Another gentle 5km tonight. The shin splints are still painful, but I believe they are getting better. This is the first time I've properly attempted to run through them. Usually I have to rest anything up to 3 weeks before the buggers clear, but this time I'm using a combination of mummy-like taping of the feet and a very gentle pace (little more than a jog really) to convince them that they have no option but to get used to it. Consequently, I'm doing a slow 5km every second day until the problem goes. I've made too much progress overcoming what was a serious knee problem to let shin splints blow it out of the water now. And the important thing is that I am getting the mileage done, and regularly at that.
Still, I oscillate almost daily between extreme frustration and endorphin-boosted optimism. But thus far I'm hanging in there. And helped not a little by the various blogs here as everyone overcomes their various challenges to run down their goals. Great stuff!
I think I'll drink to that...