Running Background

My Running Background 

I ran cross country all four years of highschool, however it was a rough four years. I had shin problems my whole four years of running and was told all 3 years it was just shin splints and there was nothing you could do but to just stop running. I knew that I was not going to stop running, so of course I just ran through the pain. It got to be my senior year of highschool and I couldn’t even finish practices. I would get out one mile and have to fall to the ground because my shins felt like they were bursting and I couldn’t feel my feet.

I finally decided that this couldn’t be shin splints and that there was no way to run through it anymore so we went to a better doctor. Right off the bat he told me I most likely had compartment syndrome. I had to take a compartment pressure test where they put needles into each compartment into your leg and test the pressure. Then they take out the needles and you run until the pain is at it’s peak. After that they put the needles back in and test the pressure after running. My levels were extremely high after running and it was diagnosed. Next was surgery.

I had 3 incisions on each leg. I was devastated because I couldn’t run track because recovery was a long process, considering I had to relearn to walk and use my feet altogether. I was able to run 2 races in track because my recovery went so fast. Now I am more determined than ever to become the runner I always wanted to be, I want to be fast. My PR in cross country for a 5k was 24:04, considering my legs could not do anymore than that without hurting even more.

After surgery I successfully completed my first half marathon with a time of 1:45. I walked on the Southeast Missouri State University's Division I Cross Country and Track Team and competed for three years of cross country and two years of track and field.

Since graduating, I have completed 3 more half marathons and numerous other road races. You can read more about them on the blog :)