Front of shin discomfort while running

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2

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  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
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    nicola8989 wrote: »
    thank you - I started at the end of June and I'm doing 3 runs a week. I did cycling on an exercise bike before but I had to have a month break because I had a virus.

    I'm also thinking - should I reconsider the shoes I wear during the day when not running? My work shoes are just little ballet flats with thin soles and not very much support - might changing these make a difference?

    Still not an expert, but from personal experience, I get sore shins from walking long distances in flat shoes. I have a decent arch to my foot, don't know your structure. Also, my ballet flats don't stay on as well after they stretch out and my compensation when walking to keep them on makes me sore.
  • nicola8989
    nicola8989 Posts: 381 Member
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    my ankles get sore walking long distances in flat shoes - I'm going to buy some with more support.
  • adescut
    adescut Posts: 19 Member
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    @pzarnosky How long did you have to stop running for before you started back? I have tried everything and now finally stopped running for a bit.
  • pzarnosky
    pzarnosky Posts: 256 Member
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    adescut wrote: »
    @pzarnosky How long did you have to stop running for before you started back? I have tried everything and now finally stopped running for a bit.

    I had to stop completely for a month :( It took 2 weeks for the pain to start to go down because I was at the point where any pressure on my right leg was incredibly painful. Then I slowly started working my way back into it. What I found was that tredmills are a no go for me. People like them because they are softer than pavement so it's more cushioned. For me it's too soft and my body doesn't do well with it. I stay off the tredmill and stick with pavement, gravel, or trails and am pain free :smile:
  • adescut
    adescut Posts: 19 Member
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    pzarnosky wrote: »
    adescut wrote: »
    @pzarnosky How long did you have to stop running for before you started back? I have tried everything and now finally stopped running for a bit.

    I had to stop completely for a month :( It took 2 weeks for the pain to start to go down because I was at the point where any pressure on my right leg was incredibly painful. Then I slowly started working my way back into it. What I found was that tredmills are a no go for me. People like them because they are softer than pavement so it's more cushioned. For me it's too soft and my body doesn't do well with it. I stay off the tredmill and stick with pavement, gravel, or trails and am pain free :smile:

    Thank you. Theres hope then.
  • nicola8989
    nicola8989 Posts: 381 Member
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    I emailed the shop I got my trainers from and they recommended I go for some with a flatter heel to prevent shin splints - what do you think?
  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
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    nicola8989 wrote: »
    I emailed the shop I got my trainers from and they recommended I go for some with a flatter heel to prevent shin splints - what do you think?

    Get an evaluation done before spending the money is my thought. I won't buy shoes until I physically spend time in the lm being evaluated and running. Not saying they are wrong, but don't order them online or anything.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
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    OP, what is your foot strike?
  • nicola8989
    nicola8989 Posts: 381 Member
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    I think I heel strike but I'm not 100% sure
  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
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    nicola8989 wrote: »
    I think I heel strike but I'm not 100% sure

    Definitely an important piece of information to know that they can tell you in an evaluation.
  • nicola8989
    nicola8989 Posts: 381 Member
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    oh and neutral - never know which is which!!
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
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    nicola8989 wrote: »
    I think I heel strike but I'm not 100% sure

    You probably are then.

    http://www.chirunning.com/blog/entry/the-whole-story-on-shin-splints

    Go run outside very briefly (when your shins are healed, and only for 30 to 50 metres), without any shoes on. Preferably grass. After a couple of strides, you'll find yourself running on your mid foot or your toes... that's how our feet are meant to run. Even if you're wearing shoes.
  • nicola8989
    nicola8989 Posts: 381 Member
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    kkenseth wrote: »
    nicola8989 wrote: »
    I think I heel strike but I'm not 100% sure

    Definitely an important piece of information to know that they can tell you in an evaluation.

    Thanks - I definitely will go and get fitted - it's an expensive (and important!) piece of equipment to be buying the wrong kind!
  • nicola8989
    nicola8989 Posts: 381 Member
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    IsaackGMOON wrote: »
    nicola8989 wrote: »
    I think I heel strike but I'm not 100% sure

    You probably are then.

    http://www.chirunning.com/blog/entry/the-whole-story-on-shin-splints

    Go run outside very briefly (when your shins are healed, and only for 30 to 50 metres), without any shoes on. Preferably grass. After a couple of strides, you'll find yourself running on your mid foot or your toes... that's how our feet are meant to run. Even if you're wearing shoes.

    So should I be looking for flatter shoes to correct the problem?
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    edited July 2015
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    nicola8989 wrote: »
    IsaackGMOON wrote: »
    nicola8989 wrote: »
    I think I heel strike but I'm not 100% sure

    You probably are then.

    http://www.chirunning.com/blog/entry/the-whole-story-on-shin-splints

    Go run outside very briefly (when your shins are healed, and only for 30 to 50 metres), without any shoes on. Preferably grass. After a couple of strides, you'll find yourself running on your mid foot or your toes... that's how our feet are meant to run. Even if you're wearing shoes.

    So should I be looking for flatter shoes to correct the problem?

    Not necessarily. You have to find a shoe that fits your feet. This is usually done by either trial and error, but I'd advise going to a specialist running store and having your gait analysed, you'll be given a recommendation of shoes which fit.

    I used to run on Nike Flyknit 4.0's (quite big heels), but I still used a mid foot strike. I then switched to the 3.0s and still had the same foot strike. Also used Reebok Realflex before hand.
  • skippygirlsmom
    skippygirlsmom Posts: 4,433 Member
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    nicola8989 wrote: »
    I think I heel strike but I'm not 100% sure

    Find a store that will put you on a treadmill and let you run. Also ask about their return policy, the place I buy mine will take them back even if you run in them for a week and hate them.
  • klmnumbers
    klmnumbers Posts: 213 Member
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    oh, and semi-related - most running shoe stores have a 30 day policy if the shoe is not working out (and you don't run through mud, etc). So, I'd see if you can go and get your running gait tested and return the 2 week old pair you have (assuming they have one of those policies). Or maybe the shoes are fine (after you verify with a gait test) and you can hold onto them and get the shin compression thingys someone posted earlier.
  • nicola8989
    nicola8989 Posts: 381 Member
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    That's great advice thank you everyone xx
  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
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    IsaackGMOON wrote: »
    nicola8989 wrote: »
    I think I heel strike but I'm not 100% sure

    You probably are then.

    http://www.chirunning.com/blog/entry/the-whole-story-on-shin-splints

    Go run outside very briefly (when your shins are healed, and only for 30 to 50 metres), without any shoes on. Preferably grass. After a couple of strides, you'll find yourself running on your mid foot or your toes... that's how our feet are meant to run. Even if you're wearing shoes.

    I can't speak for anyone else but mine changes (from heel to toe) as I go from my slowest run speed to a full out sprint. Although when my heel is hitting first it's not slamming into the ground, it's more like the weight gets evenly distributed as my foot "rolls" across the ground.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
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    LiftAllThePizzas wrote: »
    IsaackGMOON wrote: »
    nicola8989 wrote: »
    I think I heel strike but I'm not 100% sure

    You probably are then.

    http://www.chirunning.com/blog/entry/the-whole-story-on-shin-splints

    Go run outside very briefly (when your shins are healed, and only for 30 to 50 metres), without any shoes on. Preferably grass. After a couple of strides, you'll find yourself running on your mid foot or your toes... that's how our feet are meant to run. Even if you're wearing shoes.

    I can't speak for anyone else but mine changes (from heel to toe) as I go from my slowest run speed to a full out sprint. Although when my heel is hitting first it's not slamming into the ground, it's more like the weight gets evenly distributed as my foot "rolls" across the ground.

    I know what you mean. When I used to run, I'd generally have an RPM of 100-110, I was quite light on my feet. But I suspect my pretty bad heel striking is what caused my shin splints, Idk, I can't speak for everyone either :)

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