Injuries

I've been running my entire life.  It was only until I stopped HAVING to run, that I really learned to enjoy it.  I'm not good at it, but I love it.  Nothing like heading outside for a run underneath a cloudless sky.  Unfortunately, the amount of training I've endured while growing up and not taking care of my injury(specifically shin splints), has made working out difficult.  Nothing is more annoying than doing a workout and having a constant pain. 

I have suffered from shin splints for years.  Eventually they got so bad (I was young and didn't care about my body) that my shin splints turned to stress fractures.  So what did I do?  I taped them every soccer practice and every game, which was often.  5-6 times a week.  Oh....and I didn't ice, rest, soak, stretch, hydrate, etc.   I eventually had to go to physio, who told me to purchase orthotics.  What a waste of $450.   They were bullshit and just made buying shoes more difficult. 

Once my soccer career ended, I continued to run.  My shin splints made it difficult, but I continued to try new things in order to figure out a way to live through the pain.  I live in Streetsville and there are so many amazing shops right on the strip.  I decided to check out a store called Du Tri and Run and met owner, Steven Keating.  Ask that man anything and he'll have the answer.  I've been going to him for at least 5 years now.  One of the first things he did for me was fix my biggest problem with my shins.  My shoes.  He let me try a few pairs to make sure I got the right shoe for my foot structure based on how I ran.  I can't even begin to tell you the difference I felt while running!  Then there was stretching - I continue to get lectured on stretching.  "Your SI Joints are tight.......stretch your soleus, it will help loosen your calf......your IT Band is stiff.....etc."  I hate stretching.  It is the reason I don't do Yoga.  But holy hell is it ever important.  I'm still not doing it EVERY day, but I make a point of ensuring I do it at least 3 times a week.  And hydrate, hydrate, hydrate people!!!!  You should be going to do your workouts or runs hydrated!!! 

Starting back at CrossFit (while still running) has brought back those annoying shin pains.  Even with the right shoes, the right form, loads of water and eating healthy.  I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with the enormous (okay.....maybe not enormous but let me feel huge for a moment) amount of weight lifting........or 20" box jumps.....or 400m sprints (times 2, or 3.....okay 4)......or 100 Double Unders......nothing to do with those at all.  But whatever the cause, I still need to push through and find a solution to prevent or manage this pain.  I have never stopped running because of it and I sure as hell am not going to stop CrossFit because of it.  I've already started the icing, the soaking, the stretching.  So a few days ago, I went for a walk to my Coach's store and picked up a pair of "Zoot" Compression Sleeves, specifically for "perfomance" and not "recovery.'

The idea of Compression Sleeves/Socks are to improve circulation by accelerating blood flow back to your heart (bringing in more oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide), having better muscle performance by compressing muscles close to your body, minimizing muscle vibration so your muslces have less fatigue (the more your muslces move/vibrate, the more energy you're using) and allowing for faster recovery by reducing swelling and lactic acid.  Those interested in purchasing said compression sleeves/socks - research your product.  mmHg is the unit of measurement for compression garments (millimetre of mercury).  The higher the mmHg, the better the compression garment.  Medical-Grade compression garments (typically used by those suffering from Diabetes) are +40 mmHg.  The compression sleeves I purchased from Steven at Du Tri and Run are +8-16 mmHg.  As for Zoot, I have several running pieces and absolutely love the product so I'm confident I will be thrilled with my new purchase. 

Update: I've used these sleeves at least 7 times now and they are AMAZING!  I don't go on a run or to Crossfit without them now.  Best money I have ever spent!  (Okay...lets be honest.  My high heels are probably the best money spent.....)  My shins have not hurt, my calves/soleus don't feel so tight and I was told they look cool by one of my Trainers.  Bonus.  ;)  These are HIGHLY recommended. 

Take care of your body, it's the only place you have to live.