I know, I've been training, but my shins have been a major area of contention for me since I started with marathon training in 2006. However, I think I've solved the mystery of the hurting shins. While running last Sunday, I realized (I'm not sure how) that I was running with my toes bent as if grabbing the bottom of my shoes. So surprisingly when I stopped doing that, I was able to run with out pain. I concentrated on keeping my toes straight the next time I ran, and.....No pain!! Who knew it was such an easy fix. Instead of dwelling on the if only I knew that when.... I focused on the positive this should make running easier and I should be able to get myself up to a 10K distance by the time of the event. Yay me!!
But I was still nervous, I was nervous about letting myself down and not being able to finish my training session today, and secondly letting my coach down. He has set expectations for us, and expects us to use our full potential. That is something that has always been expected of me, and I don't like letting others down, especially myself by not using that potential (Yes, mom, I've used the "P" word, and admit that I'm not successful when I don't use my full potential). But I then realized that I've been dealing with issues and that the schedule is to be used as a guideline for what we should be doing, and that each of us are at different levels and that even though I'm not at the top of my game, I'm a heck of a lot higher than I was when I started this thing back in November, and now that the mystery of shin pain has been solved (hopefully), I should be able to get to the top of my game, by race day (March 27th).
So, after all the TNT particulars were discussed, off we went to do our first of many run repeats. We were running approximately 1.5 miles up to 6 times (depending on speed). so off I went with the team, keeping towards the back of the pack, so I didn't start out to fast, and burn out before I finished, and had to head out on my bike for the first bike repeat. So, I did great for the first .5 mile. I kept my pace steady, concentrated on keeping my toes straight, and then at the turn around, I hit the sand portion of our run. All I have to say was OUCH! I automatically felt my toes bend, and the shins start yelling at me. But I kept going for a while, I did start walking thinking that might help, but it didn't. Thankfully, I found a stairway back up to the pavement, and started back. Unfortunately the damage was already done. My shins were unhappy, and were letting me know. Running at this point was out of the question. so I walked back to the starting point, and transitioned to get ready for the first bike session.
Now that's where it gets real fun! A few weeks back we learned how to change out bike tires. Well, ever since I took the back wheel off my bike, the wheel hasn't been working well. So last night, I went online downloaded the manual for my bike, and attempted to get it inline and ready for the ride. I got it to work, and by the time I was ready to go out and ride with the team, I did a quick loop around the parking lot to make sure things were working properly. They seemed to be. Well, I was wrong. As I got close to the mount line (where you are allowed to get on the bike in a tri), I started pedaling and the next thing I knew my bike tired stopped and I started to go forward over my handlebars. Thankfully, I caught myself and I did NOT fall. But I did get a "good save!" from a few of the mentors. After checking out the bike, I did a few laps around the parking lot again, and off I went. I felt the bike dragging a little, but I figured the break was probably rubbing against one of the tires, but I chalked it up to resistence training and I'd look at it again when I got back. Well, towards the turn around point, there was a nice hill, that I was getting ready to go up, and sure enough as I put more pressure on the pedals, I almost found myself going over the handlebars again. Obviously something wasn't right. I walked the bike up the hill, saw Coach at the turn around and had him check it out. He noticed a few things that could be causing it, but gave me the ok to head back with the team, and with two mentors by my side, I trudged back, and was quite happy with finishing. Coach then worked on my bike while I went out for my second run, and did a little tune up and then gave me the clean bill to ride. Unfortunately, plans being made previously prevented me from going out for that second ride, but I'll see how it goes this coming weekend. We're scheduled for a 24 mile bike and 5 mile run this coming Saturday, and our first open water swim on Sunday!! yikes... time to find a wetsuit!
See you next week. I hope.......
And the Jacket:
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