4 Miles and a Munchkin Shout Out

Today I got 4 miles in. They were not happy miles, unfortunately. My foot/leg/ankle problem continues to be an issue. It didn't bother me during the 5k on Saturday but I think that may have been an adrenaline thing...who knows. It has been bugging me as a kind of nagging pain off and on for a couple of weeks now but today, when I headed out for my short run, it started up right away. I can't figure out what it is. The pain is on the outside of my foot, travels to the top of my foot and up the side of my leg stopping just before my knee. Today, the pain was in both feet/legs which kind had me freaked out. I'm not running in the best of shoes, they are pretty old and perhaps are a wee bit past their prime so I think it's time for me to hit a real running store. I've avoided it because to be honest, I never really considered myself a 'real runner' and thought they would laugh at me when I tell them about my crazy big 17 mile week. But, I really don't want this to be something that is going to side-line me so I think I'll go after Thanksgiving to Potomac River Running. Apparently they put you on a treadmill to do a 'video gait analysis' which sounds all official and big time so I'll give them a go.

In my on-line self diagnosing work, I've come up with three possibilities:

1. My Achillies Tendinitis has returned which I really hope isn't the case and I'm leaning away from it because this doesn't feel quite the same as that did when I was diagnosed with it back in May.

2. Anterior Shin Splints. According to Cool Running, it sounds sort of like what they describe: "pain in the front and outer edge of your legs. If the strain continues, it is possible that micro-fractures may form in your tibia; these are stress fractures. There won't be a sudden break, just a gradual increase in pain until it becomes quite severe. If you have extreme shin pain, see a doctor for an x-ray. If you have only mild pain, it's probably shin splints (but if the pain does not respond to remedies after a few days, go see a doctor; it may be a stress fracture after all)." which sounds rather scary so I'd like for it not to be that either. They don't mention the foot part of the equation so I don't know if that rules out the shin splints.

3. My shoes are either too small or I'm tying them too tight. I've read this in several places. Obviously, this is the one I'm hoping wins.

Soooo, I'll get myself some new fancy kicks and see if that helps. Also, I need to find some good stretches. I need to get out and do my long run tomorrow so fingers crossed I don't have a problem. I'm going to tie my shoes as loose as possible though!


In other news, I read that the Munchkins from The Wizard of Oz finally got there much deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. How exciting is that? You can keep those damn scary flying monkeys, but who doesn't love those Munchkins?? Way to go guys - you rock!