Run Run Away

Question:

I have just began running and I am experiencing terrible shin splints.  What can I do?  

Response:

I have just began running and I am experiencing terrible shin splints.

What can I do?   I would suggest starting off with shorter distances then building up to longer runs over time. It takes awhile for your bones to ajust to the extra stress. Jim Irsik Perryton, Texas

Response:

I have just began running and I am experiencing terrible shin splints. What can I do?   I would suggest starting off with shorter distances then building up to longer runs over time. It takes awhile for your bones to ajust to the extra stress. Jim Irsik Perryton, Texas

I started running in late 1993 and , being 6′ and 250lbs, I battled shin splints up to this summer.  I beat them by buying the best cushion shoe I could find.  My doctor recomended Nike for my biomechanics, so I got a pair of Air Maxs (not AM Triax or Sructure) and I started _walking_ every day (3 miles).  I then did half mile intervals of running and walking and worked into a daily run of 3 to 4 miles.  I started in April and was running a weekly 5k race starting after July 4th.  My beginning time was 34:10 and on the last race on september 7th, my weight was down to 235 and my time was down to 28:10.           Take a week or so off and start with walking and work your way up.  Jim is right that it takes time for your body to get acustomed to running.  From July to Sept. I was getting what appered to be nerve pinches.  I was told that I was building muscles and they did go away.         I just finnished a 6 mile run (58 min) about an hour ago and my legs have never felt better.  Don’t be tempted to go faster or farther than you can.  The point is to go every day, no matter how slow, and listen to your body to tell you haw fast.         Jeff Younie         Keene, NH

Response:

I have just began running and I am experiencing terrible shin splints. What can I do?  

When I get this, I’ve found that walking on your heels strengthens the muscles that cause shin splints.  Try 1 mile a day for a week.  I know, it looks stupid to have your toes pointed to the sky, but after a week, you’ll thank me. Steve Brown SoCal

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