[Christopher]What would have been the end of week 4 of training has now become the start of week 3. Week 1 and 2 started off really well, but on the 3rd Monday, I think I got a little sloppy with my run and caused some shin splint pain. It took a couple of weeks before I could even try to attempt a run. In the meantime, I nursed it with rest, ice, and Advil. I was able to keep up the cardio with pretty intense elliptical and stationary bike training, but nonetheless, it was still frustrating not being able to run like I had planned. Who would of thought that I, Christopher, would be upset by not being able to run? The hardcore weightlifter that looked at running as if I was being chased: “Run? Me? No way.” Yes, I was a little upset and pouting now that I could not run. For those like minded people who understand, once you put your mind to something, a goal, it’s pretty disappointing to have to  take a step back and heal or rest.  As an avid weightlifter and cyclist, I know the precautions that are needed to not injure yourself. Now I have experienced what a runner has to go through, and I am only scratching the surface here. It’s true what they say, “if it were easy, everybody would be doing it.”

Saturday morning, Mandy and I went to the gym to hopefully get in a decent run on the treadmill. I have taken two weeks off to let the shins rest and heal. Our friend Tom “0-100″  Hall, loaned me his compression shin sleeves that he had suggested that I try out. At this point, I was willing to try anything that might help with my run. Unsure and hesitant when I stepped onto the treadmill, I was pleasantly surprised  that I was able to crank out a 10K with no pain whatsoever. I was happy and relieved that I was back. Back to normal? Well, that is yet to be seen and I’m not holding my breath, but it sure felt good. Yea, I said, it felt good to run!

I should be back on track and going to fire up the training again starting with week three.

[Mandy]  With Christopher being side-lined and my own body feeling battered and bruised from the last few weeks of training, I was more than happy to also take a step back and heal.  I was feeling tired all the time, and each workout was feeling like it was taking twice as much effort. I had not run anything over 9 miles in weeks, and I knew my body was struggling to catch up to the change up in our training.  I gave myself “permission” to skip a couple runs and to focus on other forms of cardio like cycling, elliptical, and stair climbing.  I hit the weights hard and stayed pretty strict on my diet to ensure I didn’t gain a bunch of unnecessary weight.  Sure enough, last week I had a stellar 6 mile run, and I was able to crank out another 8 on Saturday.  It once again felt effortless and easy, just like old times!  I think I even smiled the whole way Now that Christopher and I are both feeling like our old selves, I’m excited to get back to our scheduled training program to see what we’re made of! I’m hoping that after this brief break we’ll come back faster, stronger, and healthier!

M&C