I went for a long run today. The farthest I've run in years - 16 miles. It's funny, but 16 miles doesn't even feel like that much to me right now. I mean, yes, it's a long run, but it doesn't feel like "Oh my god, I can't believe I ran 16 miles." It just feels like a good long run.
And it was mostly good. My left shin - the one which has given me soooooo much trouble these past few years - felt great.
I actually went to PT last week, not because of any pain, but because I wanted to check in and get her opinion on how it's responding to the additional mileage and stress I've been subjecting it to. I haven't felt any symptoms, but sometimes when a trained professional gets in there and gives things a good once-over, they can feel scar tissue and things that I can't. But her opinion was that things are basically the same as they were when I was discharged a few months ago. There's still some scar tissue, but nothing to be concerned about.
However, the plan is for me to go back once a week for a few weeks as a preventitive measure - hit the area with some cold laser and some deep tissue massage, to make sure that it doesn't flare up again.
That was the plan. But after today, I think the cold laser and massage are going to be focused on the right leg. Yep. Wicked bad shin splints on the right leg during today's run. My shins are seriously cursed. It started to ache around mile 10, was uncomfortable enough through mile 12 that I slowed down considerably for those couple of miles, but then it subsided during the final 4 miles. But after I stopped - yowza!
I've been icing it, and took a few doses of ibuprofen, and it already feels a hundred times better than it did this morning. But since I'm headed back to PT Monday morning anyway, I think I'm going to have her hit it with the laser and the massage. And based on how that all goes, I may or may not run next week. I'd rather rest this and get it healed asap, so I don't end up missing my summer racing season. I have big plans, ya know.....
Aside from that, the run was great. Fabulous. I felt like I could have run farther, if not for the shin pain. Sixteen was the plan, though, and 9:00 was the planned pace, and I ended up averaging 9:01. Perfect. And did I mention I felt awesome?
Oh, and I'm fairly certain the shin splints are the result of needing new shoes. I knew I was close to needing them, and had felt some achiness in my knees after last week's run, which was definitely a sign, and I should have heeded it and bought the new sneakers last week. But I didn't. And I paid the price. Lesson learned.
In other news, Gabe is doing so awesome with soccer. I can't believe how much fun it is to watch his games now. They're all actually excited to play, and they go after the ball and really try to score goals, but it's still mostly about just having fun. It's so great to see them all getting into it, but also still having a blast just running around.
And Gabe is so much more focused on the game, and most importantly, is so much more of a team player - that's what makes me happiest. He loves to score goals, of course, and usually scores at least one in every game. And every time he scores a goal, my seven-year-old who is normally full of attitude and 'too cool' for anything and everything still feels the need to come running over to me on the sidelines and hugs me. Those are the moments I live for : )
His 7-year-old attitude is even rubbing off on Carmine. We keep telling both Gabe and Dante that Carmine wants to do EVERYTHING that they do. I think they're starting to get it, but it became especially apparent the other night, when Carmine took a toy and threw it, and Gabe shook his finger at Carmine and said 'No throwing,' and Carmine pointed his finger right back in Gabe's face and yelled 'DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA!!!!"
He's still not talking at all, and Early Intervention is coming next week for their first appointment. It's a lengthy process, and it'll be a while before they actually start working with him, but it's under way. He did try to say "woof" the other day while he was playing with a little doggy that he has, so he is attempting to say stuff. It's just frustrating for all of us when he can't communicate and ends up just yelling. But we'll get there.
Dante, meanwhile, has no problems communicating - he's a pro. Scott took him out for a special night with Daddy last week - they went to the guitar store, where Dante tried out nearly every single guitar, and also took a turn on all the drum sets. I'm sure the people who worked at the store loved it. They also went out to dinner, and they had a great time, but Scott said that Dante did not stop talking. The entire time they were out, it was just constant commentary and discussion. I didn't need to explain to Scott that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I'm sure they enjoyed each other's company, if they allowed each other to get a word in edgewise : )
We were subjected to a spectacularly bad week of weather last week - cool and cloudy to start with, and warm and cloudy to end with. And intermittent rain showers, too. It was awful. So dreary and depressing. And in the beginning of the week, it was actually so cold that Dante told me he had 'chicken bumps' on his skin. I think at some other point he's referred to them as 'goose eggs.' I'm not sure which mistake is cuter.
They make me totally crazy, but they are so ridiculously awesome.
Bummer about your shins! Really hoping new shoes is a quick fix!
Posted by: Taryn | May 23, 2011 at 11:22 AM