A Small Success

rhindon

When I started on MFP earlier this week, I felt very discouraged about the physical aspect of the whole thing. I get winded easily and thought running was not for me. Even when I was in college, if I ran for any kind of distance, the fronts of my shins would hurt really badly, and I was in good shape then.

Wednesday, I told my 11 year old daughter that I wanted to do this Couch to 5-K thing. She wants to do it with me, so we did the first workout of week one Wednesday evening. I didn't die, and my shin pain hasn't shown up yet. Mind you, this was alternating 60 seconds of jogging with 90 seconds of walking, but eight circuits. We did it after sundown, so I wasn't even super hot either, though I was seriously concerned at the beginning and very winded. But I did it, and I felt good that I could complete it.

Roll around to today. She's at her dad's this weekend, so I have to do it without her. I went to a running store to get advice on a good shoe so I don't injure myself. They video taped me running on a treadmill (30 seconds) and then they slow-mo it to analyze your "gait" see how you actually "strike" the ground and if you roll on your foot on one side or the other. He said I'm a forefoot striker and that's a good thing. I got the impression most people land heel first and that's where some of the roll to one side or the other comes from. He said a forefoot striker is actually naturally a little faster because of the way that you land and there's less impact on your ankle and such the way I run. Hooked me up with some shoes and some socks I'd asked about and I was out the door.

Came home, put away the groceries, stretched, and out the door I went. And it was a little easier. I don't think the shoes had a lot to do with that, but still. I felt better this time so I pushed myself harder on my last sixty seconds of jogging. Now I'm starting to think that I can do this and maybe be a runner after all. We'll see how my shins feel as I build up the distance I'm actually running, but they feel good so far.

breeanreyes

great job! it sounds like you get shin splints, which is where your muscles actually detach from your shin bone. You can prevent these by stretching your shins, calves and feet out REALLY well before and after each workout. To stretch your shins, kneel down and rest your but on your heels (if they touch) with the tops of your feet flat on the floor. Put your hands on the floor for support at your sides and slowly lean back and pull your knees off the ground so your weight is mostly on your feet (this is going to burn like hell and don't push it very far the first few times) support as much of your weight as you need to with your hands. Do this before and after your runs along with calf and feet stretches (don't forget your thighs either) this will help keep you in good shape! If you do still get shin splints, put your feet/legs straight out in front of you, point your toes and have someone gently push on the tops of your feet.. this helps get your muscles to re-attach to your shins! hope this helps... oh yeah, and ICE your shins anytime you get pain in them, the inflammation is causing most of it!

rhindon

Oh, thank you sooo much for the info. I had no idea.

rhindon

Well, I didn't feel AS good this morning, but I still did it, so I'll take it as a victory anyway. I didn't work as hard, I can tell by my heart rate monitor's readout on calories burned. But the alternating between jogging (my jog pace is still minimal) and walking is putting me between target zones so I'm getting a blend of things. I think this will take me more than the nine weeks. I'm going to repeat week one and see how I'm doing after three more workouts.

No shin splints yet, but I may have just jinxed myself.

fiberartist219

Some days are easier than others, and I think you have the right mentality about this. For me, any workout is a victory too, just because I got up and did it. They do get easier after awhile.

rhindon

I agree. This has been the heaviest I've ever been, so I know in my head it will take some time to feel good. I'm also an immediate gratification type person that wants everything as soon as I think of it. Patience is a difficult thing for me to learn. :grumble: