[antagonist]

Right leg, lower front shin to the ankle, muscle hurts something bad, everytime I stretch, it makes me wince. Every movement of my foot seems to pull on it.<br><br>
I'm a big dude, weighing in at about 260 lbs., running my first marathon a week from Sunday. I'm used to all sorts of pain but this is new.<br><br>
Any ideas of what it is and what I can do in a week to fix it??

 

[LeftRightRepeat]

Ah... So you're in taper. Everyone finds new aches in taper. Suck it up. Trust the training. It'll be OK.<br><br>
And have a blast in the marathon!!

 

[Gelette]

What LRR is probably right.<br><br>
But here is what I would do if it was me (translation: this info is provided with all care, but no responsibility..) or if you feel like you have to at least be doing something, being a typical type a personality..<br><br>
Cross fibre massage - that is massaging across from the shin bone across to the right, sliding off the side of tibialis anterior which is possibly the muscle which is giving you issues.<br><br>
Ice massage - especially after the above massage. Or a time or two each day after doing the stretch below. Fill a polystyrene cup with water and freeze it. Cut the top of the cup around, below the top of the ice. Apply directly to the skin, but keep it moving. Do this for about 5 mins.<br><br>
Kneel down, then sit down on your heels. This will stretch the shin muscles.<br><br>
Toe Taps - while sitting at your desk (or whatever) do sets of 10. Work up to 3 x 20. <i>Do not</i> overdo it. Keep your heel on the ground and tap your toes up and down.

 

[pcsronbo]

ARE you in taper?<br>
IS this new?<br><br>
You SHOULD be in taper, I'd say REST and STRETCH and MASSAGE between now and then and very little running. Sure sounds like a pull more than just tight muscles.

 

[Tri_coach06]

I'm with LRR. Phantom pain prior to the thon. Your resting anyway so you probably have nothing to worry about. When you lower your mileage, you kinda re-align and you get pain.<br><br>
RICE to be sure. Good luck, don't forget to let us know how you did.<br><br>
CS

 

[MBannon]

I hope I'm wrong, but...<br><br>
With 5,574 posts, I'm guessing you know about the medical forum here at KickRunners. Which means you have a long-term issue and you heard there's an orthopedic surgeon taking questions here in the multi-sport forum. In which case you need to go see the sticky "medical" thread that was started a couple days ago.<br><br>
But like I said, I hope I'm wrong and that everyone else is right about the phantom taper pains (which definitely DO happen).

 

[mmoonptdeux]

Hey Antag - obviously, I hope it's phantom taper pains<br><br>
But if it's not, it depends where in the ankle you're feeling it. If the pain is going from the front of your lower shin down to the outside and rear of the ankle, it's probably one of the peroneus muscles. If it's going straight down the front of your shin, then it's most likely the tibialis anterior or one of the extensor muscles underneath it.<br><br>
I've learned a hell of a lot of lower leg anatomy the past few months from my massage therapist - not fun at all. If there is actually an issue, use the RICE, maybe get in a massage session, and of course, good luck with your marathon

 

[VictorN]

Rest & relax. I like the idea of an ice massage, but at this point all massage should be gentle. Stretch only if it doesn't hurt. It is possible you tore something and stretching would not be good if that is the case.<br><br>
You might also try applying heat, especially in the evening.<br><br>
Although I normally like the idea of toe taps for strengthening the shins, you want to be careful introducing new exercises so close to your marathon. Again, let pain be your judge: if it hurts, don't do it.<br><br>
Your primary concern right now is to recover, rest, and heal.<br><br>
Victor

 

[antagonist]

I missed the sticky but that's exactly why I came in here.<br><br>
I started running at 400lbs., I'm used to the body having all sorts of aches and pains, like you wouldn't believe. Last Monday, I hammered down on a six mile run and that's when my leg went wonky. I came it several days of RICE but it's not getting any better and with a week to go to the marathon, I'm kind of freaked.<br><br>
Thanks for the advice everyone, I do appreciate it!!!!

 

[wyrillco]

Tag, REST. You've done the work for the race, so give yourself tons of rest. Swim or something if you need to work out.<br><br>
Take care, dude. You're gonna rock that marathon!

 

[jroden]

If the pain is sharp and worsens after a couple miles in the race, I'd jog back to the car and call it a day. If you continue to beat on that injury, you will get a stress fracture, which is your body's way of telling you to ease up.

 

[Cashmason]

Rest it. Till the VRAA is over.

 

[antagonist]

Ha!!!<br><br>
No way, even if my leg falls off, I'm putting up points.

 

[VictorN]

<br>
???<br><br>
How useful will "putting up points" be (whatever that means) if you have to take the next six months off to let an injury heal?<br><br>
Victor

 

[antagonist]

You don't unerstand the power of the VRAA.<br><br><br>
And I can put up points by stationary bike. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[valleysuper]

I'd watch that stationary bike to Antag, you may throw something else out of whack:<br>
And then Team L can sweep you up.<br><br>
Good Luck seriously though,<br>
VS