How Do You Run

yop

Bit of a daft one but I went back running the track there on Tuesday nite with the Soccer club, after about 5 laps my shin splints returned and by the 8th lap I had to stop in extreme pain from shin splints.
I got talking to the lads and they say I am running incorrectly in that I land on my toes instead of my heal!
So telll me what way do you run.

Musashi

Like Phoebe on Friends ??

Chunks

It's no that at all.

What happened to you is as follows:

There's a muscle running down the side of your shin bone (can't remember the name) and when you stop exercising for a while it becomes soft and weak. When you start running again it has to build back up and harden up to support your shin bone. It's the same with your lower back also (if you start running after a long rest period your back would hurt for the first few times.) The best thing to do is stop running when it hurts but keep up the running (dont stop for a few days) and it should strengthen the muscle and clear up the pain.

I had the same problem a while back after i broke my leg but it clears up eventually. It's very annoying to wait to clear up though.

Stark

Make sure you're wearing the correct shoes as well. If there's a fault in your running style it's very difficult to conciously correct it, but a good pair of shoes should correct it.

I also had those shin splints for a while. They cleared up after a few weeks. Make sure your calves and achilles tendons are properly stretched to relieve the tension.

PadraigL

Try running off road and slow down so the pain is comfortable, if possible. The hard road does not help.

By the way some professional athletics run on their toes, as Catriona McKiernan does..