Motivation to Push through the Pain

ivyjbres
ivyjbres Posts: 612 Member
edited October 3 in Fitness and Exercise
And I do mean PAIN! I ran all through high school, I know the difference between discomfort and pain. This is Pain.

I've been trying to run, apparently with crappy running shoes. So I have shin pain, complete, unmitigated, feel it with every fiber of my being PAIN. So I haven't been running as much as I should.

I signed up for a 5K a little while ago thinking that a deadline would help motivate me (I call myself the procrastinator extraordinaire). And I really don't want to waste that $20, especially since I could have bought groceries with it had I exercised some forethought.

So this 5K is a week away, and I still want to run. But my shoes are crap, and I don't get paid until 2 days after the race. So its run with these shoes or not at all. I'm only 3 days into C25K (when I should be 3 weeks in at least), and have asthma.

I really don't know what to do.

Do I kiss my $20 goodbye and buy some new shoes on payday and start all over then?
Or do I somehow force myself through a week of training for this race, in which, I will no doubt, be the fat chick in the back?

And if its the latter, how do I do that? How do I train myself in a week, and how do I get my mind past the pain?

Replies

  • ekpainter
    ekpainter Posts: 2
    I'm no expert, but if it hurts I'd stop. I also wouldn't run without proper shoes as you may go on to give yourself long term problems. I know this isn't very motivational, especially as it sounds like you really want to get on with it, but those would be my concerns. Maybe try some non-weight bearing exercise like swimming or cycling until you can afford your new shoes and then review how fit you feel for the 5K. I do understand your frustrations. I was on week 7 of C25K and started getting pain in my ribs which stopped my sleeping. I've stopped running for a week and now have decided to go back to week 6. Hope this helps.
  • quietlywinning
    quietlywinning Posts: 889 Member
    Pain is a message. Translation: STOP. Don't destroy your body in a quest to "get healthier".

    Even with new shoes, you may need physical therapy, a personal trainer or a massage therapist to get your body back in proper balance so that you can run without pain. Stopping for PT might set you back on the progress timetable you wanted, but it won't set you back nearly as much as a serious injury.

    The $20 is gone, whether you run the 5K or not. Let it go. Don't sell your body for $20.
  • wanderlust3
    wanderlust3 Posts: 26
    It sounds like you are really determined, and I applaud you for that. But it also sounds to me like you have shin splints, and the only treatment for those nasty little buggers is rest. Continuing to run on them will exponentially increase the time it takes to heal (trust me, I know - I played an entire soccer season with shin splints once, and wow did I regret it). It's not wimping out to listen to what your body is telling you, it's just another part of living a healthy lifestyle. Ice, anti-inflammatories, arch supports (or just new shoes) can all help, but shin splints won't go away without rest.

    Definitely try other non load-bearing exercises in the meantime. Swimming if you have access to a pool, rowing machines, or biking will help to keep you in shape, plus the cross-training might actually improve your running! Gentle walking might be okay too, but try to do it on grass or a track rather than pavement. I'd look into some new shoes and maybe check with a doctor, because some shin splints (definitely not all) can be caused by hairline fractures, and also because he/she might be able to give you some basic physical therapy exercises or other good advice to help them heal.

    Don't get discouraged! Be proud of what you've accomplished so far, and take this as an opportunity to work some muscle groups that might be getting neglected with all that running.
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