MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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Bored of them now. Really don't mind if they go away.
20 minute run was all it took. Had two weeks off. Tried again, only this time, somewhere flatter. Shin splints, two weeks off. Tried following couch to 5k running along the canal. After day two of the program, shin splints. Tried three different brands of running shoe, all in good condition.
At what point should I just give up?
Is it an imbalance in fore/aft Mus le strength caused by cycling that does it?
I hope you get an answer to this as I have an identical problem.
For me I was getting shin splints when overstriding and heel-striking as my leading foot was landing. Stopped overstriding, concentrated on leaning whole body forward while having the leading foot land underneath my body on the mid-sole of foot. Worked for me.
Lots of stuff on web regarding running form.
2 weeks is not enough time for shin splints to recover IME. From my dodgy legs, it can vary from 2 months to 18 months to fully recover.
I sadly just gave up running due to stupid shin splints. Not helpful advice though I know!
I seem to be one of those people who is unable to run due to shin splints.
Loooonnnggg recovery and the next time I run, I get shin splints.
I used to do thai boxing which required a fair amount of skipping...this too gave me shin splints.
I think i just have shit legs.
There are exercises you can do...7/8 years ago i saw a private physio who did stuff with an electrode whatsit, and gave me a few exercises to do. I trained for and passed the army medical, I was getting shin splints from running 1.5 miles, but after the treatment it got manageable but I still got them.
I saw a physio a few years ago for a similar thing. She suggested the pain I was experiencing was probably due more to the inflexibility I had in all the muscles from the knee down to the ankle. She gave me a lot of exercises and stretches to do, and I haven't suffered from shin splints for years.
I can't remember all the exercises, but it might be worth seeing a physio (or just googling the exercises). Don't give up, although do rest and ice if it currently hurts to run!
zigzag69's tips are also worth bearing in mind, as I've heard heavy heel-striking suggested as a cause of many runners' problems.
Try strengthening the shin muscles by leaning against a wall with your shoulers/back. Feet should be a foots width away from the wall. Now lift your toes by pivoting on your heels. Do as many as you can as often as you can. It usually happens to me when my calves are tight... like now.
You can also stretch them by kneeling on your bed (or somewhere soft) and rest your weight on the top of the feet (soles up towards bum).
Works for me.
hth
What zigzag said. Short strides and gradual build up of distance.
Onzadog I suffered from terrible shin splints a few years ago. I spent a fortune with a physio on ultrasound so I could try and manage the pain whilst continue to play hockey. In the end I took 3 months out and when I returned I used a different brand of shoe. They have never returned but I know how misserable they are. Its not want you want to hear but rest is about the best thing you can do...in my view
Cheers all. I'm currently seeing a biomechanist but it doesn't seem to be helping. flexibility doesn't seem to be an issue but I've wondered if I should try strengthening shin muscles with those big rubber band things. good to know people have suffered similarly but got through it. also good to know that if it is a total lost cause, I'm not alone!
ive always been led to believe shin splints are nearly always a combo of not warming up and/or poor footwear?
my shin splints stopped after i bought some proper running shoes
get a video analysis at your running shop, to see that your shoe supports your right 😀
perhaps try mid/forefoot striking if you don't already? barefoot-style shoes help promote this. could be worth a shot.