walking around on the leg. In any case, I hope I can get back to running, even if it is short distances.

Being injured sucks. I'll miss the St. George marathon (not that I got picked but I won't even enter) but I guess I can target Houston or SLC next year.

I'm sorry to hear that. But Houston is a great marathon, and local to boot. It's a lottery system now, though, unless you have run a sub 4hr marathon.

I'm about to hit the road to go running again after taking all week off to let my leg heal up. I'm positive I have just normal shin splints and not a stress fracture, based on what you've said and things I've read.

[Eddie]

Shin Splints.

I ran track in HS, and have read some articles about running and stretching over the last couple of years since I started up again. Surprisingly enough I had a physical therapist show me a stretch a few months back that I hadn't ever seen before that seems to do wonders for my shins when they start up.

I may be slow and the rest of you have probably already been this one, but if not:

Kneel with the tops of your feet lying flat on the ground, toes pointing straight back behind you. Then sit back on your feet.

You can lean back to get more stretch. Lean far enough back and you get a good thigh stretch out of it too.

I'd always heard to stretch your calves for shin splints. I'd never thought there was enough muscle down the front of your shins to really stretch them, but this one gives them a good pull.

[Pheidippides]

I'm out of running for the next month at least. Ran 20 on Saturday and destroyed my left lower calf. Nothing major - still thinking soleus strain - but I'm going to swimming until the marathon just to be sure. Body needs some time to heal after what I've put it through.

[Sea Chicken]

I'm out of running for the next month at least. Ran 20 on Saturday and destroyed my left lower calf. Nothing major - still thinking soleus strain - but I'm going to swimming until the marathon just to be sure. Body needs some time to heal after what I've put it through.

Which marathon are you doing next?

[Pheidippides]

Which marathon are you doing next?

Utah County. Starts near my parent's house so it's kind of a special one. Symbolic of leaving that crummy town too.

If I can heal up my leg I think I can run a 3:40 or even a bit better. I have six weeks to recover, so this is just a super long taper - I got 2 20 milers in before I crashed.

[BigPiney]

That sucks man. My biggest fear in getting ready for a race is getting hurt. My friend last year went out on Tuesday before a 1/2 ironman for a bike ride and a last tune up of the legs. Lady was walking a dog without a leash and it bolted in front of him while he was going 25 mph on a slight downhill. He destroyed his shoulder and couldn't race.

Good Luck to you.

[Pheidippides]

That sucks man. My biggest fear in getting ready for a race is getting hurt. My friend last year went out on Tuesday before a 1/2 ironman for a bike ride and a last tune up of the legs. Lady was walking a dog without a leash and it bolted in front of him while he was going 25 mph on a slight downhill. He destroyed his shoulder and couldn't race.

Good Luck to you.

I don't think this will keep me out. It's painful but not serious. Should be fine on race day. I've been pushing it too hard and it's time to scale back. As long as I keep my cardio up - which swimming will definitely do - I'll be just fine.

[Sea Chicken]

Utah County. Starts near my parent's house so it's kind of a special one. Symbolic of leaving that crummy town too.

If I can heal up my leg I think I can run a 3:40 or even a bit better. I have six weeks to recover, so this is just a super long taper - I got 2 20 milers in before I crashed.

Are you planning to stop running altogether for a while or just back off for a while?