ouch

May 4, 2009 6:47 AM

RunningInjuryFilter: Doing couch to 5k. On week 7 (25 minutes running 3 times a week). Yey! After doing a weighted squat incorrectly a couple of weeks ago (too much weight on balls of feet), have a soreness/twinge/ache on my left front lower leg (about where shin splits would be). This gets better as I exercise and warm up, but it also hasn't gone away. Do I need to take a week off? Will this get better or worse if I ignore it? Will I hinder my progress?

P.S. Is there a reason why no one refers to it as 'jogging' anymore?

posted by leotrotsky to health & fitness (7 comments total)

I'd stretch the hell out of it, see if that helps. In bare feet, make a "fist" against the floor (top of your toes facing the floor) and bend your knees.

And it's not called "jogging" though, if you're not on the balls of your feet it's joggin, because "jogging" sounds like less effort than "running" and no one wants to admit that they're not putting maximum effort at all times.
posted by notsnot at 7:07 AM on May 4

I consider jogging when the heart rate isn't being kept at a relatively high level. Running keeps the heart at a closer max% rate.

If I were you I would keep running but I have a high pain tolerance. For instance, I broke a bone in my hand 2.5 weeks ago but I haven't taken a day off from hockey since then.

Only you know your body. Is it an "ow this is a really bad I'm injured pain" or like a "man this is bruised and I just keep poking at it" type pain?
If it's the later, keep going.
posted by zephyr_words at 7:09 AM on May 4

There's actually a pretty touchy argument in a lot of running communities as to "running" v. "jogging." I have no opinion.
posted by Pax at 7:40 AM on May 4

Taking a week off won't hinder your training for more than a few days. Unfortunately, it probably won't fully heal that injury either. Next time you run, you're likely to re-injure it. Shin problems have notoriously long healing times.

Personally, I go with light running, light stretching, massage, ice, and ibuprofen. Carefully monitor it it see if it's improving or getting worse.

If you only have time for one thing - ice.
posted by 26.2 at 7:54 AM on May 4

I have no idea if this is considered a standard accepted rule, but my friend who recently ran the Boston marathon claimed that running starts at a 10 minute mile pace (6 mph run or faster). Anything lower is jogging. This is entirely subjective, but just throwing out another data point.

I would lessen your routine and stretch the heck of it until it feels better. If it is chronic after another week or two, I would consider seeing a doctor. Anytime I have forced a run while feeling a twinge of pain or discomfort (beyond the normal cardio and acid buildup), it has only gotten worse and affected my routine for longer periods of time. Make sure you don't overdo it so you can heal.
posted by seppyk at 8:12 AM on May 4

Shin splint area pain could be caused by your stride or the running surface. Are you a heel-toe kind of runner or do you run on the balls of your feet? Also, if you're running only on pavement, think about running on grass, a cinder trail, or in the woods - if you can - for several runs. Rest is always a good thing and often the last thing we all want to do because we are afraid of losing fitness. Take some Advil. I don't think stretching is going to help that particular problem.

Jogging vs running? To me it's all running. The real distinction is between jogging and training. To me, jogging is aimless running. No particular goals, just running because it makes you feel good. No particular distance, no frequency, no pattern. Training, however, is running with a purpose, as in training for a 5K or a marathon. The minute you begin to point at a race or a fixed distance, you're training.

Good luck with your pain.
posted by birdwatcher at 9:36 AM on May 4

One of the big running podcasts I listen (Phedippidations) says that the difference between a runner and a jogger is a RACE NUMBER. I like that. I may not ever be able to run a 10 minute mile, but dammit, I finished six races last year (including two half-marathons). I am a runner regardless of how fast I go.
posted by web-goddess at 9:26 PM on May 4