Today I had my appointment with the podiatrist at Intraining and I’m hopeful that my shin will be sorted out. They were very thorough. I have periostitis, and have to ice the area and massage in a specific way several times a day. I’ve got heel lifts in temporarily, and will be going back to have some orthotics made. Part f the problem is my foot shape, part of the foot that should be weight bearing, isn’t, and when I run, my whole foot hits the ground at the same time with a thud, which has a pretty hard impact on my shins. The heel lifts and orthotics should help with that.

It was funny, when I walked out of the shop, my legs were so sore, particularly my groin. Surprising to think that a little bit of elevation would have such an impact.

I’ll have to admit I haven’t been out running all this week, nor have I been on the elliptical trainer at all. No exercise all week. Why? Hard to say, the latter half of the week has been quite rainy, and I really don’t want to go out in the rain, it’s just not fun. Had a bit of stuff to do with the kiddies and that meant I didn’t get an hour for the trainer. Hubby even had a few days where he was working locally so he didn’t have to go so early, so I could’ve got out then. I’ve been hit with major demotivation and I wonder if it’s because I don’t have a program at the moment. I’m finished the C25k, it’s over with now, and I’m just going with the flow, but that’s not enough.

There are two courses of action I could take. One is the Hal Higdon 5km to 10km program, the other is Katherine Switzer’s One Hour Runner program. I’ll have to decide on one of them and just get stuck into it, to get back on track. Otherwise I know I may just not bother any more. I enjoy how I feel after a run, but that’s not enough at this stage to get me out there. I’ll post on what program I choose, and hopefully that’ll get the motivation up again.

I’m off to spend an hour on the trainer, I’ve got the podiatrist tomorrow morning, and then hopefully I’ll get out for a run on Sunday and I’ll be over this slump.

My ultra running hubby has told me I need a new pair of running shoes, it’s not a good plan to just have one pair on the go, it’s better to have two pairs and alternate them. Better for the shoes and better for your feet. It’s not really in my budget at the moment for another pair of shoes, so having watched The Secret, and having read a bit on the Law of Attraction, I tried to figure out a way for me to attract a pair of shoes.

I sent in a letter to my favourite running mag Run For Your Life - they have a Reluctant Runner column and if they publish your letter, they send you a new pair of Nike shoes. I basically said that I’d subscribed for my hubby, and didn’t bother reading it when it arrived, then I started the C25k program with the goal of doing the Bridge to Brisbane, which I did, and now I’m a runner, and I read the magazine as soon as it arrives and my hubby doesn’t get a look in. It’s all true. I also sent them a picture of me and the dogs with the R4YL cap on, and guess what??????

…they’re going to publish it and send me a new pair of Nike shoes. Yay!!

Now all I have to do is manifest a new computer, hehe.

Just managed to squeeze in a run between going to the hardware store then going out for dinner for Father’s Day. I’ve taken the C25k podcasts off my mp3 player (Thanks Robert, and so long), and put some tracks from a new CD I bought. It’s called Housework Songs. Me? Housework? Nah, the tracks are all boppy tunes that I really like - Queen, B-52’s,  Irene Cara, Diana Ross, Roy Orbison, Hot Chocolate - so, now I’m really showing my age, eh?

Funny thing was, with the new music, I ended up going out a lot faster than usual, under 6 minute/km rate, which worried me a bit because I’m trying to extend my distance, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep that pace up for long. I don’t know if it was because it had a different beat rate, or if I was just pleased to be listening to something I liked. I deliberately slowed right down, but my km splits were still a bit quicker than usual. Ended up doing 6km in 37min 52 sec, which is around 2 sec faster than my usual time, but I was pleased that I’d managed to do the distance. And the good thing is, my shin is fine!! Hopefully I’m done with shin splints now, I’m way over it.