Nagging injuries

Since I started running in 2009 I have been fortunate to run relatively injuy free.  Sure I would have minor things flare up, but nothing that kept me off the trail for more than a week.

Then in late October I experienced a bad shin splint towards the end of the four bridges half marathon.  It was my own fault.  First, instead of resting before the race I climbed Mt Langley the day before.  Second, I ran the race in a brand new pair of road shoes I had just received in the mail.   It was the shoes that were probably the culprit.  After the race I was limping badly.  I was a little afraid that I might be out for a few weeks.  Fortunately a little ice and rest resolved the shin splint in a few days.  Whew!  I felt relieved. 

A few days later I did hill sprints with my running group.  After the third or fourth repeat I pulled something in my calf and it felt immediately sore.   Coincidentally, this was on the same leg that I had the shin splint.  Foolishly, I completed the workout ignoring the pain and proceeded to do eight more repeats. 

I then limped back to the car.  Thus began four months and counting of nagging calf issues.   I just can't seem to beat it!  I'll take some time off, ice it, go in for a massage an tens therapy and it'll feel good as new within 7-10 days.  But, just like clockwork, I'll inadvertantly strain it again shortly thereafter.

It's driving me nuts.  Just when I feel like I made another step forward in improving my performance I am forced to rest and take it easy.  It's like running in the sand - a repettitive cycle of two steps forward, one step backward.

Strangely I am starting to adapt to this routine... Almost expecting that I will strain something again within a certain timeframe.  But I fear a may be doing long term damage if I don't get ahead of this issue now.  I have a friend that dealt with calf issues in his youth and was forced to give up running.  Hopefully I will not end up in the same boat.

My plan is to deL with this routine through the end of May.  I have some big events coming up...AR50, miwok, and R2R2R.  June 1st I will make taking care of myself a priority.. giving up runnig for 1-2 months if I have to.   But I gotta survive these next three months. 

40 mile bike ride today from Roseville to Loomis and back.  Riding against the wind was not fun, sucked the energy out of me.  And again I made a wrong turn on the route and ended up heading home to early.  But maybe that was a good thing as the sun was headed down and my legs felt tired.   In fact got home just as the sun was setting.   Really need to invest in a light for my road bike!

Yeah buddy!  Made reservations for the R2R2R in May.   I'm a little worried it might be a bit too hot in the canyon, but I'll cross that road when I get to it.   I really wanted to do this run last year and was disappointed I had to postpone it.   There's no way I'm postponing it again!  So R2R2R for 2012 is officially on!  Airfare? Check.   Lodging? Check.  Rental Car? Still need to do that..

First Post

Hi All,

2011 was an epic year.   2012 looks to be even MORE epic!   Here are my top 3 goals this year:

1.) Run Rim2Rim2Rim .  This is comprised of an ~45 mile run starting from the South rim of the Grand Canyon across to the Colorado river to the North Rim and back again in a single day.  Actually less than a day... shooting for a time of between 10-12 hours.

2.) Hike the John Muir Trail in 10 days.   220+ miles, ~50,000 feet in elevation gain.   Also plan to add a few peaks as side trips including  Split Mountain, Williamson, Muir, and Russel.  Including Whitney that will be 5 fourteeners in all.

3.) Climb the 5 14er peaks of the Palisades. 

More to come! Thanks for reading.