Dang shin splints

CChapa73
CChapa73 Posts: 5
edited September 29 in Fitness and Exercise
I've been gearing up for the Austin Half Marathon, and the dang streets have given me a baby shin splint and slowed my game. Anyone have any suggestions how to not ONLY run at the hike and bike trail???

Replies

  • CrazyAdventure
    CrazyAdventure Posts: 113 Member
    the hard concrete of sidewalks have given me terrible shin splints in the past. I stay far away from them anymore. I have noticed that I don't get the shin pain on treadmills as much. Or the tracks that are made of that weird cushiony material if you can find one. It's a black material, but is not asphalt or anything like that. I think many schools are transitioning to that material.
  • Lissajoy08
    Lissajoy08 Posts: 35
    I bought Dr. Scholls athletic insoles and they have helped alot! The sock liners that come in shoes are fairly thin... So I ripped them out and added those. They give me the extra cushion that I need.
  • byroman
    byroman Posts: 75 Member
    This may sound crazy, but give it a try. Before you strech, prior to your run, take a rolling pin and roll it up and down the meaty part of your shins 20 times to warm them up. I do this on my calves, quads, and thighs, too. It helps you to warm up before you start, and avoid nasty injuries like pulled muscles and shin splints.
  • stephinchiasma
    stephinchiasma Posts: 7
    Have you been fitted for running shoes at a running store?
  • CChapa73
    CChapa73 Posts: 5
    Wow, no, but it has definately been on my thoughts.... Waiting to get that "paper" to help. Will that do the trick?
  • stephinchiasma
    stephinchiasma Posts: 7
    It might. I was having problems with my shins and once I got fitted I haven't had any problems.

    Usually they measure your feet and watch you run, walk, and even squat barefooted and in the shoes. I was wearing size 10 regular and left with 10.5 wide.
  • Serenifly
    Serenifly Posts: 669 Member
    Oops haha changed my sig!

    Sitting in a chair, or laying in bed extend legs out

    Point Toes

    Write the Alphabet with your feet

    Full proof shin splint cure ... 3 times a day
  • DonPendergraft
    DonPendergraft Posts: 520 Member
    Losing weight helps if you are heavy. You don't look like that is your problem though. It was for me. When I ran a marathon on concrete and weighed 200lbs, it hurt. I don't think I would even notice at 165.

    Another approach is through a properly fit shoe with the proper amount of stability and cushioning. If you are a heel-striking severe over-pronator but wear only neutral racing flats, well, there you go.

    And yet another approach which works well on some, particularly lightweight, people is minimalist running. You have to learn to run on your forefoot and not your heal. Barefoot runners do this and some minimalists just wear something like Vibram 5 finger shoes. Alot of the success seems to depend on the distance. To a n00b, I don't see any way you could transition to this technique quickly enough for your race. Most people only run this way for short (less than 5 miles) distance because it kills the calves!

    Lastly, just because the race is on concrete doesn't mean you have to train on it. Train on a soft surface and hope for the best come race day. Good luck!
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