Damn Shin Splints....

Shoes totally play a roll. Get fitted at a running store. They will scan your feet, watch you walk ect. I have flat feet and need arch support. Shin splints also come from over use or too much too soon. The pounding of running puts strain on the shins (actually three areas in the lower legs) and connective tissue. Some runners will tell you to push through them but this could lead to stress fractures which will halt your progress with terrible pain!! Make sure you rest in between days, don't increase your miles each week more than 10%. I find ice after the run helps to reduce the swelling of the tissue. Stretching is key. I have been told that it takes about three months to get beyond the time when shin splints are common, which is because that is how long it takes to increase the strength of the muscles and tissue to support the area and tolerate the impact of running. I am on week 9 day 2 of couch to 5k and have a 5k in a week. I battle shin splints, they suck but I can promise they do get better if you take the proper steps to mitigate them! Good luck! And no matter how slow you are going, you're lapping people on the couch!!

I get them too. I bought 3 or 4 pairs of shoes until I found the right ones. I kept buying ones with the most cushion thinking that would help. Then saw Sketcher GoRuns on sale and bought a pair and haven't had shin splints since. I even ran 2 days in a row and I was never able to do that before! Running has become a whole new experience without the pain.