Taking tomorrow off…
I don’t want to, but I think it’s best. I didn’t do a good enough job trimming the foam insoles for my shoes. I now have blisters the size of quarters on the sides of my heels. Drained `em both, but it’s gonna take awhile to heal up. It’s a bit of a challenge to walk correctly, much less run. Better to wait this out, heal up and get back on track. I’ll probably risk more damage if I try to run now.
Meanwhile, I went to Wal-Mart and got me some drinkable coral based calcium (I checked my “Century”* multi-vitamin, and I wasn’t close to getting enough calcium. Hopefully that will help the shin splints. 
I’m down, but not out. Like Rocky said, it’s about how hard you can get hit and still keep moving forward.
*Compare to ‘Centrum’ brand vitamins, but cost a lot less!
April 2nd, 2007 at 1:31 am
OK, some people might disagree, but here’s my best advice (never accept advice from anyone, including me.)
1. Run through the blisters, or they’ll always keep coming back (keep trimming the insoles for comfort, too). Consider cycling socks or premium running socks available where you got your shoes. Also consider running in nylons between your feet and socks (yes, crossdressing). Personally, I run in cheap socks which feel like sandpaper, but I’ve seen many people successfully adopt those techniques. I have frequent blisters, and massive ones after ultraruns, but I just don’t feel them.
2. The shin splints are going to be with you for awhile. Do the calcium and run with the pain. One day soon you’ll look back and forget when the pain even stopped.
3. Take a day off whenever you need. Don’t feel guilty.
4. Just do what feel right.
TRP