Week 1 ✅ Shin Splints?: Hey, Just completed... - Couch to 5K

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Week 1 ✅ Shin Splints?

Maxi80 profile image
15 Replies

Hey,

Just completed Week 1 but it wasn’t without it’s challenges.

I have a feeling that I have shin splints on the outside of my lower left leg.

Any advice for running with it? It’s hard to fully extend my leg when I feel the heat pulsating in my lower leg.

I can run through it when it’s 60 seconds but I’m not sure I’ll be able to transition to 90 seconds?

Any help is most welcome 👍

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Maxi80 profile image
Maxi80
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15 Replies
PhoenixRise profile image
PhoenixRiseGraduate

Congratulations on completing week 1! Well done - a massive achievement 👍

Outside shin pain doesn’t necessarily mean shin splints and at the end of week 1 it is more than likely just your body adjusting to the plan. Worth keeping an eye on though ...

Enjoy your rest day before starting Week 2 (or 2 rest days if you are starting Monday) and maybe ice the area whilst you rest. Drink plenty of water too!

Trust the programme - it will prepare you for the next week each week 😉

You can read a bit more about shin splints here:

runnersworld.com/health-inj...

Rest, rest and rest some more before Week 2 💪🏻 You got this!

Maxi80 profile image
Maxi80 in reply toPhoenixRise

Hey Phoenix,

Thanks for the great reply.

It was such a struggle. Is the transition to 90 seconds a killer? Today’s intervals went like this:

‘Ready for your next run, are you ready?’

‘Oh just f—-off Michael.’

Getnoffmycouch profile image
GetnoffmycouchGraduate in reply toMaxi80

Haha..: I can relate to how you felt to the question “are you ready to start your next run?? Here we go!” I just started week 2, and like you I had shinsplints or pain in the front of the shins, in week 1, but I was able to get through all the runs on the first run of week 2 down to the very last one , which was the one I wasn’t able to complete due to the pain in my shins.

I am now in the position of trying to give an extra day rest before I start my second run for week 2. I did ice my shins each time I got back from my runs because it does help with any swelling or inflammation that you might have.

Hope this helps you some and that you can get to week two!

PhoenixRise profile image
PhoenixRiseGraduate

Hey Maxi80 👋

Week 1 was (by far!) my least favourite week of the entire programme! I too had a few swear words for Laura (bless her).

No, the increase to 90 seconds isn’t a killer ..... mainly because the walking interval also increases! I actually enjoyed the second week after the painful first week!

Take two days rest and start Week 2 on Monday refreshed and ready ! 💪🏻 You’ve already done the hard part - getting started! 👌🏻

Maxi80 profile image
Maxi80 in reply toPhoenixRise

Well I’m meant to having a few cheeky pints on Saturday so Monday could be a good idea! Saying that, won’t taking an extra day off make it harder on Monday?

PhoenixRise profile image
PhoenixRiseGraduate in reply toMaxi80

No, an extra rest day won’t make it harder. Two consecutive rest days is fine if your body is telling you to rest - and your shin is having words with you! Enjoy a couple of cheeky 🍻 and your shin will thank you on Monday 😉 (Don’t forget to stretch and drink plenty of water too! All in moderation!)

scubasmiff profile image
scubasmiffGraduate

I found the first 2 or 3 weeks quite painful on the feet and shins, but it does get easier as your body adapts to this strange thing called exercise. You'll find the aches shift around a bit as the weeks go on, but stick with it.

Sometimes the increases just look mad, but trust the program, we've all had those doubts, the trick is to go out and give it your best, if you need to repeat a session it's no big deal, every run is just training for the one that comes after it anyway.

You got this!

Maxi80 profile image
Maxi80 in reply toscubasmiff

Thanks for the encouragement!! Cheers

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Well done.

Follow the advice in the guide to the plan on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Maxi80 profile image
Maxi80 in reply toIannodaTruffe

Hey Ian,

Where can I find the guide? Cheers

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor in reply toMaxi80

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Ucha profile image
UchaGraduate

Hey Maxi80, I'm exactly in the same place now! I'm wondering how you overcame this? Any advice to pass on? Thanks :)

Maxi80 profile image
Maxi80 in reply toUcha

Hey, mate. My left still isn’t perfect. It gets sore pretty quick. But, new trainers more suited to high arches definitely helped.

Ucha profile image
UchaGraduate in reply toMaxi80

Thanks! This is very helpful! I'll go shopping this weekend! :)

LesleyLiv profile image
LesleyLivGraduate

Hi, just posted, I use flight socks .... I know... not the most attractive accessory but they sorted it out for me. No more pain in shins or calves..... 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

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