Shin splints :(

Well, the title says it all really. I went to the osteopath this morning to see what magic she could work with this shin pain I've been getting. She heard my story, touched my incredibly tender shins and said "textbook shin splints". Hmph. :(

What followed is agony of the highest order. I've never been so lucky as to need a deep tissue type remedial massage and can honestly say next time she can just chop off my lower legs without pain relief - in fact, I'll gladly chop them off myself. It was excruciating beyond that which words can even describe. And just when I thought it was surely almost over, she kept on going!!

On the upside though, I walked out of there an hour later without any pain, and noticeably lighter, looser calf muscles. The pain has somewhat returned, but I'm not altogether sure whether that's the shin pain back, or just the same pain/tenderness as my entire lower leg is feeling right now from her massage. The bruises have already begun to poke through.

So she has ruled out running for a while, at least until I get in to see the podiatrist next Wednesday. I can still do my C25K program on the elliptical trainer, so I don't lose any cardiovascular gains I might have made, or can try gentle walking on grass or swimming. So I'm heading off with a girlfriend for a gentle walk round the local oval tonight once it's cooled down, just to keep active and get some fresh air really.

I'm pretty bummed as you can imagine, but hopefully it'll heal up quickly, and with better shoes and possibly orthotics, I'll be right as rain to keep running soon enough :)