Comments on: Bowed But Not Broken (Yet).

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:23:49 +0000

First time reader, and Hey! a clinical massage therapist.
Massage is good. You can do it yourself to flush out that lactic acid after (just also use ice). Before you run, though, you’ll want to warm up your shins. As a beginner, you’ll be rubbing your shins in towards the bone, then away, then in. After you already have the splints (sounds like you do) then you’ll just want to rub inward. Sounds weird, but it’s a matter of warming up the tissue attachments. What shin splints are, well, it’s gross. They are micro tears of the tibialus anterior muscle pulling away from the periosteum around the bone itself. Ick. SO the best thing to prevent/help those nasty tearing pains is to warm up first (rubbing) and icing after.

Warming and cooling the quads will also feel nice. I suggest Epsom Salts and a good 20-minute soak. At least a one-hour massage a month (save a $1 a day) is also great to keep passive muscle relaxation going. And well worth it!

Best of!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 15 Jul 2006 16:35:57 +0000

I tried running (once). My college roommate, an avid runner, told me that once you get past that feeling that you’re going to die, you can run forever. My problem was that feeling I was going to die never went away!

You’ve got a cheering section now!

By: Felix Kasza

Felix Kasza — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 20:31:37 +0000

Regarding those rock-hard quads — stretch them. Yes, they will still hurt, but at least you will be able to move. A muscle in DOMS and at full contraction is a major owie.

Cheers,
Felix.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 20:10:26 +0000

I so feel your pain, but you are inspiring and hilarrr–eee—ouuus. Don’t forget to STRETCH, a little bit once you’re warm and a lot when you’re done. It is so crucial to long, lean muscles versus tight, knotty ones. And, you’ll sleep better, less tossing and turning over your aching legs! Good luck!

By: fisher queen

fisher queen — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 22:57:23 +0000

Two words: Elliptical Machine. No bouncing, and they come with TV and air conditioning.

By: frida

frida — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 22:33:42 +0000

Another delurker, but I thought I’d pass on some excellent advice someone once gave me for taming the DD’s when doing any sort of activity.

First, people will tell you otherwise, but for me it’s all about the mash. The only way your boobs are not going to bounce and get hurty is if they’re mashed super, super tight.

Get at least one or two super, super supportive sports bras (i.e., that provide tons of mash). I love this one: http://www.championcatalog.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce/ProductDisplay?prnbr=CH6843&cgnbr=2011000000 or its non-underwire version. Get the smallest size that still fits you and adjust it so it’s as tight as you can stand it (it will relax a little), and then adjust your boobs in it so they’re comfy (or as comfy as they can be when mashed so tightly).

Then double bag with another sports bra. For the second layer you can get one of those normal sports bras that you can almost always find a pretty good one on sale at Target or one of those big sports stores.

A friend of mine gave me this advice several years ago, and it has let me actually enjoy working out ever since.

By: Ornery

Ornery — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:31:57 +0000

Several years ago, I decided to become “A Runner” as well and, man, could I relate to absolutely everything you wrote! Except for the D cup boobs. Running’s the only time I like to stick out my jiggle-free A cups with pride.

Good luck!

By: electriclady

electriclady — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:04:26 +0000

I have tried and failed to become a runner many, many times. So I admire your determination. But girlfriend, PLEASE get yourself a sports bra. I only rock an A-minus-cup but my tatas were hurting just reading your post.

By: TB

TB — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:00:48 +0000

I salute you for even trying. I never get past the “thinking about it” phase of the plan. Keep up the good work. Oh, and how is that Gnarlz Barkley CD? I like the Crazy song but that’s all I’ve heard.

By: Emma B

Emma B — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 14:21:07 +0000

Oh, yes, I’ve felt your pain, and I’m sure I’m going to feel it again after the babies are born.

I’ve tried the run-as-long-as-you-can approach in the past, and it’s never worked really well for me. I did better with CoolRunning.com’s Couch-to-5K plan (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml), where you start by alternating short intervals of running with recovery walking periods, and gradually increase the length of the running periods over about 9 weeks.