Starting back up after time off

[Figment1990]

Ok, I'm finally back to running after really a month off. I had an ankle injury after the wine and dine which was believed to be tendinitis. Doc said I can run as long as the pain is VERY minimal. I find that my ankle (outside) actually feels better after I do a little running. Been doing my pt also.

My problem now is that I'm feeling some inner shin pain on both legs. For background, I have a tendency to pronate when I walk but this summer, when I was training in a stability shoe w a big wedge, I developed shin splints. Switched to a stability shoe that doesn't have as much of a wedge and voila shin splints go away (plus rolling and icing and stretching and the like). So my question I guess is are my shins just adjusting back to my running in the shoes (I apparently don't pronate as much when I run as when I walk, which I know from past analysis)? I've been only running short distances w lots of walk breaks . Or did my foot change do to the injury and now I don't need the same stability shoe? Or is it just bc my outer foot muscles are weaker from te injury and lack of wearing my stability shoes (because I haven't been running during the injury time)? I'm so confused. Finding the right running shoes is one of my most disliked parts of running!

Either way, any advice fr coming back after some time off? I ran 4times since the race, all less than 3 miles (mostly 2 or less). Should I wear different shoes at this point?

 

[cewait]

Given your recent history of shin splints I would say that coming back from from a period of no running would lead to some possible issue. Double up on your rolling and icing. Also, check the miles on the shoes and make sure they are not overdue for change. Finally, try shortening up the stride so you are mid foot striking and not plopping the the forefoot. Also, I am not a fan of cold stretching but feel like shin splints need an early use stretch. So stop after about 10 minutes of running and stretch out the lower legs. This will help with the ankle, also.

 

[Figment1990]

Thanks Coach! I think it's probably all of the above (shoes and time off and injuries). I'll ease into it and do some extra stretching/rolling/icing and if that still doesn't work, I'll go look into new shoes (I think mine should still be good since their mileage isn't THAT high yet). The good news is that the shin splint feeling I had yesterday morning after my saturday night run is gone this morning so I think I'm getting the hang of "caring for myself" while running and not just ignoring aches and pains.