I’m really beginning to think I’m just not meant to be a runner.
See that picture? That’s my left leg. I’m pointing the camera down at it hopefully to show these knots on my outer shin. The arrows are pointing at them. This picture was taken immediately after running, but it goes away after a bit. I’m pretty sure this isn’t shin splints. I don’t know what this is, but I have an idea it may be “compartment syndrome”. While running, my calves become very hard and painful, and these muscles on the outside of my shins, particularly the left one, bulge, become numb, and the left one tingles if I touch it, as if it’s a nerve. If I continue running when this happens, eventually I can’t move my feet. This has always been the problem I have with running.
Speaking of shin splints, I’ve only gotten those twice and they’ve been recently. Once was caused by high-impact cardio, and today is the most recent. I know what shin splints are and they hurt, too.
Anyway, today was Day 2 of my second week of running. 90 second run intervals followed by 2 minutes of recovery walking. I couldn’t get a full 90 second run on the last interval before my calves and shins gave out. I grabbed the camera before I cooled down hoping to be able to get a good shot of this leg.
If anybody has any ideas on how I can deal with these calves and shins while running, I would appreciate it.
I don’t want to be sidelined again when I’m just getting started. I’ll see how they feel by Friday. Meanwhile, I can keep doing the P90X workout and yoga.
Probably a stupid comment, but are you stretching when you finish your run-there are a couple of stretches for the anterior tibialis muscles as well as calves, quads and hamstring stretches ? And may be get your shoes checked or see a podiatrist. Any good runners shop will have someone who can do a ‘gait’ analysis (usually want to see you run on a treadmill) and who might be able to see that you’re wearing the right shoes. If you’ve already done all this, then apologies! Also, what kind of surface are you running on?
I started running again after a 10 year break and two kids and did a similar walk/run programme of 1 x min running and 1 x min walking progressing to 2 x min running and 1 x min walking gradually building up my run times and cutting down the walking. I know how much I have enjoyed getting back into it, so I hope you can find a way of dealing with your aches and pains! Good luck!!
Thanks, Jean. Yes, I warm up, cool down and stretch, but the problem is, sometimes I can’t even make it through an entire run. I’ve been running on pavement and on a treadmill on really cold days when I don’t want to put on so many clothes to go run. I’m sure the surface might have something to do with it, although, I think it’s just running in general, as nothing else brings on the problem. Makes me sad, because I’ve always wanted to run, but can never seem to outlast my calves and shins, even back in the early days.
Glad you’re able to get back into running!