Hey Runners/Joggers and yeah even you weight lifters

Congrats on taking on the challenge of your first half marathon!

I'm not a doctor, but I'm a runner, and the most likely culprit is shin splints. I agree with aswearingen22's advice re: going to an actual running store and getting properly fitted for shoes; that will likely be a large help to your training, whether these are shin splints or not. Don't just buy the shoes that look nicest, that are recommended on websites, that are on sale, etc. - go to a dedicated running store and get fitted. Icing is also a good call.

The biggest source of injury for runners is doing too much, too soon. If you're not already doing so, find a half marathon training plan online and use it as a guideline for your training. Don't try to do a whole lot more than it recommends; it'll ease you into increasing your distance and help keep injuries at bay.

As for the specific diagnosis, if you find that shoes/icing/compression sleeves/etc. don't do the trick, go see a doctor and get checked out. There are certainly more serious injuries (e.g., stress fractures) that can come into play and can't be diagnosed even by the very best MFPals. ;-)

Happy running!!! :flowerforyou:

bert - couldn't agree more! I was wondering what his base is and if he's jumping into the half training before he's ready. And yea, stress fracture is a good call if it's not shin splints. I hope that's not the case!

This may help you: http://sock-doc.com/2011/04/shin-splints/ His information helped me cure my plantar faciiitis.

Just over a month ago I started running for the first time in years. I selected a route along a local trail (paved) and got started. I jogged as far as I could, walked for a little while, then went back to jogging, and so on and so forth. By the time I covered the 2.25 mile route I was dead tired and my legs ached.

I was eager and thought I could push through it, so I repeated the process the following day. My legs hurt even more. Sharp pain in my shins while walking and pain in my calf while jogging. I was stubborn about it and refused to give up. I would up limping / hobbling the entire route and kept telling myself that I could just work through the pain.

I switched to running every other day and after about two weeks I just couldn't do it anymore. The pain was too much and became a problem on my 'off days' as well. I did some reading about the problem and came up with the same information that you did. Weak calves putting strain on the shin.

I took a week off from running and did a series of stretches as often as I could (I don't remember where I found them, there were 5 or 6). I also iced my legs as often as I could. At this point the best I could do was run for a 1/2 mile before needing to walk for a bit.

When I hit the trail again after taking the week off, I covered the first half of my route (1.1 miles) without any walking. The time off, coupled with new running shoes, stretching, and ice did wonders for my running.

I'm still running into some pain in my calves when I stop to walk a bit (at my turnaround point). I've learned to not try pushing through it. If what I'm experiencing is more than a little discomfort, I'll walk the rest of my route to avoid another week long setback. In my case it was most definitely pushing too hard, too fast.

My goal is to be able to run a 5k (from start to finish - no walking) by the end of summer.

Shin splints are an indication of weak ankles. Make sure that you have the right shoes, get fitted by a professional if needed.
A good exercise to help strengthen your ankles is to sit on a chair with your leg outstretched, point your toes to the floor and trace every letter of the alphabet (this will work your ankle in every direction) I got this advice from a very seasoned runner (5k, 10k, marathon, 100 mile... you name it, he does it) Do it everyday and in a few weeks you should start to notice a difference. Good luck and keep training, just listen to your body and give the rest that it asks for!

Thanks everyone for the tips.. And yes my shins have been feeling better with the new shoes..
I think I need to get outside more in my jogging, right now i have been limited to the treadmill at the gym. I ventured outside the other day for a mile jog and I think that's what caused the shin splints to flare up again..

When you're running on the treadmill, are you increasing the gradient to at least 1%? This is to simulate uneven surfaces and does help your legs, especially if you're always on the treadmill. My 2 cents is to ditch the treadmill and run outside if possible. Completely different and more rewarding experience!

Good luck, hope it all works out for you!

PS. I ran my first half this March and had to contend with ITBS through my training (pain on the outside of knee). I was able to self-cure by incorporating cross-training and strengthening my hips (Glutes - did this by doing squats, glute bridges, good mornings etc etc).