Hi guys!
Great responses so far for the awesome Avocate giveaway!!! Keep ’em coming…..y’all have till 10 pm tonight till I pick a random winner!
Sweet Polly’s note brightened my day! 🙂
I snacked on a lovely banana while on route to the shin splint doctor…
Meh meh meh. That’s all I have to say. I’m beyond frustrated that running is still painful for me after spending so much on orthotics I couldn’t really afford anyway. Today my doctor adjusted my orthotics though by sticking more padding underneath the sole to even further stabilize my cranky feet. I’m running tonight so hopefully this will help a little….we shall see.
After my appointment I thought I deserved a treat!
First Kombucha in MONTHS!!!!!!! I have missed them so. However, my bank account has not. Haha I guess its a good thing I don’t work at Greenwise anymore and have to be tempted by these every day of my life. Boooo
Lunch was a chicken, feta and hummus sandwich on whole wheat with concord grapes! I love these!
Home for the rest of the afternoon, getting some much needed writing done. I’m going to save my run until after the sun goes down, so dinner will most likely be broken up into two light meals.
I miss Boston!
Vorilee
August 18, 2009 at 1:26 pmI love concord grapes 🙂
Sara
August 18, 2009 at 1:34 pmYour sandwiches always look neat. Good luck with the doc’s advice and your writing tasks.
Allie Katie
August 18, 2009 at 1:35 pmI feel ya, Jenna. I LOVE running but every run is sort of a ‘omg is this going to be the run where it all falls apart?’ problem. Hopefully it will all work out!
Andrea
August 18, 2009 at 1:52 pmKombucha is liquid gold! 😉 Love that stuff. Hope your shins start feeling better soon.
kootz
August 18, 2009 at 1:55 pmrun barefoot. it solves all.
barefoot as in no support shoes that allow your feet to function as they should. running shoes and orthotics impede the foots natural arch… i mean theres a reason the romans built the arch… it works.
try it!
kay (eating machine)
August 18, 2009 at 1:55 pmdoctor’s appointments always deserve a treat!
Lizzy
August 18, 2009 at 2:00 pmJenna hopefully everything went ok at the doctors today! 🙂
Mara @ What's for Dinner?
August 18, 2009 at 2:04 pmI swear I’m the only human who can’t stand concord grapes… tragic experience in preschool *shudder*
Good luck with the running!
brandi
August 18, 2009 at 2:05 pmi hope the run goes well tonight! are adjustments just a part of having orthotics? I’ve never had them, so I’m not sure, but I hope that you have a good run later 🙂
erika
August 18, 2009 at 2:10 pmyou can make kombucha… it’s pretty easy, just takes a little time. 🙂
Bec
August 18, 2009 at 2:17 pmaww that sucks that you are still getting shin splints, hopefully the orthotic adjustments will help a bit
Sana
August 18, 2009 at 2:23 pmGood luck with your workout tonight 🙂 Hopefully it is a painfree one.
Dawn
August 18, 2009 at 2:28 pmHave you thought about seeing a physical therapist as well, or asking your shin splint doctor if there’s any exercises you can do to help strengthen the muscles in your feet/ankles? I got orthotics last year for a different type of running-related pain, but I wasn’t able to run pain-free until I actually started doing the strengthening exercises that the PT gave me as well. (My orthotics came from the PT rather than the doctor.) Just something to think about – I hope you get back to pain-free running, soon! I know how insanely frustrating it is to keep being blocked just as soon as you think you’re making progress.
Anna
August 18, 2009 at 2:29 pmHi Jenna,
I’m not trying to be rude at all, so please don’t take this the wrong way, and I hope this is okay to ask, but if you are having so much trouble with running, is it really in the best interest of your body to keep pushing yourself? I really admire your perseverance (sp?), but it seems like you have so much trouble with it. Do you ever think that it might be more worthwhile to your body (and mind) to focus on other physical activity instead?
Meggilizz--Meggie's Munchies
August 18, 2009 at 2:35 pmThat’s a great verse Jenna!! I hope your improved orthotics help out your shins 😀
Traci
August 18, 2009 at 2:36 pmHang in there with the shins Jenna. That stinks and must be so frustrating. I have had both knee and back problems in the past that I had to work through. Happy to say that I am pain free today. Just do what you need to do to rehab and get your shins well. And Boston misses you girls too! Stay well!
Laura
August 18, 2009 at 2:53 pm#5/Kootz beat me to it…Have you thought to try running barefoot or in minimalist shoes (ie Nike Free)? I’ve been suffering from plantar fasciitis for well over a year, and I started walking barefoot on the treadmill (in socks!! since it’s at the gym) last week and even ran for 10 minutes Sunday. I already feel stronger in my feet, and this is after thousands of dollars in doctor’s appointments, medicines, PT, etc.
There are some shoes designed for “barefoot running”- google it and there are a ton of websites, or email me and I can send you some. 🙂
Suzanne
August 18, 2009 at 2:57 pmHave you tried running barefoot? Sounds crazy I know, but I had problems with shin splints and eventually a stress fracture. I now run barefoot (on my treadmill, not an outdoor runner) and feel like it’s much easier for me to tell when I’m running properly and my feet aren’t being forced into unnatural positions. I can’t run very far yet, but I feel like I’m more in tune with my body now.
http://runningbarefoot.org/
Megan
August 18, 2009 at 3:04 pmGood luck tonight with your run…I hope the extra padding comes through for you!
Have a good afternoon, Jenna 🙂
KatieTX
August 18, 2009 at 3:21 pmhave you thought about the type and age of shoes you have? My shins are sore when my shoes reach their toss time. Also, I have heard icing religiously helps shin splints! Sticking to the treadmill a while longer may be beneficial as well. good luck!
Kat
August 18, 2009 at 3:23 pmHi Jenna,
I have been reading your blog for more than a year and finally started one of my own. I hope you will give it a look. You are a great inspiration!
http://katsdailyplate.wordpress.com
Kat
Mandy
August 18, 2009 at 3:29 pmHave you considered a second opinion on the orthotics? Or, alternatively, are you following a schedule when using them?
I had a bad experience with my orthotics. I actually developed an injury from them rather than relieving my hip pain. I was overeager and used them right away for an hour run. It turned out that I was only supposed to wear them for about 10 minutes during the day, not even for running at first. Just a thought. : )
Richard
August 18, 2009 at 3:43 pmI’m not giving advice here, I’m just telling a story. I am a LOT older than you, and years and years ago I used to run a lot. After years of running, I developed pains in places I didn’t know I had, and all the doctors and all the orthotics in the world just ate up $$$$ and didn’t really help. Oh, it got to the point where I could run a little less painfully, but still it was not really enjoyable. So one day I looked at myself in a mirror, and said: “Why are you doing this?” I need exercise, but the question was “Why THIS exercise?” So I started swimming instead. Now I swim about an hour a day, and absolutely LOVE it (swimming is great exercise, calming, and meditational). You can find swimming clubs everywhere, and many of them have reciprocity privileges with clubs in other cities. I will swim for the rest of my life. So the moral to the story here is: If you’re banging your hand with a hammer, and it “hurts”, you have the option of stopping to bang the hand. You always have options. And sometimes, closing one door, and opening another, takes you to a place even better than where you were before. Obviously, we’re not just talking about running here. Love your blog. It’s constantly giving me good ideas. Oh, by the way … after I started swimming, ALL the pains in my feet and legs went away. Fancy that. Be well.
Sarah
August 18, 2009 at 3:43 pmHope the run goes well tonight Jenna! Good luck with everything 🙂
Jolene (everydayfoodie.ca)
August 18, 2009 at 3:53 pmThat’s too bad that you are having trouble with pain while running … I hope it gets better for you 🙂
April
August 18, 2009 at 4:06 pmHi Jenna,
I read your blog every day, and decided that maybe I should start one of my own. Keep in mind, I have no blogging experience, and therefore have NO CLUE what I am doing. But I thought maybe you might take a look at it and let me know what you think?
April
j
August 18, 2009 at 4:06 pmI hear you–I basically have not run since the beginning of June because of hip problems. I think sometimes people don’t realize how frustrating not being able to run pain-free can be. Frankly, nothing else does it for me like running does–I miss my early morning runs along the Charles River! (Which you can appreciate, having done it over the weekend!)
Ryan @ Greens for Good
August 18, 2009 at 4:27 pmI really admire that even though running is not the easiest thing for you, you’ve been persistent because of your commitment to TnT and your race! All of your hard work is going to really feel great when you cross that finish line 🙂
Shannon The Healthy Beach Bum
August 18, 2009 at 4:32 pmJust continue listening to your body Jenna! I am praying one day you’ll be able to get back to your normal running routine. Nothing is worse than not being able to do something you love. Btw those grapes look amazing! I can eat a whole bag of them in a day lol.. they are the perfect munching snack 🙂
katey
August 18, 2009 at 4:33 pmI hope running works out okay!!!! good luck 🙂
Megan
August 18, 2009 at 4:47 pmYou should make your own Kombucha, Jenna. You only need to get a mushroom once and then it creates a baby everytime a batch is fermented. My sister and I call it our Lil Bucha Baby. You can pass the baby on or use it to make 2 batches at once. It’s really fun to watch the process and much cheaper than buying kombucha all the time.
Katelyn
August 18, 2009 at 5:01 pmHere’s a (seemingly great – I haven’t tried it) tutorial on making Kombucha from the (truly great – I have tried it) website, Small Notebook.
http://smallnotebook.org/2009/07/27/how-to-make-kombucha-tea/
No mushroom necessary – you grow the starter from a purchased bottle and then recycle it from there, like sourdough starter for bread. Good luck with the tea, and your shin splints!
Michelle
August 18, 2009 at 5:20 pmGood luck with your run tonight! Hope your newly adjusted orthotics work! 🙂
angharad
August 18, 2009 at 5:47 pmIt completely sucks that your shins are still hurting you. When I started getting knee pain from running I literally could have cursed the world! Why when you find something you love doing and is GOOD for you, does your body decide, “no, actually – I don’t think we’re going to do that”??! Gah!
Wishing your shins a speedier recovery!
Kathy (Moving Beyond Perfection)
August 18, 2009 at 6:11 pmI’m really sorry about your shin splints Jenna! I used to get them often, and they SUCKED. However, I haven’t gotten them in a while now after seriously cutting back on my mileage and making sure I don’t run too fast or too frequently. I love running so much, and I can’t imagine not being able to. I hope your shin splints are temporary and they go away soon!
britt
August 18, 2009 at 7:54 pmgood luck on the new padding! i hope it works for ya.
oh, and i love the scripture polly sent. if only we could receive things like that in the mail everyday. hmm…
Ali
August 18, 2009 at 8:50 pmHi Jenna-
love the blog! I’m desperate to try the new skin care…nothing seems to help my skin!
Thanks!
Ali
'dee
August 18, 2009 at 10:23 pmLongtime lurker, first time poster. Great blog – love it. I also struggle with cranky feet that affect my whole running form, so I feel for you and wish you luck! I’m sure you’ve probably tried tons of different shoes, but on the off chance this might help your particular circumstances, I have found my own personal shoe nirvana — Asics Gel Foundation 8. I don’t think I’ll ever wear anything else. My “runners knee” is practically nonexistent and I have no more hip pain at all — just because my feet are now in proper alignment. They seem to be the perfect shoe for me.
I completely understand the desire to find ANY way to keep running – I’m a new addict going on just 4 months and have had to overcome some natural alignment issues myself.
I wish you luck!!
Cynthia (It all changes)
August 18, 2009 at 10:34 pmThank you for posting that verse. I really needed to be remided of that tonight.
Abundant Blessings!
Caroline
August 19, 2009 at 8:59 amYou know you can make your own kombucha. I have yet to do so myself, but I have a coworker who does and it is delightful!
Meghan
August 19, 2009 at 9:26 amHi Jenna,
Just wanted to echo #17 and #18 by encouraging you to investigate barefoot running. There’s a ton of very interesting info out there that at first glance, seems totally opposite what you’ve been trained to think for so many years, but actually makes a lot of sense. Many people i work out with use Nike Free’s or Vibram Five Fingers as they allow your foot to do what it does naturally (cavewoman style) while protecting your soles from the road.
Jessica
August 19, 2009 at 3:23 pmmmm kombucha…
you should try making your own!
-muffy
Kristin
August 19, 2009 at 4:29 pmI am glad to know that I am not the only one who “suffers” through running. Thank you so much for being a huge inspiration to me.
Scott
September 10, 2009 at 12:12 amYou seem to be working hard to fix your shins so keep it up! You have been running long enough that your body should have no problem running 6 or 7 miles.
As someone who did not run for years because of shin splints, I feel for you. Because shin splints can be caused by many things you just need to *pay* attention to your body.
My problem was overstriding and running too fast. Also I’d not allow my body to warm up enough before strenuous running, for me and most people you need about 2 miles. I also had a secondary factor. A pair of shoes I wore to work everyday made my feet over-pronate inward very slightly, where as I normally have neutral gait. Another runner pointed it out!
I would recommend seeking out expert runners for help and advice if they happen to be medical professionals great. Running stores and clubs are great place to find these people. Ask for help and if they can’t help you, as for a referral to someone else. I would not recommend you running in Five fingers or barefoot until you’ve conquered the shin problem.
Runners World has a goods series of videos just for Shins and Calves that relate to both stretching and strengthening. http://tr.im/yj5L Sore shins Q and A: http://tr.im/yj5L
My suggestion would be to develop a workout plan based on Runners World’s exercises many 4-5 exercises and stretching. Pay attention to how your body responds! Good Luck!