Week 3 of C25K

[Dangermouse88]

Hello everyone,

I'm brand new to this site. I just finished week 3 of a Couch to 5k program and have been having pain since week 2 in my shins. It doesn't go away after the walking warm-up, and I can rub my shin and it hurts to the touch. Are these shin splints? A stress fracture? Has anyone else experienced this so early on? I wanted to run a 5k at the beginning of December and feel like I won't be able to now.

Thanks,

Jessica

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum.

If you have pain in both legs it is quite likely shin splints. have a look at this runnersworld.com/shin-splints and see if the description matches your symptoms.

What are you wearing on your feet is always my first question. Leisure trainers are not running shoes and running shoes that have not been fitted after gait analysis may not be appropriate for your running gait.

If you take your existing shoes to a specialist running shop that does gait analysis then they can advise on suitable shoes for you.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Listen to IannodaTruffe

[VictoriaRuns Graduate]

I have found that if you have any identical pain in both legs, it's not going to be identical sprains or fractures, but general muscle strain or indeed shin splints. Shoes that absorb impact will make all the difference, as will running on soft ground, or a treadmill.