Shin splints

[hjuk]

Hi all, loving the couch to 5k app but yet to complete week 2 as my shins have been so sore this week. They are a little better this morning so heading out shortly...

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Take really good care, shin splints are terrible... don't run again until they are completely better, and make sure you have proper running shoes..

[misswobble Graduate]

You can expect aches and pains in you're new to exercise. As you get stronger and fitter these niggles will be a thing of the past. You might be running too quick. Slow jog is all that's required

Good luck

[MarkyD Graduate]

Try taking short little steps, and don't 'stride'. If you are stretching out and landing on the heel of your foot, you'll end up hurting your shins.

[hjuk]

Thanks all, been out this morning, took it steady and went round the park in the grass rather than my normal route. Feel good so far

[PilgrimPip Graduate]

I had shin splints too for the first couple of weeks so just took things slowly. They improved and then I had a pain in my right hip. I looked it up online and diagnosed it as a non-dangerous pain that would improve with exercise and stretching. So I took paracetamol before running and did a bit of stretching and, after a couple of weeks it went away. I think that, as MissWobble said, we are bound to have some aches and pains as muscles we had forgotten we had are aroused from their slumbers. But it's good to take it easy too. Keep up the good work!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

My shins were bad when I started and they play up occasionally now. I have found that one thing that helps my shin splints is to make sure I get a good calf stretch in every day. Apparently that helps to protect the shins. Good luck.

[gingernut49 Graduate]

I had shin splints when I first started running but they eased up after a few weeks. Try standing on your staircase with your heels over the edge (hold on to the bannisters!) and stretch that way a few times a day.