week 5 - bad shin splints but I don't want to give up? :(

[Contentlycon]

Hey all!

I am so proud of myself for getting to week 5! I just did the first run and it went really well in terms of dealing with stitches, keeping my breathing steady, etc. But I recently moved to Sydney for a few months. Before, I was running in the woods near my house in England, so the ground was way softer. Now in a city my only options are concrete and, I guess, a park?

After doing three runs here on concrete, I have horrible shin splints. If I haven't stood up for a while then I have to limp, like in the mornings, it hurts loads and I have to hobble around. After walking around for a bit (I stand at work all day) or during my runs it's not too bad. While the pain is manageable now, I'm really worried that if I keep running on concrete, or even if I run on softer ground, it will just get unbearable and potentially even fracture?

It might be to do with my flat-ish feet and footwear as well as the change in terrain - I didn't realise my trainers were more 'fashionable' than actually for running (oops) - but I can't afford better trainers, not for another week or two at the very least.

However, if I wait weeks for it to heal - the internet says it could even take 6 months - I'll have lost all the fitness I've gained so far in couch to 5k. I can't imagine having to start from the beginning again I had shin splints before and it took two months.

What's the maximum time I can wait before I'll lose all the fitness I've gained so far? I have already been leaving more time between runs e.g. 3, 4 days.

Any advice? Merci in advance! x

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Try some calf stretches, when I started I had trouble with my shins, I iced them as soon as I got in and then Throughout the day I did some calf stretches and that seemed to help quite a bit. Change of running terrain will make a difference but you can adjust. Good luck. Rfc x

[Contentlycon Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thanks I’ll try it x

[Pubcarking Graduate]

Stick with it I had shin splints for the first 4 weeks when I started c25k but I got through the other side it us onlybtemporarybwhile your body adapts to it.

I had to put ice on mine before and after runs for a couple of weeks and my friend recommended e45 cream rubbed into them but I cant remember why.