Bloody H@ll- Shin splints and the burning in my legs has returned

[Nanci]

But she's going to have wonderful form even after the problem, if not form-related, is diagnosed! And probably would have never seen a coach if not induced by pain.

Don't give up. Who cares about a scar. I'm sure they do everything they can to make it look nice! (Although I chose not to have open heart surgery, back when that was an option for me to continue diving, bacause of the scar- but that's a MAJOR scar!!)

[KSH]

But she's going to have wonderful form even after the problem, if not form-related, is diagnosed! And probably would have never seen a coach if not induced by pain.

Don't give up. Who cares about a scar. I'm sure they do everything they can to make it look nice! (Although I chose not to have open heart surgery, back when that was an option for me to continue diving, bacause of the scar- but that's a MAJOR scar!!)

HA! HA! RIGHT?! My form will be *perfect* .

I won't give up. I don't care about a scar... but we aren't to that bridge yet. I have to remember that!

And... running/not running... either way. It's all good. If I can't run... I can't run. I will come up with a Plan B at that point. Life is not over.

Thanks for all the kind words and positive encouragement!

[KSH]

So, I laid in bed last night... thinking, "What will I do if I can't run".

And I figured it out...

I am a fast swimmer, and with more time in the water, I can hang with the top of the pack.

Instead of spending my time on trying to get better at running... I can focus on becoming a speed demon on the bike.

I will practice becoming a speedy walker. I have been a pretty fast walker in the past, and I am pretty sure I can get it back.

The time I make up on the swim and bike... will keep me solid on the run/walk segment.

So, that is my Plan B.

Otherwise, my plan is just to ignore the pain and keep running. The burning is just that... burning. If I can get to a point where I can embrace that pain... I can run.

[colby]

You'll make it, KSH. No matter what it takes, you've already proven that you're a fighter, and you'll get there.

Don't get too discouraged, and don't let it ruin your triathlon experience, either. Maybe you'll find SOMEONE who can help you find an answer!

It was hard to read about your frustration after all the success you've had with the running coach, but it's great to read that you're willing to consider Plan B.

Good luck!!

[summer]

Hi all...I've just had bilateral fasciotomies (means both legs at once) to correct compartment syndrome. After twenty years thinking I had shin splints and wondering why all my efforts (soft ground, gentle training etc) made no difference, and why it hurt so much on the rower, climbing on the bike, in time trial position etc (none of which shoudl be a problem for shin splints), it was a military doctor who said it might be exertional compartment syndrome (seems they see it a lot in the army). A year of trying orthotics, having pressure tests (which aren't fun but aren't too bad either) we went for surgery. I had the operation on December 7th, was walking without crutches that same day, had staples out (5 on one leg, eight on the other) after a week, and am already back on the turbo trainer and feeling great! The scars are narrow and about 2 inches long on each leg (my hubby thinks they're really cool), and apart from a bit of bruising around my ankle which is taking ages to go away, it was a piece of cake. Time will tell if it worked (it's too early for me to train hard), but my advice is, get it checked properly with a pressure test, and don't be afraid of the operation! It's a lot more common that they say, I think because most doctors don't know enough about it to look for it! Anyway, good luck!

[KSH]

Hi all...I've just had bilateral fasciotomies (means both legs at once) to correct compartment syndrome. After twenty years thinking I had shin splints and wondering why all my efforts (soft ground, gentle training etc) made no difference, and why it hurt so much on the rower, climbing on the bike, in time trial position etc (none of which shoudl be a problem for shin splints), it was a military doctor who said it might be exertional compartment syndrome (seems they see it a lot in the army). A year of trying orthotics, having pressure tests (which aren't fun but aren't too bad either) we went for surgery. I had the operation on December 7th, was walking without crutches that same day, had staples out (5 on one leg, eight on the other) after a week, and am already back on the turbo trainer and feeling great! The scars are narrow and about 2 inches long on each leg (my hubby thinks they're really cool), and apart from a bit of bruising around my ankle which is taking ages to go away, it was a piece of cake. Time will tell if it worked (it's too early for me to train hard), but my advice is, get it checked properly with a pressure test, and don't be afraid of the operation! It's a lot more common that they say, I think because most doctors don't know enough about it to look for it! Anyway, good luck!

Thanks for your story Summer! We would be interested to see how the healing goes.

I have pretty much figured out that I have muscles in my lower legs that get very tight. My goal is to stregthen them through drills and running.

I have gotten to where I can run on a regular basis. True, not always pain free, but I'm learning how to manage my pain through ice and stretching.

Keep us updated. Your surgery sounds very promising.

[spokewench]

Well, I did go to one Sport Orthopedic when I twisted my ankle in February.

I dicussed my issues with the lower leg pain/burning, and they pretty much said we could try some orthopedics and see if that helps. Honestly, the answer was pretty lame.

I probably need to find another one.

My coach swears I don't have shin splints... and maybe I don't. He says that my muscles down there are just getting use to the new form. Well, those muscles around my shin/ankle/etc. are making it hard to walk down stairs today (Tues- ran last on Sun). I just think that we upped my mileage too quickly and I was running to fast.

I also told him that I would be willing to go see anyone else I need to, to get the problem looked at resolved.

We will see what happens Thursday.

Thanks for the kind words. My goal of running a 5K by 9-17-06 is pretty much shot. I just hope I can a mile or two in the tri at this point.

How long were you not running? Where are you running, i.e. what kind of surface? Were you still jogging right before you did this work out?

I'm asking these questions, cause running is really quite different from riding. Yes, you can get really sore from a workout if you are not used to it; and shin splints can also be caused by running on a really hard surface. As I have gotten older, I have to be really careful about how much I do when I start doing something different, i.e. like sprinting! Sprinting is like the worst thing I can do to make myself really sore! It seems like no matter how I warm up or how much stretching I do, I always tear a hamstring when I start sprinting. The work out above seems like too much for me to start with. Maybe it was for you. Everyone is different and has different abilities to handle the stress of a new workout.

spoke