Help-New to running

Probably shin splints. They happen to runners who change the surface they run on, the shoes they wear, or anyone new to running. I have heard that you should ice them and take it easy on them until they dont hurt so bad. I used to get them bad but not so much anymore

Poor form, if you run and land on your heel first you're sending all the pressure/stress straight up your shin which can lead to stress fractures, try slowing it down, leaning forward and landing mid/fore foot, it will force you to absorb the impact with your soft tissues (tendons muscles etc) not your bones and joints. Minimalist shoes force you into this style of running whereas shoes w/ huge soft soles allow you to heal strike without any initial pain. Shin splints SUCK, they take forever to heal and can lead to real long lasting damage, take a few days off to heal and then focus on your form.

oh and be warned, running mid/fore foot will force your calves to work a lot harder than they're accustom but muslces will heal and get stronger, bones will fracture.

In the words of Jillian Michaels that pain and burning your feeling in your muscles is your body changing. I've been doing her 30 day shred and believe me I hurt bad!!! It hurts to sit, it hurts to stand. But I'm not taking a day off because if I do my body won't change and every day of exercise will feel like the first day. Just make sure your opening up and stretching your muscles really well beforehand. Hope this helps

Try this way to lace your shoes:

http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4357246


I have been running for 20 years and switched to this about 10 years ago. It changes the tension of the pull(if that makes sense) and I have had no problems. Also try lengthening your stride.
J

All of the above, and avoid hills if you can until you get used to running.

Lots of good youtube videos on good running form!

Good luck!

Also, When I started running I wore traditional running shoes and would heel strike and get terrible shin splints, last year I switched to minimalist shoes and haven't had shin splints since. On occasion I'll get posterior shin splints but they're rare and not nearly as bad as normal shin splints.

Thanks for the form tips. This might be my problem. I know I have a problem with getting my feet up high enough. So the form is probably the issue for me. But I have been doing Plyometrics to hopefully that will help me out in landing on my forefoot and not my heel.

Rest up a bit and let them get better. Shin splints are no fun.

My first recommendation would be to look into shoes. If you haven't, you should go to a reputable running store and actually get your stride analyzed and get fitted for shoes. I know some people say they've gotten rid of shin splint issues simply by finding a good shoe.

This. When I first started running I got shin splints... Rest healed them up and new shoes prevented the problem from ever returning.

you can do pre stretches that do help. I'll stand in front of a curb and step up on it, put one foot behind curb and kind of use curb to bend your foot back. You'll feel the stretch in your shins. You can use steps if no curbs are around. Also make sure you have the correct shoes for your feet

Check out this article.

don't turn to bigger fluffier shoes to fix your problems, our bodies were designed to work without shoes.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/249085-barefoot-running-shin-splints/

Designed to work without shoes...but trained to work with them since we were 1. If you have been wearing shoes all your life, now is not the time to stop (or go toe shoes). Tons of opions both ways, but I would get fitted at a true running store and go from there. Congrats on running, it is still my one true escape, and the road beats a treadmil anyday!!

Good idea but definitely check out the site Often when something is uncomfortable or if we arent wearing the right type of footwear, in any physical activity, we compensate and the wrong muscles take a beating. Good for you for get started. take it slow and try not to fall to heavily with each stride because you want to save your knees.

Cheers !

I agree with a lot of the above but focus on playing around with your form and shoes and see what works for you. I run barefoot the vast majority of the time and when I'm not barefoot I'm in 5 Fingers (therefore I run on my forefoot). I also try to be barefoot as much as possible but I have a personal hatred of shoes.

Here's the thing though: I know plenty of avid runners who heal strike and wear normal running shoes. A lot is going to depend on you, your anatomy and what you like.

I will say that I was one of those people who always had shin splints from running until I switched to the minimalist approach. My calves and ankles killed me for a while until everything strengthened up though.

Good luck!

If you are going to0 run, get good running shoes fitted by a running store!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Take is easy
- Do some leg strength like lunges, squats etc.
- Do something like C25K to build up.
- Take rest days.

If you do that, you'll have fun. If not, I can tell you about surgery.

1. make sure you are wearing new running shoes that you were fitting for at your local running store (not ****'s). They need to be replaced every 300 - 500 miles (depends on weight of runner, the specific shoe, etc). Don't wear them for anything but your runs.

2. Ice them many times a day. The more the better, the sooner the better, it will help heal them faster.

3. Take ibuprofen every 4-6 hours for a few days to reduce inflammation.

2. Get a foam roller or use one at your gym. Roll out your shins to break up the connective tissue that is all globbed together (totally the technical term!lol). Just google foam roller and shin splints and you'll get lots of ideas and even youtube videos to help. I roll out several times a week, daily if I'm being diligent.

http://www.runnersworld.com/training/beginners

Tons of information here.