I am warning you shin splints, I will cut you.

I tried to go running last night, and it ended in abject failure.  I've been running in the same pair of shoes since Mayish, but only really started tracking my mileage in September.  And September and October tracking was sporadic at best.  According to my Nike+, I've put 120 miles on them since September.  I figured that I had an additional 100 miles on them (I never really stuck to any sort of training plan with running before that), so going by what the internet says (which we know is ALWAYS right), I still had about 200ish miles before I had to start using my new shoes. 

About 2-3 weeks ago, I started getting shin splints.  I thought it had to do with the fact that I was stretching properly.  Alright, I'll admit it.  I don't really stretch at all before I run.  Nor do I do a 10 minute warm up.  I know, I'm a bad runner.  But it's so cold that I just want to get out there and get 'er done.  (I imagined myself saying that like Larry The Cable Guy.  Whom I hate.)  I've really been trying to do more stretches, mostly aimed at my shins, but nothing is really working.  Last night was the worst I've ever had them.  I had to stop running after 3/4 mile and walk back home. 

Of course, being my lame self, I got all upset and practically cried.  I had visions of never being able to run without pain, and I'd have to give it up or something.  And then I realized I have a perfectly good, brand new pair of shoes at home to wear.  I compared the bottom of the two shoes, and man, there is a huge difference.  I tried taking a picture of them to show you, but since the pics weren't in 3D (does that even exist?), you wouldn't really be able to see how much my old shoes suck.

I'm going to get back out there tonight, and attempt my 5 mile run for the 2nd time, and pray that I don't feel any pain.  And if I do, I plan on cutting out the muscles in my shins that cause the pain.  What?  You mean I do need those muscles to run?  Damn.  I thought I came up with a fool-proof plan. 

So, please beg baby Jesus for me that I can have a great run tonight.  Or, keep your fingers crossed.  Either way works for me.