sore shins

I'd recommend doing a different exercise, at least for a while... I got shin splints terribly when I first started out with jogging. Not fun. So I switched to Turbo Fire - mostly strengthening classes at first. Been doing Turbo fore a bit over 4 months. About a week ago I took a 20 minute jog and wasn't bothered at all.

You really shouldn't be doing what you're doing if it's hurting you that badly - you could do permanent damage. If you won't stop at least for a while, try lessening the intensity or the duration of it. New shoes could help, but only so much. I tried that myself and it didn't do much for me, though it did help a little. You could also try stretching the shins before and after exercise. That also helped me a little.


Taken from http://www.sportsmd.com

"According to Roberts, the best cure for shin splints, once you have them, is rest. The length of recuperation depends upon the severity of the condition. Physicians may also recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs and stretching.

Roberts recommends two shin splints stretches to help prevent and aid in shin splints recovery. For the first stretching exercise, with shoes off, sit on a chair and extend one leg straight. Flex the toes and foot toward the body, then point the toes away. Repeat the shin splints stretches exercise ten times and switch legs.
For the second shin splints stretches exercise, stand on a step, facing the step. Move back so the heels will freely drop below the step. Put a micro-bend in your knees and allow the heels to drop below the step. On exhalation, lift as high as possible on the toes. Repeat ten times and rest."

Edit: I just watched a video on plyometrics - wow. That is insane! So I gotta ask if when you are doing this, when your feet come down to the ground, are they hitting front heavy (the front of the foot first) or back heavy (heel of the foot first)? Because with proper running form, and I would have to assume also with what you're doing, you want to hit the ground with the front of the foot or the middle of your foot first. I posted another link below that might help you out.

http://celestinechua.com/blog/10-reasons-to-go-barefoot-running/

You may also want to look at getting orthotics for your shoes (and possibly new shoes). I was getting the same sort of shin splints you describe (though not nearly so badly) so went to my physio. He had a look at the way I stand and my gait and it turns out I over-pronate quite a bit which was putting strain on the muscles and tendons on the inside of the shin when I run and causing pain. He recommended I try some off the shelf orthotics that he then heated up to mould to my foot. I haven't had any problems since (apart from breaking in the orthotics that is).

First and foremost get your biomechanics checked - if you overpronate etc the problem will keep recurring. A professional can advise on orthotics and/or exercises to strengthen weaker sides or muscles.

I second the gait evaluation along with new shoes. I was wearing a "great" brand of shoes and got to the point where I could barely walk. I knew I had flat feet (#1 cause of shin splints from what I've read) but thought good shoes would be enough. I rested, bought new shoes and orthotics based on gait analysis, started doing the stretches mentioned above all day (it's easy to do at desk during the day) as well as ankle rotations (foot circles). I also warm up by walking around on my heels for about 5 mins. Two weeks later (based on recommendations for rest period), I started up again and it was like I had new legs! I still focus my training on lower leg muscles and probably always will. Hope that helps.