I need to cut my running time, pain is the issue, short time span fixes?

Question

I got a new pair of Nike Shox that fit very well. I put on my underarmor shirt, and tried to jog an 8 minute mile. I could not continue jogging the entire time because i felt pain in my heart mostly. I am a 22 year old non-smoker, 5'11" 185lbs (160lbs without my belly) who is used to standing/walking for 12 hours continous as a machinist. I am joining the Army, and only have about a week to get in shape to meet the entrance requirements. Luckily my situps and pushups are real good. It's just my heart can't take the endurance running. My lungs keep up (they feel like they're at 95% of being maxxed out though) and my legs didn't hurt. Until the next day. Now i have trouble walking because it hurts so bad on either side of my shins. I stunk the whole house up with BenGay and have tried to stay off my feet, and on the Gatorade.

Any advice? Could i take a bunch of ibuprofen to keep it from hurting when i run? I have to keep running, have yet to meet a qualifying score.

Answer 1

do not drink Gatorade, stick with water. it's a little late for the shin problem. try healing it for now, put ice and tape it when you run. when you run, try running light on your feet. do not land hard, or flat footed.

try getting some long runs. go and just jog or run for about 30 minutes the first weeks and increasing by 5 minutes the next week. you do not necessarily need to make it in 8 minutes, if you make it in 10 it is fine. just keep on jogging. the point is not to stop. this will make it easier to jog one mile continuously at an 8 minute pace. after two or three weeks, go back the on the track and time yourself. i am sure you will make it in 8 minutes. good luck

Answer 2

you will absolutely shave some time off by running in running shorts. you'll be more comfortable and they provide a lot more movement than jeans do.

i know this is probably not what you want to hear, but i would take 4 days off. really. that will help ease the pain you've been feeling. it will help your body recover.

many racers taper before the big day. the run less than they did during training or they don't run at all. your muscle memory will still be okay.

taking these few days off will help a bit with your shin splits (sounds like that's what's going on with your shins). i don't know about the heart pain though . . . . that's sort of scary.

good luck.