For most of my life, I’ve been unable to run or do a lot of exercises comfortably. The main issues early on tended to be my knees. While in high school, I was diagnosed with chondromalacia. Now, I don’t know recall if that was a diagnosis based purely on my explaining my symptoms to my doctors or if I had all of the necessary tests run that would prove this was what was causing my knees to hurt so badly. But, all of the symptoms added up and I’ve been addressing it as such since then. I’ve come to learn to live with it and have determined different things I can do to work around the pain.
Several years ago I was told – or perhaps I simply logged on to WebMD and diagnosed myself – the extreme burning sensation in my lower legs was due to shin splints. The shin splints, I was told/determined, were caused by overuse of the muscles surrounding the shin bone (tibia). It all made sense to me at the time. I discontinued whatever fantastic exercise I was attempting and told myself it just wasn’t meant to be. Between the knee pain and the shin pain, I had all but given up on exercising. And giving up was coming along quickly.
If you’ve followed this blog, you know the story already. But, click here if you'd like a recap:
The switch finally went on in my head, enlightening me to the fact I needed to get off the couch. It didn’t really matter what I did, as long as it was off the couch and, preferably, outdoors.
I took the typical steps people in my position would normally take; joined a gym, started watching what I ate, paid attention to how much I sit/stand/walk, saw the doctor so she could confirm I wouldn’t break as I started to stretch and bend things. Just overall health awareness.
At some point, the yearning to run crept into my head and took hold. Not the unrealistic-for-now marathon run, but the simple-it-seemed 5k run, perhaps followed shortly by a 10k run. Then…who knew?
I found a Beginning Running for Women class nearby and signed up. Everything was jolly and I felt I was succeeding until about six weeks into the twelve week program. That’s when the shin splints reared their evil pain again. I’d almost forgotten about them.
After much whining, pushing, stretching, warming up, icing, ibuprofen, heating, massaging, frustration and a couple of tears, I managed to finish the course. I did have to change my pace and watch my footfalls at all times so I wouldn’t make the pain any worse than it had to be.
I always felt – based on my research and what I’d heard from others – I could push through the pain. I thought with continued workouts and continued use of the muscles, the pain would subside somewhat and I would be able to get through the worst and continue my journey on my own terms, rather than have my pain decide my fate.
I felt this wholeheartedly. That’s why I signed up for the Beginning Running for Women class again. I thought if I went back to the beginning and started over, the muscles would become less and less sore with the usage.
My beliefs were proven incorrect. The pain came right back at around six weeks into the twelve week running program. Just as we begin to step up the running times, my shins scream “Stop!”
I finally decided to see a doctor regarding my shin splints. X-rays were taken and my first stop was orthopedics. I understood quickly that orthopedics was not the place I needed to be. Their focus was more on bones and joint issues, it seemed. The x-rays showed there were no fractures – stress, hairline, or otherwise – in my lower legs, so the doctor made an appointment for me with a podiatrist.
After spending only moments with him, having explained my symptoms and after he confirmed there was no discomfort while palpating my lower legs, he suggested another explanation for the pain.
…Continue reading “The Pressure Test?” >>
Tags: age thing, comfort zone, fleet feet, happy place, ramblings, the journey
I’ve hung around me 24/7 for, what seems like, forever.
I have to say, I’m feeling more than a little disappointed.
With the first week under my loosely laced sneakers, I have this to report: I’m an out of shape wimp.
It all started when I joined a gym. That part wasn’t too frightening. Actually going to the gym is another story. I don’t even like to see myself in exercise mode; much less have other lookie loos staring in my general direction while I’m attempting (and, at times, succeeding) to throw one soggy foot over the other on the elliptical machine.
