cross-training update

My update is of cross-training nature: this weekend I biked 50-55km every day and went to the spa for sauna-steam bath- swimming pool .Yesterday I walked for 30min to see how my leg feels, but the main sensation was cold (-5 C). I bought elastic bandages for ankle and lower leg for more support.

a tricky Q

I continue with some more biking, yesterday after work 30km, today I aim at 40km. and in the evening I do 45min-1hr callisthenics. It is a tricky issue: when should I re-start running? I don't feel any pain, today I even had to wear heels at a meeting with a patent attorney and my leg was ok. The only time I feel pain is when I press my thumb on the injured area. Luckily I can bike hard enough to be out of breath and feel I am getting a work-out. I also admit that I feel much better now that I can rest and sleep after all this mileage. I will wait for the weekend and see what I think then!

same as Monday

My fitness regime is pretty bland, same as Monday. The only difference, I added some balance exercises. Even though this morning my leg felt ok, now I can feel discomfort and there is some swelling/red skin going on. I do hope I am not taking steps backwards! I do my best to stay positive.

counting the days

I do my best to be positive and take it as a mental challenge. Yesterday I went biking 25km after work, and then did some callisthenics and free weights at home. I still apply ice and compress my leg, and I am very pleased that I feel it better every single day. For example, today I have not felt it at all, even though I biked to work, I climbed the stairs to the 20th floor and walked on the floor. I just feel my lower leg tired - or maybe it is me worrying too much. In any case some time this week I will do the 1hr walk test (walk intensively for 1 hr) and if there is no pain, I can resume gradually running. Nervous about that!
Another aspect of this setback is that unbelievable tiredness has surfaced. After one week of rest, I still sleep every day 10hrs.

good news hopefully by the end of this week

My update: After having looked at some videos @ utube, I suspect I have shin splints stage 1. In any case, all runners' injuries of the lower leg had approximately the same conservative treatment of R.I.C.E. , cross-training and gradual recovery. I feel my leg much better after one week of rest. I biked on Fri evening 15km, on Sat 55km and on Sun 60km. I also went to the spa on Sat and on Sun and hit the sauna - steam bath - swimming pool. Every evening I do callisthenics so that I don't lose much strength. I slept about 10-11hrs per day.
Regarding the equivalence of running/biking: Opinions vary, and of course it depends on weight-weather-incline. Some athletes say the equivalence is 6km biking = 1km running! I don't like to think in terms of equivalence. Running is running and biking is biking. Muscles work in a different way in every sport. One can stay fit in many ways, either by running, biking, playing tennis etc. But it is clear that even if my level of fitness stays high, when I return to running I will not be able to do very high mileage, without first a recovery period.
In the end of this week I will try to re-introduce running. I am already nervous, I do hope my leg won't hurt! I can still feel it sometimes when walking, not pain but light strain/soreness.

sleep almost back to normal

Every day my leg is getting better, and restraint is getting harder! I do my best to rest and stay true to my schedule of 1 week off, 1 week cross-train. Yesterday was the first day after 5 days in a row that I slept 11 hours instead of 12!

mental exercise

Yes I do think it is just a strained/pulled muscle but with my mileage it could lead to more serious problems. I try to look at this break as profound rest which will regenerate both mind and body. I cannot remember the last time I had 3 days of rest in a row! My everyday biking, stairs-climbing and callisthenics help my mood not to sink completely.
I am still sleeping 12 hours per day. This weekend I would like to start with cross-training.