I caved...

Its not necessarily a bad thing, either.

I made an appointment with an orthopedic/sports med doctor, and I am dreading this appointment because I am scared of the news. After being "lectured" by many people (most runners themselves) and my mom, I caved and made the call. I guess it is something more than a strain or muscle pull when the pain doesn't go away for over a month. During that month, I rested for 2 weeks, iced, got new shoes, and have been wearing a compression sleeve on that leg. It seemed to get better, so I started running again. Actually, I started my half marathon training. It still hurts, but I have been running through it. It actually hurts worse when I start running and as I run, it subsides.

Some of my symptoms fit the stress fracture diagnosis. I have a localized dull pain on my tibia (shin bone), hurts when my toes are pushing off the ground, tender to touch. But, contrary to other symptoms, it gets better as I run, its not swollen or bruised, and it on the upper part of the tibia while SF's are usually on the lower part of the tibia. I don't know what to think. I guess thats why I'm going to a qualified professional.

Who knows if I will be able to run the half marathon. I am 3 weeks into my training, and if I can't do it, I will be very disappointed. I could probably still do the sprint tri, since only 3 miles would be running, and I have a 10k coming up in 2 weeks - Labor Day. I AM GOING TO DO IT! Even if I have to walk, I want to do that race. But we all know, I will probably end up running...