shin splints

And also make sure that you drink enough!

What surface are you running on? Concrete sidewalks are 10x harder than asphalt (paved road or trail) and put more stress on the legs. I run on the side of the road wherever it's safe to do so.

I've been having trouble with shin splints too, ever since I started C25K. The first couple days went fine, but after the third, I just couldn't jog anymore. To be fair, I mistakenly did all three days in a row instead of spacing them out over a week.

I still walk everyday, and each time I give interval jogging a shot, but my shins are screaming after 30 seconds. Today I tried intervals of just powerwalking, but even that hurt too much after the third interval.

It's too bad because I actually really enjoyed C25K, despite thinking for years that I would NEVER jog.

I had them before when i was trying to increase mileage to quickly. The following I learned from a Mayo Clinic health newsletter years ago: the PRICE method. It can be applied for ankle sprains, shin splints, and other soft tissue injuries. P=Protection (wear a bandage, I used an ACE bandage around the shins for shin splints, or ankle brace for ankle sprain, R=rest, it can be a bummer, but you really have to let the injury rest at least for a little while to start the healing process, a few days to a week minimum, I=ice the injury to reduce inflammation, C=compression, similar to the Protection part, wear a wrap or brace, something to keep constant compression on the injury (make sure it is not so tight to cut off blood flow, though.), E=elevation, rase your injury above your heart level whenever possible, or at least up as high as you are able, this also will reduce/help with the inflammation. I took a few days off, wore ace bandages when running, and all day for a couple weeks. I also would lie down, with pillows under my lower legs, with ice on the injured area as often as I was able. It WILL get better, with time and proper care. Once they've had some time to heal, you can begin running again and they should continue to improve. Listen to your body, it will let you know how it is healing. Good luck to you. Don't give up!

Search google for shin splint stretches. There are some specific ones which are really good. Do these, be gentle on yourself and work your way into it, they'll be gone in no time!

double post, sorry

I agree about proper shoes/shoe care. Don't skimp there.

I have shin splints, too! I agree with what the others here have already said. Make sure you have good running shoes with good support, stretch as much as possible before running, start out slow and build your way up, and ice afterwards. The other thing I've found is that running style can make a difference. My shins tend to bother me far more when my stride is too long. I've been much more successful keeping my body weight over my feet when I put my heel down and then kick out further behind me.

Good luck!!

Ouch shin splints are no fun, I've had them twice now! After three weeks of pain while walking I finally went to the doctor and he told me what I didn't want to hear - that the best treatment is just rest. It took me 6 weeks to fully recover and after I did I improved my running technique in order to avoid them in the future. (If you have a running shop near you, they will most likely have a treadmill with a camera where they look at your running technique and advise you on how to improve it, try to get out without them selling you a paid of £100 shoes though!)
As for the pain, I found the best was to reduce it was ibuprofen and Deep Freeze spray a couple of times a day.
I really advise against running while you are still recovering though as you can make the problem worse or even injure your other leg as you try to alter your running step to reduce the pain. Great alternative exercises while you recover are swimming or cycling as they give you the work out you want but there's little to no impact on your lower legs!