left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 129)

Go Lena Go!!  Good thoughts headed your way!!  Praying for you too!!  You will rock it girl!!!

Amy,

Shin splints are no fun.  In short, get compression sleeves or new shoes.  

R.I.C.E   Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate!

Ok, so why does your inner leg hurt (Shin Splints)?

The inner bone in your leg is the Tibia.  There are a large number of muscles attached to the Tibia and when overworked pull on the Tibia causing the pain.  The pain gets worse as you fatigue the muscles and they try and hold your ankle, foot, and lower leg in place.  As these muscles get more fatigue, they put a great deal of force on the muscle where it attaches to the bone until you tear the tendon away from the bone causing spin splints.  That is why you can either have a small isolated pain or pain all the way down your leg.  It depends on how big the tear is.  These tears will repair themselves overtime but are very painful. 

Why have shin splits suddenly appears when you have been running for awhile.  The answer: you have changed something in your gait causing muscles not really used before to be put in place.  Track workouts, uphill or downhill running, increasing mileage too much are all reasons for spin splits. If you havent' been doing these and you suddenly start to, you increase the chances of spin splints.  Like most long distance runners, you are use to doing long mileage and when starting a new routine, you would expect to do the same distance.  But starting a track program or hill program can cause spin splints if you start too fast.  Your gait is much different on a track or running uphill/downhill.

Another thing that can cause shin splints are your shoes.  If they are too worn, your muscles are trying to stabilize your ankle and foot making up for the stability your shoe normally provides.  I only put 300 miles on my shoes.  If you are over that, consider new shoes.  If you don't know how many miles, look at the back of your shoes and look for a wear patten.  A slight wear patten on the soul is ok but a big wear patten is asking for trouble because your ankle will roll more with the increase wear in your shoes.  Get a shoe with lots of stability.

What can you do now?  Get a compression sleeve.  The compression helps hold the muscles in place and increases blood flow.  You are only a week out from the Mini.  You have put your training in already.  Don't worry about your training.  The hay is in the barn. Get a compression sleeve and try running with it to see if it helps. 

Ok, I will get off my shin splints soap box. 

Good luck

John

I got a finish line today.   5K race done.  Not as good as Lena. 

Lena is running now.  Keep good thoughts her way!

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted!  I just spent about an hour going back through the thread history, and I was WAY behind.

Gary - Great RR on RW!  I've been kind of discouraged about my 1/2, and your post completely reminded me of why I signed up in the first place!

Lena - I hope your race went well this morning! 

My training has gotten completely lopsided, but I've still been out there.  I started a new job in March, and my husband just started a new job, and we both stuggle to get in our long rides now.  I need to just suck it up and hire a babysitter so we can both go at the same time. 

The upside is that I'm regularly getting in my long runs, and they've been feeling great, and my pool sessions still feel good.

I'm so impressed with what everyone is accomplishing!  Keep it up  

Lena - finish line updated

Diane - cycling mileage higher is fine.  Go for it.  I would think you would do great in a HIM relay.  Great job on the hills and I want to hear about the compact crank.

Lena - I stop eating 3 hours before an event to let nature take its course and get my stomach empty.  I take in 20 or so oz of water to re-hydrate after sleep and then sip water if I can thirsty up to race time.  Don't overdo it.  Then it is about 20 - 28 oz of infinit per hour - that handles water and calories although I may take in a few more oz of water at an aid station - squeeze the cup, take one drink, and run.....repeat as necessary. Now that I think about it I think you are running to today....crap.  Now I read more posts and you are a marathoner.....you ROCK!!!  way to go girl.....

Finish lines updated for all.....sorry I have been absent so much but you all are doing great....keep up the good work and the sharing amongst yourselves....I am impressed.

YES YOU ARE SISTAH!!!!!

After 4 months, our humble little group is on pace for 70 finish lines....that would be a LRR record....seems to me we have a decently dedicated bunch....especially considering the tri season is just beginning.....

So, for the month of May - everyone in the group should find a finish line.....if you got one on May 1 by completing 26.2 miles you are excused (unless you want to impress the group)...but the rest of us should commit to one finish line....it can be a ride, a run or a swim or whatever you want but get a finish line.....in May I will get 2....

Finally, last year I encouraged each member of our group to volunteer at least once for a race during the year...I would like to formally ask that of each of you....and going forward, I think that may be a requirement to be part of us....these races wouldn't happen without volunteers, I thank as many of them as I can during a race, and I know you do too.....so pick a race and volunteer....by the way, if you are losing any motivation, go volunteer at a kid's triathlon....you will remember why you are here......

sTRIve