I have just started an 8 week training program for a 5km run and I have noticed that when I am running I get a pain in my shins. This has happened in the past and actually caused me to stop running altogether. This time I have bought a pair of (what the sales person said are) good running shoes and I thought that this would stop the problem but it hasn't. Today I was meant to do 20 minutes of run one minute walk one minute but I had to stop at 10 because my shins hurt too much. I was devestated because I really wanted to go the whole way and I am determind to be able to run 5k by the 18th of May when I am doing a race for charity.

Can anyone tell me what this pain is and ways of preventing/fixing it?

All help would be greatly appreciated as I DO NOT want to have to stop running!!!

Thanks

seach for shin splints... there's at least one thread on that topic..

You might not have a choice but to stop running while they heal

ouch - yeah shin splits are a bad buzz. Perhaps look into another form of exercise. I always wondered how they never got shin splits in Biggest Loser actually - making those really heavy people run all day every day :O

ymapazagain:

Shin splints totally suck. I feel your pain, literally. Unfortunately, once you get them once, there's no guarantee they'll go away for good. They can heal for a time, but they can come back fairly easily.

Here's the important part of my post though. A lot of times, shin splints, knee pain, and hip pain are a sign of bad shoes or shoes that aren't right for you. I know you said the salesperson told you your shoes are good running shoes, but if they aren't a good fit for your foot and your gait, then they really aren't good. Did you you buy them from a running store or from a shoe/athletic store? I realize this may not be something you want to hear since running shoes tend ot be pricey (mine were $140 and well worth the price), but you may want to go to a running store with the shoes you have. Explain to them your issues. If the store is a quality place managed and run by runners, they will either put you on a machine to get an imprint of your foot or they will at least watch you walk. And then the salesperson can suggest shoes that will be a good fit for your type of foot and gait. My feet are pretty f-ed up, so I don't have a lot of options. The store had three pair suitable for my foot type. As soon as I put the ones I wear on, I knew they were for me. They just felt right. Anyway, that's my two cents. Best of luck to you.

Tamara

Hey,

Thanks for the advice! Right now buying new shoes is far from an option unfortunately. I've started doing some stretches and exercises that people have recommended to help prevent and fix shin splints. As well as that I am going to get some inserts for my shoes to give a little more cushioning. If all that fails then I guess I will have to give up my idea of running 5km...which really devestates me....

About 2 years ago, I ran almost every other day and was up to 5 miles per run

I got a real bad case of shin splints and it killed me as I couldn't make it 1 mile

The best advice I can give is to REST, REST, REST your shins running-wise

Maybe take 1-2 weeks off all together then do some light leg drills in a weight room

I found in my college years that doing 2-3 days a week of light leg lights/drills helped my shins ALWAYS stay pain free as the muscle in them was better and thus prevented shin splints from occuring

you could ice in buckets for 20mins before your run. or take some time to heal and do pool workouts. make sure your doing proper stretching of your calf muscle cus its sometimes caused by a tight calf not being able to take impact. what shin splints is tiny fractures in your shin bones. so they need to heal to feel better or you could numb them if taking off of your training is not an option.