Dam to Dam 20K

Last weekend was Dam to Dam 20K race in Des Moines (12.4 miles). Aaron and I were determined at the beginning of the year to run this race. I had printed off training schedules, maps, registration info, etc. We both bought new running shoes and were fully determined to finish the 20K. My training started off rough; I started to get shin splints. No big deal, I get them occasionally, normally goes away after a week or so. They didn’t go away, in fact they got worst. So bad that I couldn’t even run a quarter of a mile without shooting pain in my shin. I did ice compresses and specific stretches for my shin, backed off of running, tried walking… and still no relief. I went to the doctor and she put me on an anti-inflammatory drug and gave me a series of stretches to do daily. She said if it doesn’t get better in a few weeks, come back and start physical therapy. I did exactly as instructed and they got better but not fully recovered. Finally 2 weeks before Dam to Dam, I was able to run a 5K on my own. I’m finally to the point where I can run a 5K every other day and have even taken it off the treadmill to the high school track with no problems. Still not chancing the sidewalks just yet. It is a bummer I couldn’t do Dam to Dam but maybe I still have a chance to run the Des Moines Half Marathon in October…

Aaron started off doing great with his training; he was being extra cautious seeing the pain I was in and wanted to avoid shin splints himself. But then life got busy, he got busier at work and yard work needed tend to so he slipped off his running schedule also. I think he probably would have stuck with it better if I was doing it along with him.

The day of Dam to Dam was rainy. I remember thinking to myself, I’m kinda glad that I am not out running in this rain today! But it would have felt nice to have been able to say I finished Dam to Dam. Hopefully next year we can accomplish doing so!