severe shin pains while walking

ms_sugar
ms_sugar Posts: 23 Member
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok so this past week I started walking to work about 15-20 blocks. I have been wearing my chest strap so I can monitor the my cardio and heart rate

When I am at the gym I can get my cardio up to 160 when I am pushing myself. Last year I also took up jogging (which I havent done in about a year) and I could also do some jogging on the treadmill with no issues.

But since I have taken up walking to work I am getting intense pain in both my shins or calfs where it feels like my legs are actually locking or seizing my muscles in my calfs. I start off strong and then by the 2--5 minute mark I cant pick up any speed because my legs.

So instead of getting any cardio im barely breaking a sweat and it barely seems worth the walk. I am wondering if any of you have heard of this?

I am thinking maybe its because I am just starting up walking again but I have never ever experienced any pain before while walking.

Actualy last month I even walked the same distance and I was speed walking to get to an appointment in my $30 cheep *kitten* boots (flat) and I did not feel any pain at all and Im sure I was going way faster then I walk when I have been walking to work.


ANY IDEAS?

Replies

  • mousepaws22
    mousepaws22 Posts: 380 Member
    I suffer with shin splints and tight calf muscles. For the shin splints I just do a lot of stretching and I mean all the time not just when I'm at the gym, when I'm sat at my desk at work and at home as well. I just googled how to prevent shin splints or stretches for shin splints I think and they definately help. With the calves I haven't found anything that works yet so just have to put up with it so far!
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    It really sounds like shin splits. What kind of shoes are you wearing? Treadmill vs outdoors is very different.
  • WatchMomRun
    WatchMomRun Posts: 91
    Wow that's tough!! My friend is recovering from them and was has been a runner for years, and boom, suddenly they hit and when she went to an orthopedist he told her if she hadn't come in when she did she could have caused a lot of damage. She had to go on crutches until she healed. She is NOT an aggressive runner either, very casual so she was shocked. You really should see a doctor about it to be sure. In the mean time try compression socks. I wear them to prevent the shin splints but they are also good for sufferers. Good Luck :)
  • elenabab
    elenabab Posts: 8 Member
    This could be tight muscles, but you can have these symptoms from low potassium or high calcium levels in your blood, which could be due to a number of conditions. You could try eating a snack that is high in potassium before you walk and see if it helps. Otherwise you may want to have your blood work checked, just to be safe.
    Take care!
  • Sagelit
    Sagelit Posts: 78
    This will depend on the pain's location and if it feels like muscles or bone, but when I got going walking again it took my calves and ankles a few times to get back into it without hurting.
  • conchita962
    conchita962 Posts: 327 Member
    Get to a running store to get fitted for shoes!!!!!!! TRUST ME!!
  • tecallahan
    tecallahan Posts: 732 Member
    Stretching and lots of it is all you can do for that... It could also be about your shoes. To stretch your shins, drag your toe behind you as you take a few steps forward. Repeat on other leg. To stretch your calves, you can do heel drops on a curb -- just stand with the ball of your feet on a curb and drop your heels you will feel a stretch in your calf.

    Make sure you are hydrated, too!!

    I did the 60 mile walk for breast cancer in October, and through most of the summer suffered with shin and calf cramps -- I had to stop and stretch every few minutes at the beginning of each training walk -- finally they would loosen up. I did get plantar fascitis in one foot -- which comes from your calf muscle pulling on it's insertion point in your foot -- so stretch, stretch and then stretch some more.

    If you sit at a desk for work, lift your foot and flex it during the day -- fluid can accumulate in your lower legs and make everything tighter. My podiatrist also wants me to stretch my calves all through the day, but I forget a lot...
  • skinnylove00
    skinnylove00 Posts: 662 Member
    this happens to me when i speed walk! my shins become so tight its really hard to move them. when i played tennis they hurt so bad during one match i couldnt even finish the match, i had to walk off the court. it must be my shoes, but ive tried so many pairs alreadyyy. when i run they dont hurt though, so i just stick to running!
  • kmbrleykay
    kmbrleykay Posts: 79
    want to come back later.
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