W6 R3 completed!! But how to stop shin splints?

[onegreensharpie]

I completed week 6 this morning but noticed pain in my leg, I'm concerned about shin splints as this really impeded my progress when I tried to start running last year! How do I stop this getting worse?

[ashton46 Graduate]

When I started the C25K plan I suffered with them as well. Everything I read at the time basically said "buy some proper running shoes". Which is all well and good but not everyone has a spare £100, I certainly didn't and still don't (I still run in a cheap £20 pair of trainers)

What I did buy was some gel innersoles off eBay for under £10 and it really made a difference. There is no substitute for some nice new running trainers (I imagine) but it helped with my shin splints a lot!

Now I don't get them at all.

Worth a go for less than a tenner!

[NickiB Graduate]

Rest until you can not feel your pain when walking; take advice on trainers (see response above); stretch - I like the one where you stand on a step with heels hanging off and just drop your heels down, hold and then raise up onto your toes; you may need to shorten your distance when you go back to running; it is NOT a case of 'no pain no gain'; after running stretch and ice for 10mins. Good luck!

[onegreensharpie]

Thanks for your advice!

[vespa Graduate]

Go on to you tube there are some videos to show you the exercises to do to. This helped clear mine up.

[Nerdio Graduate]

I agree with a lot of above. An awkward muscle to stretch, but the stand on step (or a kerb) does work. Shortening your stride and softening your landing will help.

Don't despair you will get through it even if you have to rest a few days.

[Jigglemooce Graduate]

For the first 4 weeks I ran in Asics which I loved, but every run left me with pains in my shins which I kept trying to ignore but it hurt so much when I walked, less so when I run, that I gave in to my bf's nagging and finally went to get my gait checked out at a specialist running shop. They checked my trainers and said that I was running in full support Asics, which I didn't need at all, and I bought a pair of new trainers, which were actually cheaper than my asics had been, although I had bought them simply because I liked the look of them! I can honestly say I have never looked back, and wished I had taken my bf's advice at the start. I genuinely believe that it is down to the shoes, that's all. I didn't believe that, and stubbornly didn't want him to be right, but he was. My question to you is, have you had the shoes fitted for your style of running? If so, then I'm not sure of the reason for your shin pains, but if you haven't, that's the place to start! Hope that helps!