"SHIN SPLINTS"

[UNICRON82]

Anybody here ever had a problem with "shin splints"(...y'know, where the inner muscle of your leg along you shin bone hurts with any pressure) before or during the academy?

About 2 years ago, I was ignorant to the fact of how important your legs are when running and I was too cheap to buy a real pair of running shoes and also, I was running on concrete...stupid me. Well, needless to say I started getting the pain in my legs and realized after some research what the problem was and that this "shin splint" was one of the most common among athletes. Ofcourse now I take precautions like putting in the money for the right kind of running shoes, stretching before and after running, etc. Though, even now I get minor aches in my legs or I just feel like I need to stretch my legs and they feel good afterwards.

[CHP1]

I know what you mean! I fixed my problem by running everyother day and investing 150 dollars on good running shoes. Don't buy those cheap 50 dollars shoes that are on sale at jc penny or any other shoe store. Good shoes usually come from catalogs. If you know of a store that sells high quality shoes, go there! The best way to find good running shoes is to ask someone who runs crossXcountry. They are good in recommending the type of shoe that you need. I'm from Mcfarland, a small town that is known state wide for the quality of their high school runners. These kids run 15 miles a day and they give the best tips on how to make running long distance easier. Believe it or not, but there is a science to running. Hope this helps someone out have a nice day!:biggrin:

[uoplax13]

Good shoes and lots of stretching... and if they still keep hurting do low impact stuff/ rest until they heal. I played lacrosse on some slightly annoying shin splints......and they turned into stress fractures. Lesson learned. Not fun if you like walking or doing anything involving your legs.

[RodeoChippie]

Something you may want to try. Get yourself some heavy duty exercise band or surgical tubing. If you make a loop with your tubing then anchor it under something heavy like your couch. Hook the other end of the loop on the top of your foot. Pull your toes up towards your knee, pulling against the tubing. I have found this works wonders. As mentioned, always make sure you have a good pair of running shoes. If possible shop at a specialty running store. Most times the folks there are avid runners and well versed in running shoes. They can watch you run and look at the wear pattern on your old shoes and put you in the right type of shoe for the type of runner you are.

[Mac]

I've heard Rodeo Chippie's suggestion before in response to shin splint issues.....might be worth a try.

I had horrible shin splints in HS - I ran track, played football and basketball. I was a hurdler and high jumper in track, both of which are very high-impact activities. They went away for a few years, but I got them again during the Academy from all the running....fortunately not as bad as I had them in HS.

Rodeo Chippie had another good piece of advice too - shop at a specialty running store. They'll be able to offer the best recommendation for your size, running style, stride and any anomalies you might have (pronation, etc.). It could make a huge difference in your comfort and efficiency.

[UNICRON82]

Thanks everybody for the good feedback! I am definitely going to try some of these suggestions.:biggrin:

[Cameron]

I have a further suggestion that my track coach gave me... Yes, definitely DO go to a specialty shoe store. Have the salesperson measure your feet, and ask them for a recommendation for a shoe make/style.

THEN!! Leave the specialty store with its probably-inflated prices, go to someplace like Big-5, see if they have the same brand, and buy it there.

Just an idea. :smile:

[Metllcafan]

find a store that caters to runners. some places will give you an academy discount, which is great when you are already spending close to 200 bucks by the time you leave the door. get fitted by a professional (foot locker is not professional). if you go to a good running store, they will have you run in the shoe and they will take a look at how you run and make changes from there. it took me 3 hours to find the perfect shoe once, but it was all worth it. and it is true, you get what you pay for... for for the expensive shoes.

[makakona]

former distance runner, here. :smile: DO go to a specialty store, any REAL running store. but i strongly discourage you from spending all of the time with them just to go to footlocker for a better deal. you go to the specialty store for a reason... for their time and expertise. it's not fair to "use" them, you know? if you truly can't afford the shoes, talk to them... they offer discounts for all sorts of things and if you're up front, they'll often knock some money off just because.

shin splints, AH, shin splints. i had them constantly when running. some excercises: pick your foot up off of the ground and trace the abc's with your toes, making the letters as big as you can. when you're out of the shower, put a towel on the floor and place your toes on one end of the towel. curl and uncurl your toes to pull the towel towards you.

[UNICRON82]

former distance runner, here. :smile: DO go to a specialty store, any REAL running store. but i strongly discourage you from spending all of the time with them just to go to footlocker for a better deal. you go to the specialty store for a reason... for their time and expertise. it's not fair to "use" them, you know? if you truly can't afford the shoes, talk to them... they offer discounts for all sorts of things and if you're up front, they'll often knock some money off just because.

shin splints, AH, shin splints. i had them constantly when running. some excercises: pick your foot up off of the ground and trace the abc's with your toes, making the letters as big as you can. when you're out of the shower, put a towel on the floor and place your toes on one end of the towel. curl and uncurl your toes to pull the towel towards you.

In february, I ended up going to a "specialty store" where I was helped by a very nice woman. I brought my current running shoes (which were on sale at copelands) to show her and ask her even if I had the right type of shoe, which it wasn't. She had me run a short distance to see how I ran then she measured my foot and brought 3 different pairs of shoes. I ran a short distance in each pair of shoes and finally picked a pair that fit comftorably, THEN I asked her the price which was about $85. Is an $85 pair of shoes still good shoes or should I tell them I am looking for some of the best shoes and would be willing to pay $150...$200+ (which I would) for the right shoe? The shoes do seem ok but I am taking it easy because of course I do not want the shin splints to become as bad as they were before.

Makakona...How long and how bad were your shin splints? Did you continue running moderately or stop all together?

[dw]

former distance runner, here. :smile: DO go to a specialty store, any REAL running store. but i strongly discourage you from spending all of the time with them just to go to footlocker for a better deal. you go to the specialty store for a reason... for their time and expertise. it's not fair to "use" them, you know? if you truly can't afford the shoes, talk to them... they offer discounts for all sorts of things and if you're up front, they'll often knock some money off just because.

shin splints, AH, shin splints. i had them constantly when running. some excercises: pick your foot up off of the ground and trace the abc's with your toes, making the letters as big as you can. when you're out of the shower, put a towel on the floor and place your toes on one end of the towel. curl and uncurl your toes to pull the towel towards you.

In february, I ended up going to a "specialty store" where I was helped by a very nice woman. I brought my current running shoes (which were on sale at copelands) to show her and ask her even if I had the right type of shoe, which it wasn't. She had me run a short distance to see how I ran then she measured my foot and brought 3 different pairs of shoes. I ran a short distance in each pair of shoes and finally picked a pair that fit comftorably, THEN I asked her the price which was about $85. Is an $85 pair of shoes still good shoes or should I tell them I am looking for some of the best shoes and would be willing to pay $150...$200+ (which I would) for the right shoe? The shoes do seem ok but I am taking it easy because of course I do not want the shin splints to become as bad as they were before.

Makakona...How long and how bad were your shin splints? Did you continue running moderately or stop all together?

I've found the speciality stores (FleetFeet in Northern California) have very good prices... I don't think there is any need to pay $150 for shoes. The "best" shoe is the one that properly fits you foot. If anything, a more expensive shoe may last longer, but it would be "better" to buy two of the shoe that fits you properly for the same price.

[RodeoChippie]

If the shoes are the right ones for you then stick with them. If you can get your shoes for $85 rather than $135 then you're $50 ahead. Something to remember, just because the shoes cost more doesn't mean they are better. It just means they are different. You might end up finding the more expensive ones won't work as well for you. The shoes that work best for me are Asics Gel Kayanos. I've been wearing them since 1998, unfortunately the are $135. But on the plus side I've never had shin splints.

[makakona]

In february, I ended up going to a "specialty store" where I was helped by a very nice woman. I brought my current running shoes (which were on sale at copelands) to show her and ask her even if I had the right type of shoe, which it wasn't. She had me run a short distance to see how I ran then she measured my foot and brought 3 different pairs of shoes. I ran a short distance in each pair of shoes and finally picked a pair that fit comftorably, THEN I asked her the price which was about $85. Is an $85 pair of shoes still good shoes or should I tell them I am looking for some of the best shoes and would be willing to pay $150...$200+ (which I would) for the right shoe? The shoes do seem ok but I am taking it easy because of course I do not want the shin splints to become as bad as they were before.

Makakona...How long and how bad were your shin splints? Did you continue running moderately or stop all together?

$85.00 is a good price. more money doesn't necessarily equal better shoe. i usually pay just under $100.00 for standard running shoes. it sounds like she did you right by fitting them... did she watch you run in each pair? they can frequently tell by watching you run if a shoe may be off. bringing in shoes is always a good idea anyway, as they can check the wear and see if you, for example, overpronate or whatever.

my shin splints were pretty bad for a while... i had to chug ibuprofen before races. :\ are you icing them? how long have you been running? if it's been a while, give your body some time to catch up. as much as i ran, if i ever took a break (usually two weeks at the beginning of the summer), it would start hurting again when i started back up. make sure you do the exercises, eat well, and rest well... oh, and ice 'em!

i continued running... i ran cross-country and track in high school and college. like i said, i usually only took two weeks off a year and i ran six days a week. in season, i trained four days a week and raced twice a week. i was sidelined for a short while by a knee injury from playing soccer. i continued running on it and really tore up my knee. i was worried about being out the rest of the season and opted to not get surgery... resulting in all sorts of fun pain now. lovely.

i haven't REALLY run in quite some time. my husband splurged when he got his last pair of running shoes and bought me a new whamadine pair, too. i have the best dual jogging stroller money can buy and darn it if i never actually make it out. i need to hop back on the horse... every time i talk about it or spend too much time in a real shoe store, i start to miss it so much it makes my heart ache a bit. :::sigh::: maybe tomorrow? i'm SO out of shape...

[pupdog]

If you are in the south bay area, you can't go wrong going to Runner's Factory in Los Gatos. They work with the police academy at Evergreen Valley College to make sure the students are training in what's right for them. They also mentioned they give a discount to trainees (or trainees in training). I think he said it was 10% (but my tri club gets 20% off:biggrin: ) The Brooks Addiction 6 that I get from them sells for $85.

A few years ago before I started my marathon training, I had a foot scan done. You walk over this electronic pad and it measures what your foot is doing. GLAD I DID. My toes didn't even show up. I completely didn't use them when I ran! I also did not pronate AT ALL. I'm aparently extremely flat footed. For a huge chunk of change, I had custom arch supports made. It was worth EVERY PENNY! Can you imagine how much more it would have cost in medical bills, not to mention pain, had I gone & done my 3x a week short (6 mile) runs, my weekly 15-20 mile runs, then the big event, with serious biomechanical problems? Now granted, we don't need to do such long miles at the academy, but if problems are arising, get help! Talk to a chiropractor or physical therapist. They?ll get you on the right track.

[UNICRON82]

Thanks for the good advice, I am doing some of these exercises now and I am trying others as well. Oh, and also a prayer shouldn't hurt either.:smile: