Ugh...Shin Splints

kopmom

I am training for a 1/2 Marathon (Rock & Roll Philly) that is Sept 18th. I was a bit behind in my training because I had a foot injury and then was so tired all the time from a thyroid issue. Now everything is better except I did a 7 mile run last week and now my shins hurt ! I tried stretching and ice and then tried to do 3.5 yesterday but they still hurt. My schedule calls for 3.5 this Friday and my long run of 8 miles Sunday. Any advice??

I am already behind and hate for this to set me back even more !!

LolasEpicJourney

I hope you can figure it out!! I am dealing with shin splints right now and trying to figure out what is enough but not t too much : /

aippolito1

The only thing that helps my shin splints if rubbing them 'til they hurt. Like, rub the parts that hurt the most. IT SUCKS but it will feel better afterwards. Try rolling it with a tennis ball and definitely stretch your calves BEFORE you run because it can prevent shin splints. Search active.com for shin splint stretches. They work, seriously. I only run on a treadmill now because it's too hot outside but when I was running outside, just doing 2 of their shin splint stretches before my run, I never had shin splints once I started doing them.

Inlet

Compression sleeves specifically for shin splints saved my shins.

hstallings13

try icing them before you run and after, take ibuprofen, and then wrap your leg from ankle to knee. The pressure on it helps with the pain. I use to get them all the time playing tennis and that is what the trainer at school had me do. Looked silly with my skirt...lol...but it helped...a lot

solflyer81

This sounds a little crazy, but i swear it works. I ve always gotten shin splints super easy my whole life. A trick i use is to walk backwards. I try and walk 1/4 of a lap backwards. I know it looks crazy but it works, something about working the muscles in reverse tends to relieve it completely for me. i am not a long distance person though, I hate it, always have. So for me it makes it go away almost completely in the first day, gone completely the next. For you and the amount of miles you are doing, you might aim for a full lap on a track if it doesnt embarrass you too much.

CavewomanCoby

Ice them after every workout and get better shoes....I changed my shoes and my shin splints literally disappeared

kopmom

Thanks everyone for the advice.
I did wear my compression sleeves for that run (not sure if mine are made for shin splints, I think not) and I did juts get a new pair of shoes for my run Friday since I really have not gotten new shoes since my 10 mile race in May

hbkanumalla

Shin splints can be a definite pain! I know when doing marching band back in my undergrad years, one way to help relieve the pain and possibly prevent future shin splints is to sit in a chair and trace the alphabet (I do upper and lower case) with my big toe. Hope this helps!