Shin-splints ???

I am not familiar with that shoe.... I'd recommend starting at a running store and see what they say is the appropriate shoe type for your foot structure and gait. (it might not be the end all be all of shoe procurement, it was not for me- but most of my running friends have had great luck starting there.)

If you are just starting out, don't push your speed or distance in the beginning. Take walk breaks when you need to. Your endurance will improve with time, and so will your legs' ability to withstand the constant pounding inherent to running. Speed will come naturally as you are able to build your mileage so don't worry about trying to run fast.

Some exercises for your shins--- try walking on your heels, with your toes up in the air. Then walk on your tip toes. "Write" the alphabet on the floor with your toes. I always make sure to do ankle circles, both directions.

After you run, ice your shins even if they don't hurt. I personally take Aleve on a regular basis, but I would recommend taking any anti-inflammatory or pain reliever AFTER you run rather than trying to mask it by taking it before and running harder than you should because it doesn't hurt as bad.

I'm sure others will chime in with more. This is what i personally have been doing after taking a 3 week break for shin splints in the middle of a half marathon training problem and I haven't really had any issues since.

ETA: I do warm up before I start my runs, but I do not stretch beforehand. I spend a good amount of time stretching after, but not before. If you do before- make sure you do a good warm up and you are not stretching cold muscles.

I recently bought a minimalist shoe (Vibrams 5 Toe) & it drastically reduced shin foot pain. I'll get a little sore when I first start out, but as I go along the soreness goes away. The only I don't like, is the bottom of my feet get sore after about a half hour - they feel like I've been walking for hours.

I do toe taps - keep my heel on the ground and raise the toe and ball of my foot as high as they comfortably go about 10 reps on each foot. I do this as part of warm up and cool down. I have seen ones where you lean against a wall and a number of other variations on this. I hope this helps.

I'm not a career runner or anything, but I am a long distance backpacker/hiker. After trying everything people would suggest from shoes to getting my gait tested my issue turned out to be tight calf muscles :-) Weird how everything is tied together. I stretched/foam rolled the crap out of my calves before and after walking/hiking/jogging and my shin problems went away. Just something you could try. Good luck!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1217573-so-you-want-to-start-running

That has a lot of useful advice.

I'd agree with other posters on good running shoes. I hurt my ankle just running in some shoes. I went to a running store and got properly fitted and haven't had any issues since.

visit a running specialty store and be properly fitted for shoes. here's why:

http://www.runnersworld.com/the-starting-line/how-buy-running-shoes

http://www.runnersworld.com/store-finder
:drinker:

I am trying to become a runner but have been having issues with shin splints. I have been using a mid foot style shoe for running/walking. (Sketchers Go Run) Does anyone have any suggestions on what may help elevate the pain and make it easier to continue running??

Do you have flat arches? Running used to cause me to get horrible shin splints to the point that I thought I couldn't run until I found out it was my flat feet causing the issue. For a while I used store bought arch supports (you can get them at a running store) and they helped alleviate most of the pain. Once I decided that I really liked running and wanted to stick with it I went and got custom made orthotics from a podiatrist. Now I run pain free (at least from shin splints

My shin splints were so bad I couldn't even touch my shins. My trainer suggested that my calves may be tight. He told me to massage them using the Grid (found it on Amazon). Haven't had the problem since. It's worth a try.

I second the arch supports.

I found using them in all shoes, even slippers helped with general posture realigning heals etc, which took the pressure off my feet, legs and all.

i recommend RICE

but honestly, unless your 18 or training for something, i think the best thing to do is

run

let them heal ALL THE WAY

run

let them heal ALL THE WAY

run

eventually they should heal much faster and soon you will not experience shin splints anymore.

I went yesterday and just walked for a few minutes and then began to run. I will say I got much further before feeling any discomfort and really had to stop more for my heart rate then for my legs. Thanks you all for the tips!! BTW..drums0203, I have a compression sleeve and usually wear it when I exercise. Thanks again all!!

I know you didn't ask for this advice, but here's my advice. Slow your pace. If your HR is getting too high to keep going, you're running too fast. Slow it down until you are running at a pace you think you can sustain (even if it's a very slow jog). You'll naturally get faster as you keep training, but for now, just slow it down.

Just wondering if you might do better if you do not try to run at the moment. I read somewhere that running only uses about the same calories as you would walking the same distance so you only, in theory gain time for something else. If you are not used to exercise you will need to "run" yourself in. Treat yourself as if you were a shiny new car. Go easy on yourself till you get stronger.