Shin Splints!!

[RAC61]

Hi folks - anyone got any advice for dealing with shin splints?

Better once warmed up, but still pretty painful and preventing my progress.

Thanks

[BellaTheCook Graduate]

Ugh - they are horrible, aren't they? You don't say how long you have been running for. If you are still fairly new to it your best bet might be to have a long rest, let them heal, then try again. Sometimes it is as simple as that.

Otherwise, some people swear by compression socks. Shortening your stride might also help.

However, what finally solved it for me was getting a proper gait analysis done and buying more supportive running shoes as a result.

There is no one answer, in other words!

[Hidden]

Have a read, and get those frozen peas ready 👍

nhs.uk/conditions/shin-spli...

[Hidden]

The best cure is rest. I developed shin splints during consolidation last summer and took two weeks off. I had already had gait analysis, so knew that mine was caused by the longer regular 30 min runs of consolidation. As a newbie runner I was still developing my running legs and that will possibly be the same for you, although I am not sure how far in to C25k you are.

So best advice is rest and follow RICE guidelines. When you are ready to restart do it gradually - I went back to C25k run/walk intervals for 2 weeks before getting back to long runs. Since then I haven't had any problems shin splints wise.

BellaTheCook was right to suggest gait analysis if you haven't had that done already.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

They are primarily caused by impact...........so 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.

This article may also help runnersworld.com/shin-splints/