07 June 2009

Day 15


observatory and me, originally uploaded by Ryan Runs Europe.

40 Kilometers.
A rough run. It was raining off and on, so early on in the run I stopped to wrap all my clothes up in my space blanket so they wouldn't get wet. The result of this was 40 kilometers of space blanket crinkling sounds. I decided to not follow the highway, but instead take the country roads to Oudenaarde. This seemed like a good idea until I got onto the roads, and realized that there was no straight way, and that I had to stop every 400 meters or less to look at my map because the road split another 5 times.
I woke up in Antwerp a few days ago with a pain in my shin...and it has bothered me since then, but it really started to bother me on this run. I don't think the frequent stopping and starting helped much. After about 20 km of running, it started bothering me so much that I couldn't run. Despite the fact that it was drizzling rain, I decided to walk the rest of the way. Let me just say: walking sucks. It takes about 3 times as long to get anywhere, and when it is raining, that is not ideal. For the first time, I started feeling a bit bored, so I put in my headphones and listened to some of the hundred or so songs I put on my phone before I left.
I wasn't in a great mood, for obvious reasons...but I came across a cool observatory tower in the middle of nowhere and climbed up it. There isn't quite anything to cheer you up like a good view.
I got into Oudenaarde pretty late...around 4, and bought a bag of frozen peas to put on my shin. After a bit of icing, I went to my host Lieselot's place, another couchsurfer. We had some good dinner, and she gave me some icy/hot type stuff for my shin. I also took an anti-inflammatory.
I think I'm going to take it easy for the next couple of days and do some more boring walking in combination with easy running. Hopefully this thing passes over soon.

4 comments:

  1. Ryan, Sorry you had a rough day and especially pain on your shin. Hope you feel better. Please take it easy and be safe. We love you.
    Phula

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ryan, Doc said that you need to change your shoes often or take a break for your chin problem. No flat foot running or you run heel to toe. I'm sure you already know about that. Take care. Love Carters

    ReplyDelete
  3. yikes. be careful with that shin!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ryan, here an advice from me (the wife of Matthijs, from Willemstad) maybe you have 'shin splint'. You can read about it on the internet. The most important thing to do is take a break and control your shoes, maybe you 'overpronating' your foot and you need a special sole.
    Gr. Marleen (by the way I'm a physiotherapist)

    ReplyDelete