• Too much
  • too often
  • too soon
  • too little rest in between. 

According to my podiatrist, the above are the reasons that. when I went to get out of bed last Tuesday morning, I could hardly walk.  By the end of the day it was a bit better but bad enough that I tried to get in to see him Tuesday afternoon.  Instead, I had an appointment Wednesday morning, shortly before I was leaving for a three day conference. 

To really know how bad the pain was, my fitbit only had 2,856 steps on Tuesday.  Wednesday did have 5,293 but I went to the doctor, had to get a flat tire repaired, got my haircut, left for a conference, arrived at the conference, checked into the hotel, went to an "event" and out to dinner.  I did average over 6,000 steps on Thursday and Friday but the conference meeting rooms were spread out over three floors and I went to the local high school football game after I got home Friday night (my son does marching band). 

Anyway on Wednesday, I got three shots of cortisone, an anti-inflammatory oral medication and instructions to take ibuprofen, along with wearing compression socks.  By Friday, the pain was much more tolerable, at least in the morning. 

However, he did tell me (and gave me a paper with the following instructions) to:

  • Workout on a stationary bike or in the pool
  • Take ibuprofen an hour before and again an hour after any exercise
  • Continue wearing the compression socks
  • Stretching my calf and front legs is necessary before and after and when I am just sitting at my desk
  • Run only when symptoms have generally resolved (often about two weeks) and with several restrictions:
    1. A level and soft terrain is best.
    2. Distance is limited to 50% of that tolerated preinjury.
    3. Intensity (pace) is similarly cut by one-half.
    4. Over a three- to six-week period, a gradual increase in distance is allowed.
    5. Only then can a gradual increase in pace be attempted

Now, I can do all of this, except the last one.  I don't run.  Ever . . . well, I suppose I would if there was a fire or my kids were in danger . . . but otherwise, its not happening. 

I AM NOT A RUNNER. 

Truly, I am barely a walker. 

And I'm slow.  People would laugh at me running.  I walk slow.  If I ran, I would look like I am just trying to walk fast.  I am short with short stubby legs and no speed.  I won't walk with my husband, because his idea of walking is my idea of running.

So, how did I end up with shin splints?  Because I have increased my WALKING, more than doubling my daily dose AND I didn't increase my stretching. 

Okay, to be honest, I didn't stretch.  At all.  Ever.  And my body goober smacked me with hideous pain which brought it all to a screeching stop. 

On the upside, I went to a conference.  Wore my black Nike walking shoes.  Took my anti-inflammatory medicine and ibuprofen.  Stretched my legs often.  Ate well and truly did my best to avoid carbs.  Often left food on my plate.  And managed to lose three pounds.