have any of you ever had shin splints?

[funkybutt]

I'm afraid I may be developing "shin splints". I started running 2 miles a couple of weeks ago (3-4 times a week). I worked up to the two miles by jogging fairly slowly at first then gradually increasing my speed (as my lungs would allow). Over the past couple of runs, I've noticed some increasing pain in my left shin bone and calf. I have high arches in my feet and I don't know if this could be a contributing factor.

I wonder what y'all would recommend for this. I don't want to stop running b/c it's currently my major workout and I'm really appreciating the toning it's done to my body. I think I'll go bike riding this weekend instead of running. Maybe by the end of the weekend, I will have recovered.

[Kira]

1. You need to go to a doctor

to rule out a stress fracture. The doctor should also look at your feet to determine if you would benefit from orthodics in your sneakers. You can work on strenghtening and flexibility exercises for your lower leg. When your Achilles tendon and posterior muscles in your calf are tight shin splints may result.
If you take a break from running the pain should stop.

[ZenLefty]

2. Yup.

I got them pretty bad, so painful I couldn't walk. My doctor told me they were stress fractures in the bone. Try taking a break from running to let them heal up good. You might want to spend some money on good shoes, and buy them from a place that specializes in running shoes. A softer running surface helps too.

[IronLionZion]

3. Have someone look at the way you run

I had that too, with my left shin hurting like a mother. But it was bad running form.

Some kind of physical trainer or doctor should check it out.

[funkybutt]

4. Thank y'all for your recommendations

I took a 4 day break. The pain was pretty much gone when I ran on Friday. I could barely notice it, so I didn't run over the weekend. Instead I biked and there was no pain associated with that at all.

I have good shoes that I ordered from Road Runner Sports that are supposed to be perfect for my foot type (high arch).I've increased my stretching and I start out a bit slower to warm up. Also I skip the sprints at the end of the run, like I was doing before and I go around the paved section of my run. All of these things have helped a lot.

I still plan to see a doctor and make sure that there isn't something wrong with my form or body that's causing this but I'm currently too busy at work to miss.

I feel like i'm healed. I'm running today, so I guess I'll find out in about 30 minutes.

thanks again everybody!

[calico1]

5. I had them and a physical therapist I know told me

that often the cause is shoes that don't support the foot properly. Your arches should not "float" in the shoe. They need to be well supported. Also the shoes should have good insoles. The ones they come with are not that great. Replacing them with Spenco's will make them more supportive. And if you can, get running socks too. I followed all this advice and within a couple of weeks the pain in my shins was gone.

[MemphisTiger]

6. It could be your shoes. Go to a store that is reputable,

NO not footlocker or another mall store. Get your feet fitted by someone that knows what kind of shoes you need for your foot structure. Also, is the pain in your bone or muscle? There is a big difference. Muscle could be shoes and/or running form. Also, if you run in the street, the slope at the gutter could be causing because you're on a constant side slope. Good luck.