Shin Splints Causing No Progress

[Renbow]

I previously got to week 6 in couch to 5k, but life got in the way and it's been about 5 months now, so I'm starting again.

I've suffered with shin splints most of my life, and when I started the first time they caused me to fail w1r1 once, near the end of the run, then I got on grand for all the following runs. Since then I've gotten more supportive running shoes and a better treadmill as well.

I started again with w1r1 about a week and a half ago, and I'm consistently failing due to shin pain. It's the same every run - the first 60 secs are grand, there's a twinge at the end of the second 60 secs, the third hurts, and the fourth is really really sore. I limp through a 5 min cooldown walk, then call it quits. Ten mins later my shins are totally fine.

I've tried slowing down, and for the past two runs I've switched to an elliptical for the end of my cooldown walk. My cardio fitness is fine - I'm on my elliptical for 30 mins every other day, and going for walks is fine. It's just running that is causing problems.

Is there anything I should be doing differently? I don't want to injure myself trying to do the same thing over and over, and making no progress is very frustrating because I love running and know I'm capable of running a lot more. Does anyone have any tips? Or do you think it could be something other than shin splints/ should I be taking it more seriously?

I really appreciate any advice <3

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This might help runnersworld.com/shin-splints/

[Renbow in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks so much! I'll check it out now!

[nowster Graduate]

Have you ever tried running on different surfaces?

[Renbow in reply to nowster]

I haven't. I live in sort of a valley, so every direction is big hills. I'd love to run outdoors but that's a longer term goal (unless the lockdown eases and I can get further from home!) Up until now I've just been running on my treadmill and walking outdoors. I did get a nicer treadmill recently though. The one I had been using was very tiny and I had to be vary careful about foot placement so I didn't accidentally run off the edge. My new one is much bigger and feels easier to run on.