I'm about to start w2 and have been suffering badly with painful shins so I'm going to get fitted for running shoes Monday-any advice?

I'm about to start W2 having done W1 twice as I've been suffering badly with shin pain, I'm getting fitted with running shoes Monday-any advice?

[Minuette Graduate]

Definitely a good idea to get properly fitted for shoes. I was having pain in my knees, got fitted for a nice new pair of shoes and now the knee problem - gone!

[AliB1 Graduate]

I'd also recommned getting your trainers properly fitted. Since I've had mine the shin pain i had has gone. Advice, make sure you have plenty of time for the fitting...mine took ages as had to wait (it's very popular) and then it took about half an hour or slighltly more (can't quite remember) but I did try on lots of different pairs. Keep trying them on until you find the pair that is just right!

[Greg_M Graduate]

Definitely get yourself a decent set of shoes, I think that is a must for us all really, like a good set of tyres on your car!

However if you have pain now, whilst at rest you would be well advised to give it some TLC. It might seem a bit extreme but ice it, rest it and massage and get the pain gone and the muscles properly loosened up as well then the shoes help stop it coming back. I used to use one of those inserts you freeze and drop into a drinks bottle but just invested in a proper ice pack.

Though this seems to be pretty common (it has plagued me all the way through) and to a certain extent you also need to go through a period whilst your calf and shin muscles strengthen up so if you can also find some exercises to work on your lower leg strength that also helps.

[shelleymcb Graduate]

if shop doesnt mention it, which it should, be prepared to go up a size to make sure your toes have plenty of room at the end. feet tend to get bigger as you run (as in swelling, not growing) & I lost 2 toenails due to toes hitting the end of my shoe.

I also wear proper running socks. they are cushioned in all the right places & I havent had any blisters so am putting that down to the socks. they also dont have any seams which is nice if seams rub on your toes ~ I have to hide my socks as my children prefer them.

good luck. X

[cathers]

I had real problems with shin pain to start with and getting the right pair of trainers made a big difference. I also started do a stretch where you stand on a curb or step and lower you heels down, whilst balancing your feet on the curb. Then turn around and lower your toes keeping your heels on the curb. This seemed to really work for me. Hope that explanation makes sense.

By week 4 my running technique had also improved and I began landing on my heel instead of the ball of my foot, as Laura suggests. It took about 2 weeks but the pain has gone and I'm proud I got through it and am now on week 7 run 2!

Best of luck