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Shin Splints UGH!!!!!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

So now that we've reached the point in the story where I've discovered my true love - running , along comes the antagonist to wrench us apart - shin splints. How do I conquor this evil villain?

I've already recieved the worst advice - stop running. Come on people, I have to believe there's a happy ever after for my love and I at the end of this story. Don't dash my dreams here.

I've read that stretching before the run helps but I've also read that you shouldn't stretch till afterwards but that you should warm up first - which I do. I walk for 5 min per our courtship guidelines (i.e. C25K). Should I stretch before the 5 min, in between the 5 min and the first jog, or only after?

Also I've read that it could be my shoes. This could be the deal breaker here people. I'm too broke for the fancy smanchy footwear. If my $70 nikes aren't good enough for Running then Running is gonna have to find someone else! I mean they fit fine, I don't feel any pain when I'm not running or any other pain besides the shin splints. But I didn't have them custom made.

So any other thoughts about how I can stay in this relationship which I'm fully committed to in every other way?
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LILLY_78 9/9/2012 7:36PM

    The thing that really helped me was stretching before running. I would do a variety of stretches to make sure I was really warmed up before hand. I tried to focus on my ankles, calfs and hamstrings. My favorite was if you stand on a ledge of some sort and let your heels hangover. Push your heels down until you feel the stretch in the back of your legs.

I also did get new shoes too. I went and was fitted for them. I was in the same boat as you and had brand new shoes and really didn't want to get new ones. I just thought shoes were shoes. When I finally broke down and got new shoes between that and my stretches my pain has all but disappeared.

Other things that might help are when you do get the shin splints, stretch again after running and try and use ice or bengay ice. It helped me when I was trying to recover from a session.

Good luck!

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LOWFATFOODIE 8/30/2012 2:09PM

    I will give you the same advice that worked for me and I give everyone....
There is a yoga pose called the "Toe Squat". Do this regularly (daily, a couple times a week-- whatever works for you.)

Here's a web page that shows it: http://www.yinyoga.com/ys2_2.0_asan
as_toe_squat.php

You hold the pose for 2-3 minutes. It SHOULD be uncomfortable (but no shooting pains). There are alternatives if you cannot do as pictured (simply kneeling with toes in position if you cannot sit on your heels, or putting a blanket under your knees if your knees hurt). Again, the stretch and discomfort is in your arches and ankles. You SHOULD hold it through the discomfort.

This improved my shin splints after doing it once, but varies with people, how bad your shin splints are, what other factors you have, etc)

Hope this helps...

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NWLIFESRC 8/30/2012 1:48PM

    Go at it slow

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