I Am A Runner

Yep, it's official. After easing back into some easy running (12 miles 2 weeks ago, 13 miles last week and 15 planned for this week), I saw my doctor and he's pleased with my progress. There is no more pin-point tenderness around the shin and his flexibility/strength tests resulted in no pain. He's even given me the go ahead to increase my mileage on the TREADMILL but only wants me doing 1 trail run a week and nothing on the pavement. He wants to keep me on a flat, smooth surface for as long as possible.

It's been great running virtually pain free. There is still occasional achiness in the shin site but I would only rate it a 2/10 scale and wouldn't even really call it pain. So physically it isn't an issue but mentally it sure throws me for a loop. Every time it aches I'm convinced I'm going to be side-lined again. The doctor says that's normal and it's just part of the healing process.

So I'm a runner again. It will probably be after the New Year before I do anything but easy miles but at least I'm back on the running wagon. And now is the time to re-build my base anyway. My runs 2 weeks ago made it obvious my cardio was in the toilet. But it's already getting better and my times are getting faster (not that I'm trying to get faster but I can't get much slower :) Looking forward to 2009!