Yesterday, I posted a Wordless Wednesday on the potential that I may have shin splints. I am absolutely devastated by these turn of events, considering how hard I have been training in the lead up to Run Melbourne 2013.
I was never a runner and my decision to start running was partially fuelled by my boyfriend. He had always wanted someone to run with and we tried this a long time ago. I barely made it 100m before I was absolutely breathless and giving up. Fast forward to last week when we managed (more like struggled) to run 5km along the beach with a little break at the mid point. Then fast forward again to a few days ago, where we actually ran 6km together without stopping. 6 KILOMETRES! WITHOUT STOPPING! All the caps lock and bold font in the world cannot emphasise how huge this was for the both of us. Yet maybe it was my persistence and determination that became my downfall. I had ramped my running up so quickly in such a short amount of time that my body started to freak out. It freaked out big time.
Being in slight pain during the run, I thought, was always normal. It was the kind of pain that I would only notice I paid it any attention. When my shin started to hurt after my run, I knew something something wasn’t right. Especially given the fact that it was only my right leg that would hurt. If I had done a proper workout, assuming I did it correctly, surely I would be sore in both legs. The more longer distances I ran, the longer it would hurt after I had finished. It was not until we did our massive, super amazing and awesome 6km run that I knew I needed to rest my shin. After that run, we drove down to the shops for some dinner and my right leg decided it did not want to hold any weight without being in excruciating pain. I was not amused.
When my trainer aka my boyfriend, told me that I would probably need to take a break from running for a couple of weeks (which also meant the Run Melbourne), I cried. I had worked so hard towards my goal of running the whole 5km for Run Melbourne 2013. I could do it! I know I could. But he is right about not wanting to do any long term damage. There will be other races to run. So I guess I will truly be hobbling through the race on the 21st! Hopefully when I see my doctor on Monday, he will be able to give me some good news and that all I need is a week of rest and I can run my 5km race. Until then, I am hoping that the ice packs, massages and deep heat will do something in alleviating this pain.
Dr Ashley Ng 
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