My Treadmill is My Most Prized Possession

definitley hit up Rad for advice. I hope it's not a shin splint. I know putting off serious training (too many miles too fast) has flaired up my piriformis/hamstring thing. ICE, is always good...as far as stretching ?? I never have any problems with anything below the knees. And good iron. Go to the healthfood store adn get some Floridix and take 10 ml twice a day. don't take any other kind of iron...this is liquid, it aborbs fast and I gurantee it's what you need. I can't wait to see you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I took so long when I was needed :)

I would definitely ice it, but my shin splints are on the inside of my leg and not the outside. The best way to ice is fill a paper cup with water and freeze it. Then take it and peel the cup down and ice in circles. As it melts peel more paper down until it's gone. This is called ice massage and is the best way to ice shin splints! To stretch, I would do a simple heel drop calf stretch, but play with pointing your toes in or out (can't figure out which) to get the outer edge of the calf. Then just relax! The best advice I was ever given about marathoning is that you can do NOTHING in the last 2 weeks to help yourself, you can only hurt yourself. The hay is in the barn, you've done the work and even if you don't run another step until the start line you will finish good and strong. So, don't worry - just rest! Until you feel better :)

Oh, and when stretching an injury like this do it for only 1 min 3-4 times per day.

So sorry I haven't checked in on you the last few days...been sick myself...but getting better.

WOW! You've had a busy stressful week!

K, the area you described sounds like a facia strain between the Tibialis anterior and Gastronemius! Running on treadmill with the same repetitive motion is probably the cause. Worn out shoes is another culprit.

You are doing the right thing with massage and ice. It is difficult to stretch a facia or tendon. You can roll out the associated muscles with a foam roller, rolling pin or the stick. At this point, icing alone won't do much. Ice helps the first 24-72 hours to decrease any swelling. After that I would alternate ice and heat, up to 20 min each, three times a day. This facilitates increase circulation to aid in healing. For exercise, you may want to write the alphabets with your foot, just to keep the lower leg muscles loose. Have you used KT tape? It might be helpful. There are You-tube video demonstrations on how to use them. Go to http://www.kttape.com/instructions/shin-splints-anterior/

I am hoping it is just taper madness phantom pain and not an acute injury per say. Please tell me you have been resting and it is already better.

You've put in the work, now's the time to chill.

No worries! Things always work out with the move and such! Take care!

Dear Ladies,

Thanks so much for all the comments and advice. Talked to the sports medicine doc. Two hated words in every runners vocabulary: stress fracture. Bummer. Have been doing nothing as in really nothing (no running, biking, etc.) since last Thursday. The longest stint since I can remember--probably being pregnant was last time--that I haven't exercised AT ALL in 5 days. The good news is I am taking it fairly well. Doc says I should be okay to run the race as in "it cant get any worse so long as you plan on taking 6-8 weeks off after doing cross-training; don't just cut down on mileage that never works." To which I respond, "6-8 weeks? I have another marathon in 8 weeks." To which he responds, "Well, then you can just keep running until you get serious fracture then I have to put a boot on you to immobilize you." Oh well. Those doctors; never understand us crazy runners. The good news is (a) no need to stress over racing and getting a PR, now just need to make sure me and Luz finish before they kick us off the course and the decision has been made for me (b) this allows me to experiment with a whole new level of tapering called "no running for 10 days straight before the race." RAD--I am taking your advice VERY seriously about the 2 weeks before and not taking a single step. SMOOTH I am definitly going to look into the taping, though I don't know if it will help a stress facture of the fibula? In other good news, Scott cheerfully informs me that even if the bone ends up breaking, it is so small that usually they don't even surgerize and fix it. not sure what they do do? Anyway, all of this to say, life as a long-distance runner is full of suprises and I really am not that bummed and am not that mad because (a) I am still running with my bestest running buddy in 5 days and (b) I will live to run another day, it just comes with the territory or long distance running. Thanks again for all the support! Cath

I am so sorry to hear that you have stress fracture! that just plain stinks! I like your attitude about the whole thing!

They don't do any surgery to pin or fix a simple fracture of the fibula. They do surgery on compound fracture or if the tibia is fractured as well.

KT tape only stabilize the muscles to help alleviate localized pain! It is not strong enough like a boot or cast to immobilize the fracture!

The amazing thing about our body is that it does heal itself! I am glad that you can go ahead and run D.C. with Luz. Take a camera with you to capture the beauty and majesty of the heart of our nation! Sending positive healing vibes your way!!!

Stinkin' crappy do do! A Stress Fracture?!? Is it from shin splints or something else? I know that shin splits can lead to a SF, I'm just still in a stink about this :( (see a BIG pouty face!!!)

I hope you are able to get the pain to a manageable point for National and be able to just relax and enjoy it with Luz. That is what a good out of town race is for anyway, right?

Is it really only 8 weeks from UVM? Isn't that one next for you? Or is it another one I'm forgetting? I will tell you that when I had my SF while I was prego spinning and elliptical kept my cardio right where it needed to be for me to jump right back into running. I actually came back too strong at first and when I had pain again the PT told me "you have to remember it's not your cardio holding you back, it's your injury!" Put me in place - well, that and having to wait another 3 weeks to start again.

Keep the cardio strong and go for time (2 1/2 hours = 15 miles) and you will do just fine in the marathon you're planning on next. Well, your cardio will keep up with you - the legs may be a different story, but keeping it slow and easy will help ease the transition as well.

Good Luck with everything Catherine! Sending love and healing your way.

GOOD LUCK tomorrow! I will be thinking of you and Luz! Please please have lots of fun!