NSV running 7:45 pace!!!!

lisanhorowitz

Two years ago I was an avid runner. I ran for high school track and ended up getting MVP and competing in the state competition my junior year for cross country, breaking two school records and competing in the national competition for indoor track. This year was my senior year and my time to really shine. Enter chronic shin splints. I tried icing and physical therapy, X- rays, MRIs and eventually I had to sit out for my cross country season. Sitting out I gained about 10 lbs and still continued to have shin pain. Next came the indoor track season. I didn't allow myself to sit out, but running was PAINFUL. I'm not talking about the mental pain I can push through, but the physical agony associated with shin splints that won't go away. I went from a 20:22 5k to a 21:59. A 5:34 mile to a 5:56, and a 2:30 800 to a 2:37. It was tough, I didn't think my shins would get better. I had planned to run in college, but my dreams were quickly shattering before my eyes. When the seasons changed so did my lifestyle. I hit the gym harder with low impact cardio exercises (and I've been weight training for about 5 years), and changing up my diet. I'm slowly losing the weight I gained, but today I went on my first run since Feb. 19 (exactly one month ago). I just went out because I overate my calories, and I ended up running 3.43 miles in 26:48 which translates to 7:44 per mile. That's a significant improvement from my in season 10 min miles. I feel so great and no shin pain!