I really could cry right now.... :-(

[ClaireB1973]

STILL hobbling around with a sharp pain in my right shin... tried to do stretches and walk about on my tip toes etc but it just hurts! have been icing it and resting it but it even hurts when im in bed when I turn over!!!!!

This sunday is The Race For Life in Darlington , which Im running with my two daughters in memory of my Dad who died aged just 60 of pancreatic cancer - it is the first time Ive ever done anything like this and I have put so much into it - I wanted to RUN it all not walk/limp/hobble!! :-(( Feel so down and hopeless - was going to go for a swim tonight to see if i can keep up a bit of fitness as its been a whole week today since I last ran! But motivation is something I will need to dig deep for now... just feels like that voice in my head ("you cant do this") has won

[jomcc4 Graduate]

I could cry with you after reading your post. If you really cant do the run on Sunday, just try to walk it & if you cant complete it, so be it. Do not beat yourself up, your Dad would not want you to do it if you are in pain & could possibly worsen your injury. Fingers crossed that things will improve but if not, you can still cheer your daughters on from the "touch line".

Good luck!

[ClaireB1973 Graduate in reply to jomcc4]

Thankyou so much xxx

[swanny]

maybe try to get in touch with a sports injury clinic? may be able to massage to relieve pain?

paul

[ClaireB1973 Graduate in reply to swanny]

Going to investige there is a new one opened near me! I might see what they say.. thanks x

[KANdoit]

OUCH! I'm not surprised you feel low ...re-read your may11 blog ...I loved it. You'll probably drag yourself round the race for life come hell or high-water ...you sound like a very determined person. Once you've done that ALLOW yourself a proper rest to mend those shins. Keep reading your running in the rain post so you don't forget how good it can feel. If your shins beat you this time then its only a battle you've lost, not the "war". It might be that something like nordic walking (with the poles) is something you could do to build up strength and fitness whilst your shins are healing. You've run for 27 min so running 30 (once you're not running on daggers) is going to be so much easier than changing up from 5 to 8min. How you handle this "setback" as a pause to regroup rather than a failure will be a great example to your kids.

I've had to deal with doubters too. What I value most is the respect I've earned from my teen daughters and I'm only at week 4.

[ClaireB1973 Graduate in reply to KANdoit]

Thankyou, I had forgotton about that blog, it seems so long ago now! But re read it and it was good to remind myself of that time - I will try to be more upbeat - my daughters have been looking at neon pink wigs for the race so I might just dress up in something silly and hobble it in that -- at least Im still raising money! then I can look at doing maybe a 10k next summer as my new goal!!

Doubters are "well meaning".. i suppose .... ( depending on who they are) but such negative thoughts just feed your own doubts and its almost like they are saying "ah well done for trying pet - now here's a doughnut - off you go back to the couch eh?"

[hollyO Graduate]

I have just ordered a compression sleeve as I have a very painful calf. I saw that people use them for shin pain too. I ordered mine through Amazon. Have a look. It is awful when you think you may have to stop - this might help. I have had two injuries now that might have lead me to stop but I managed to find enough info on here. So far so good.

Good luck

[Greg_M Graduate]

that's awfulness of the highest order, sorry to hear it. Upsetting as it might be to miss out, if it is that sore and does not ease up, you would be best to get the next 'race for life' and look after the injury or do it really slowly and don't try any heroics. Too much now might set you back longer.

Sore shins is definitely beatable so you can do it, and you will! Nothing to do with doubting or negativity, just injury nothing to be done about that except to get over it.

Unless its just a "bit stiff" in which case............

Can you do it as a "pram race" with your daughters ? They must owe you a bit of a free ride for once

Take care out there.

[Hidden]

You are allowed to feel peed off about this - you have worked so hard. It's really horrible when things don't work despite you doing everything you can. However, Greg is right - this isn't a time for heroics as you might harm yourself. Go and find a professional and go with what they advise. I love your idea of doing a 10k next year instead!!

I'll be thinking of you this Sunday, do let us know what you decide to do. x

[Heartboy Graduate]

So sorry to hear this. Try and keep the exercise up in other forms like the swimming to keep your fitness up and stay off the running. A few days rest may mean the shin splints will have subsided by Sunday. Keep us postedx

[ClaireB1973 Graduate]

Oh wow Thankyou everyone who has posted words of wisdom and support here - what a fab forum! I don't know anyone in my "real" life that would understand how I feel about running - like I said its all "well maybe running isn't for you?" - mum or "let's get bikes instead then we can go out together?" - hubby "well, running at your age might be a bit too much, have you tried swimming?" - mum again.... Oh and "uncle Albert was a runner .... Until he suffered a twisted inflamed thingy bone thats the reason he had his leg amputated - running caused it all" - you've guessed it....mum again! well last night I went for a swim! Did almost an hour - I had a huge cramp in my right foot arch when I tried the crawl so stuck to breast stroke and stretches but today dare I say it my leg feels a little bit better. There is a sports injury guy available tonight at the leisure Center so I'm considering a sports massage...only it's £15 and I don't really have the money... But i can see the light today.... Thanks everyone I will keep you posted! x