VENT SESSION

Disclaimer: If you have a problem with Debbie Downer, discontinue reading at this point.

I have been M.I.A. for a while because, honestly, I have nothing positive to blog about when it comes to my running career lately. I try to be one of those if-you-can't-say-anything-nice-yadayadayada girls and so therefore I have been keeping to myself lately. But I can't take it anymore and quite frankly, I miss my blog and all my blogging friends. So I have decided to fill you in on the saga of my running life lately.

Shin Splints SUCK. Can I just say that? They suck. I am so trying to break up with them... but they wont leave me alone.

Because of them, my training is W A Y behind schedule. My days of taking obnoxious amounts of Ibuprofen have officially began as well as my days of icing my shins after every run. Also, my mileage increase is pretty much non-existent. I have 13 weeks to go from 4 miles to 13.... or at least 11. (I believe adrenaline can probably carry me through the last two miles the day of the race.) All because of shin splints.

I know this is so common. Many runners fall prey to the dreaded shin splints at some point in their life. I just happened to be attacked in mid training for my first half marathon... when time is money! Ughh! But I am one of those people that believes in expressing themselves and letting it all out when one is upset. So I'm just going to whine for a minute and then I'll get over it.

Anyways, I know what I need to do about it. (Thanks to much needed help from my blogger buddies... hugshugskisskiss) I need to be professionally fitted, first and foremost, for shoes at a place besides Foot Locker and Champs in the mall. Unfortunately, I live in Beaumont, Texas, USA. A professional running store where people can actually fit my foot and know what they're talking about is non-existent. The closest place would be Luke's Locker in Houston (I believe). Which is an hour away. So I have to wait until I have time to drive up there for a visit.... which, as the Marketing and Public Relations rep for 2 major hospitals in Southeast Texas, is kind of hard to do. Yesterday, for instance, I was at work at 7am and didn't get off until 9pm. I don't do that everyday... but my job is pretty demanding, nonetheless. So as soon as I figure out a time (maybe this weekend) when I can head up there I will be on a fresh start to healthy shins!


My run this morning was pretty pleasant. LOVE morning runs. I woke at 5am, got dressed, ate a banana, took my dog out, swallowed some meds and hit the road. I've been hearing all kinds of stories about female runners being abducted/raped lately, so I have been trying to run in familiar neighborhoods where lots of people live as opposed to parks or trails or tracks that are more secluded. I ran 3 miles in my grandparents neighborhood and felt great afterwards. After 3/4 a mile into the run my shins were fine. Afterwards I stretched and drank a large glass of chocolate milk because a friend of mine told me that was a great re-fueler after a run. Is this true??

See... I feel so much better. Thanks for letting me get it all out. My rebound mechanism is in full swing today :) Good to know...

Magnificent Miles to you all!