Shin Splint?

[estherhead]

I did a search and I've read online. I'm doing a couch to 10k program, I'm 2 weeks in. Today I did 5k in 45 minutes, mostly walking, just about 10 minutes of running. About 10 minutes in my right shin started hurting and I instantly thought "shin splint." I moved from the asphalt into the grass and it immediately went away. I was wearing my least favorite pair of jogging shoes which I now will retire.

But for the last 3 minutes I was back on the asphalt and it still hurt.

I DO NOT want to quit, but I don't want to be forced to quite because I made a very minor injury worse by not quitting. If I committed to walk/jogging only in the grass and take ibuprofen (to reduce swelling) before my next jog/walk do you think this would be acceptable?

Does anyone have any experience with a very mild injury? I've only had an injury once when I wore stupid shoes to do a 10k and hurt my knee and was forced to quit for 5 months and it derailed everything I was trying to accomplish.

 

[MommyMcQueen]

I don't know too much about injuries but when I started running last year (C25K) I had horrible shin pain (tightness & pain) - started about 2 weeks in like yours did. I iced my shins religiously after each run/walk and it helped immensly.

I had been an avid walker but never ran due to shin pain. It took about a month of me icing after every run/walk and sometimes icing on off days as well if they were still sore. If I skipped an icing after I ran I could definitely tell and would be really sore the next day.

Not sure if that would help your situation at all, but it really helped me. There are times I still ice them now - if I don't run for a while or after a long run if I feel they are tight/sore. I usually ice for about 45 min to maybe an hour on each leg.

 

[estherhead]

Thanks! That was some advice after a Goofle search. Today is my off daybut I think I'll try that tomorrow & see if it helps. Anything to not have to quit/cut back!

 

[kelly L]

Hi! So I am new here, but I had the WORST bout with shin splints all last year.
I love running, couldn’t get enough, and I felt so great that I just kept pushing myself to get a better time and get another mile in. BAD idea. I would take a couple days off. Go out and run 3 miles, then have to take a week off. Run again, take time off again. I took 6 weeks off in December and chose the elliptical. Hurt again.
Then if February repeat. I would literally cry because I wanted to run so bad.
*
Last month I got a new pair of shoes (again) and I have absolutely no pain NONE! I didn’t remember what it was like to run pain-free. If you have a neutral foot, I highly reccomend the Asics Nimbus shoe. I ran my first 5k last weekend after only hitting the pavement 3 times since September and got first place in my old lady group J
*
I learned the hard way that you can’t go out and run because you CAN go the distance and CAN get that better time. I’m following Jeff Galloway’s 10k training schedule so I can get my “proof of time” for the Princess in 2012! Google him, I also have 3 of his books. Brilliant. Running every other day, then cross training on days off. They’re also timed runs-not distance runs.
*
I was the same way “But I don’t want to quit”, (my husband thinks just because he’s a nurse he can give me adviceJ
I did the ibuprofen, ice, and a roller. It’s sad and it hurts to hear and say, but you might need a little break.
Good luck!

 

[runner_princess]

I fought with my shins for most of 2009-2010, and was able to remedy the issue after a trip to an orthopedist and six weeks of physical therpay, since mine advanced to tibial stress syndrome. My advice:

- Get fitted for running shoes at a speciality running store (not a spoting goods store); or if there is none near you, try the Shoe Dog tool at RoadRunner sports online. Make sure your shoe has adequate stability

- Stretch your calves daily, and stretch your hips. Google "yoga pigeon" and "yoga warrior 2" and do these daily, or take a couple of yoga classes at a local studio

- Ice after every run, or any time it hurts

- You may also want to try a compression calf sleeve or compression socks to run in. They were a life saving for me

 

[estherhead]

Thanks everyone! If it isn't raining when my big girls get off the bus, I'm going for a run today. I'm going to wear my best shoes & ice afterwards & I'll report back!

If it is still hurting I'll try to compression socks. I've been fitted once for shoes at a real store but the closest one is still forever away. I bought those shoes on e-bay until they discontinued. Guess it's time to make the trip again...

 

[estherhead]

Your info was great! No pain on my last two runs.

 

[ImTheMama]

My DD (age 14) plays JV softball for her high school and she just saw the trainer last week for the same thing. Her told her she had shin splints and wrapped the arch of her foot tight with tape. She has slightly flat feet and he told her this will cause shin splints as well. She said it made her shins feel better by the end of the day but after the games that night she was hurting again. Just something to think about if you think you might have flat feet.