Last Saturday, we ran our last long run (34km) before tapering. I felt good the whole time, except for needing a potty break at ~10km. We even had brunch with the Ninjas afterward to formally welcome Jim back from Boston and I still felt fine. When I got home, I took a shower and crawled into bed and then my shin started hurting a bit but I thought it was just “normal” pain from running 34km.

On Sunday, the pain was gone for the most part and I was even able to swim 58 laps before we had to evacuate the pool.

On Monday, there was not much pain at all and we did a 25min Tempo run at ~5:00/km. It felt really good to be able to maintain that pace and I didn’t feel the shin the whole time. Unfortunately, that night, the shin pain came back in full force. 😭😔😩

Tuesday, the pain continued and I iced and massaged it, hoping it would go away.

Wednesday, instead of running with the Ninjas, Lisa, Tracey and I defected to the Team RunningFree ambassador event. We arrived at 6pm for the optional 5k group run. I ran for 300m and had to stop because of the pain. Tracey also had some knee pain so we ended up walking together. Misery loves company. 😣

On Thursday, a new couple came to our 47RunRun run club. Dr. Gill is a chiropractor/massage therapist/acupuncturist from the MotionCare Clinic across the street and found out about 47RunRun from IG. She was a godsend because I was going to book an appointment with a sports physio that night but I went to see her instead. Talk about serendipity and divine intervention!

At one point, she asked me if I was still intending to run Toronto Marathon and when I said yes, she said she would help me get there. I’m thankful that she was so supportive of my decision and didn’t try to convince me to forfeit the race.

She was very thorough with her assessment. She diagnosed me with inflammation of the superior extensor retinaculum (see below) and treated the area with electroacupuncture, massage, and laser. She even took a picture of my leg while she was treating me. How cool is that?!

I kept on icing and massaging it. She told me that it would get worse before it got better.

On Friday, the pain was still there but was marginally better.

Today, it was definitely better but I opted out of our Saturday long run and ended up baking cookies for the Ninjas instead. When I walked to MEC, I felt a bit of pain again so it was a good decision not to run.

I’m going to see Dr. Gill again on Monday. Fingers crossed that I’ll be good enough to run next Sunday!