The Foot Strikes...and the shins strike back...

t_shipp1

Over the last 5 years, more than any other point in my life, I have had issues with shin splints.

I grew up playing multiple sports per year from the time that I was old enough to be signed up for them. I was lucky enough to be able to make up for my height (5'8) with speed through my sports years.

But it seems that 24 is was the expiration date for my shins/ calves. While I had a physical job, I didn't do much running after I stopped playing sports. To get ready for Army basic training, I knew I had to start running again. I didn't know that I had to endure agonizing pain.

When I got to basic training, I was properly fitted for a new pair of shoes made for my foot type. Voila! No more shin splints! Off I ran! 6 months later I was in shape and fit to fight.

Buuuuut, then I stopped running as much as I should (Again). Back came the shin splints when I started back up. This time the type of shoe I had didn't matter. They were here and they weren't going to be appeased. No amount of time, rest, icing, stretching, easing into anything helped. It had to be how I was running. Right?

In comes the Mid-Foot Strike vs Heel Strike Argument. I was a heel striker. I didn't pound the road like a Clydesdale, but my foot his the pavement heel first in some degree.

I attempted to make the switch to a mid-food strike. I managed a meager landing somewhere between forefoot and midfoot. It did not solve my problem. In fact, in same ways, I felt like it made things worse. Especially in my now, seemingly, delicate calf muscles. (And this has been something I've been working on for awhile...to no avail)

Then, last night, in an "I give up" moment after my billionth failed attempt at improving my run time...I decided to run how I wanted to run. How I was comfortable. Heel striking. Suddenly I was running 40 seconds faster. I felt more efficient. My muscles didn't feel so tight and my legs so heavy.

I of course have a bit of soreness today, but nothing like what I've been dealing with previously. In fact, I feel like a made progress. So what the hell happened? Is this whole midfoot/ heel strike stuff just a bunch of shoe company, running coach malarkey designed to make money?

"A crummy commercial....Son of a *****":noway: