More Magic Tape

Well after over a week of lap swimming (where 2-3,000 meters a practice was quite a chore on my own), I did 4,400 yards this morning with Team Ridglea. I realized:

1) I am getting exponentially slower of swimming these days, and
2) My shin even hurts when I swim!

I had an appointment with Dr. Brian during my lunch break, and he figured it out right away. I have pretty bad tendonitis, and he showed me how I could feel the tendon squeaking against the sheath. So apparently that is the same thing as a shin splint (only usually people misdiagnose themselves with this stuff, and I am spot on - what an accomplishment). It takes 2-6 weeks to heal, so I should be okay for the marathon but this has seriously squashed my training lately. I am not sure what I'm going to do about the marathon. Go easy and have fun? Go to California (with Cliff) and skip the marathon and just enjoy life? Give it my best effort and see what I can do... after all my early training was better than any distance running I've ever done? Decisions, decisions.

In the meantime I am going to stick with my swimming, stationary bike, and weight routine. Stacy suggested trying the elliptical machine, so I might add that in as well. I have about an hour between work and coaching, so I plan on hitting the federal gym and doing some light weights, core work, and cardio. I got the worst night's sleep though (the time change always kills me, plus I have a poopey whiney puppy)... a nap in the Civic sounds awfully enticing!

Operation Wedding Dress is in moderate swing this week (with the exception of New Years Eve and Saturday night), and then I need to figure out a plan for 2009. I want to lose about 15-20 pounds. Should I log my food and limit my alcohol intake? Should I try Weight Watchers again? Arrrghhh more decisions! I'm honestly thinking about posting my weight in my blog so I will have maximum incentive to lose it... although the three of you who read my blog already know how much I weigh :)