injuries

Some days I wake up and I feel like an old woman. I swear, I'm aging faster than most people! I am pretty sure this has a lot to do with the amount of high impact activity/sports I did as a kid and for most of my life.

My injuries started in high school really... shin splints set in my sophomore year of high school and got worse Junior year (I'd also put on some weight living abroad).

In college, I played rugby. Yes, this is a major contact sport... but my two big injuries weren't from getting hit. Both my shoulder and knee were injuries that, according to my Orthopedic, likely started long ago in soccer and gymnastics and then just got to the point where it took the right (aka wrong) pressure and BOOM, I was done.

As many of you know, after my 2nd blown joint in rugby I became pretty inactive for a number of years. I got pretty heavy and completely lost the "athlete" part of my identity.

This year, I did a few work outs with a trainer early in the year, but really wasn't eating smart (and I was drinking too much). But I learned a lot from him, so when I was ready to really get after it, I went to the gym on my own. It was the day after I had returned to Chicago after my best friends' wedding in Utah. I was doing some HIIT box jumps and I felt a pop in my heel. I knew immediately something was wrong. I stopped what I was doing and limped to the locker room to change and go home... I was in A LOT of pain. The next day I couldn't stand on my left foot. I knew I'd ruptured my Achilles.
I looked up the ways to rehab and at-home PT exercises (since I don't have great insurance)...and rested. Told myself no running until I knew it was really ready.
I limped for about 10 days and then I could walk normally. But even a slight jog to get across a cross walk faster sent pain up the back of my leg. So... I rested and I really focused on my diet.

A few weeks later was the Boston tragedy. There was a support run in the city I wanted to attend so I went. I ran 4 miles after 4 weeks of no running. I felt FINE during the run and I was pumped. Big Mistake because the next day I could hardly walk again.

SO I really cracked down and said NO RUNNING. I didn't start to run again until just a few weeks ago now. I've been taking it easy and doing some run/walk to ease myself back into getting mileage. But my heel hurts. Not in the same place as the injury was... my actual heel... on the sides. It's weird. I thought maybe it was just the Achilles (where it attaches) being achy, but now today, the other one hurts.
Maybe I have weak tendons all over my body?? I am going to focus on stretching A LOT more and try to find some yoga classes as maybe that will help with prevention of other aches and pains.

I know I'm in the right shoes. I work for a running store and have custom insoles HAHA... but I need to change something. My body hates me. I'm an old lady ;)