I want to be a runner BADLY! I envy runners (like my husband).
I want to feel the pavement pounding underneath my swift feet... The problem is that my leg bones do not share my desires. WHY? Booo-hooo!
Here is the deal-- I have tried to start running many times, but it ALWAYS ends in shin splints and sore legs. Usually, I can get through a couple of weeks of a program before the pain sets in. I have tried a program like the couch to 5K that took it slow and steady, but the shin pain showed up to ruin my stride. After a LOOOONG time (several months) of no running, I tried it again today. I felt a new pain that I have never felt before... Instead of pain on the insides of the bottom of my legs, I felt pain directly at the front bottom parts of my legs, from below my knee to above my ankle. It felt like my front leg bone was going to crack. Grrrrrr. BTW- I only ran for 1 minute when the pain set in. I cooled it down to a walk and then tried another minute a few minutes after, but the same pain was there. Okay... The worst part... All of this running was not even running! It was a light jog/fast walk for most people- 4 mph.
Do I have to accept the fact that I just may not be a runner? Is it possible or likely that once I shed some pounds, my legs will be able to handle the stress of running?
I know there are heavy runners out there! What am I doing wrong?