So, I decided that yoga would be good for me And my legs today. I thought it would stretch my legs and help my shin splints and still be a decent activity to do. Well, it wasn't nearly as feel-good as I thought. At All. See that whole 10-minute on my feet thing above.
And after yoga, making dinner complete with an appetizer and dessert, my legs were back to feeling like they were blown up from the inside.
My training this week may take some devastating blows. I consulted WebMD about shin splints, as every girl seeking partial advice for a self-diagnosis would do. WebMD wasn't nearly as passive about the treatment of shin splints as I thought. Ah hem.... "they" (whoever that is) says it's not uncommon to take 3-6 months to heal from shin splints and that if you keep running on shin splints, you will do permanent damage. "They" recommend lots of rest and ice.
Sigh. Ice, I can do. But I refuse to quit training. I have yet to decide how the rest of this training week is going to go. I will definitely scale the mileage down a lot this week. But hopefully, I don't have to not run at all this week. I will play it by ear. I will keep you posted!
You probably already know this but I'll share with you anyway;)....
ReplyDeleteI got shin splints when I started playing basketball and my coach taught me a reeeeaaaaally good way to stretch those muscles out...you need another person to help though.
You sit on the floor, legs straight out in front of you. Have that person sit at the end of your feet faacing you. They put their hands on you feet and pull your toes toward the ground, when they are as far down as they will go, you pull your toes back toward the ceiling while they provide resistance. Repeat until your muscles feel stretched. I did this before games and it really helped me.
Maybe it will help a little?
Actually, I did not know that. I will see if I can find someone to help me and try this. Thanks girlie!
ReplyDeleteFrom a runner's world article....
ReplyDeleteGently stretch your Achilles if you have medial shin splints, and your calves if you have anterior shin splints. Also, try this stretch for your shins: Kneel on a carpeted floor, legs and feet together and toes pointed directly back. Then slowly sit back onto your calves and heels, pushing your ankles into the floor until you feel tension in the muscles of your shin. Hold for 10 to 12 seconds, relax and repeat.
In a sitting position, trace the alphabet on the floor with your toes. Do this with each leg. Or alternate walking on your heels for 30 seconds with 30 seconds of regular walking. Repeat four times. These exercises are good for both recovery and prevention. Try to do them three times a day.