Training, Planning and Running the DW Race

I donned trainers and went running last night. My route was my 4.2mile short course around the country lanes. I didn’t really intend to push it, I just fancied going for a run.

Almost as soon as I set off I felt pangs of pain in my shins but I was too proud to just stop and turn around, I kind of assumed that the pain would dissipate as I got into the swing of it. It didn’t.

The shin pain is difficult to explain, it felt a bit as if the thin muscle that attaches to the front of the bone was tearing off. It didn’t get any worse really but just sort of slowed my pace.

I decided that running the full distance was not going to do me any favours after about 20 minutes… which was about half way and I was not in any really position to short cut my way home. I cut a few corners and stopped running once I got back onto the estate.

I ran 3.9 miles in 41 minutes with an average speed of 5.71mph. Pretty slow but considering my legs were screaming agony it was a speed I am happy with.

My legs ache today, and this weeks internet diagnosis has pointed the finger solely at shin splints. A painful condition caused by running on hard surfaces. Rest until the pain goes away, and then I will gently get back into the swing.