Shin splints and footwear advice needed

daraghmack

Hi,

Over the past few years I have done a bit of running to keep fit, but it was never serious and I never exherted myself too much. This year I decided to get fitter and I ran the Phoenix Park 10k, now I am signed up to do another 10 mile mountain race at the end of August so I am training harder. My problem is that I am now running 8 miles approximately 3 / 4 times a week on the road and I have terrible pain in at the bottom inside of my left leg, I believe it is a shin splint. It is time for me to get a new pair of runners as the asics I currently use are over a year old and I need advice on the right runner to buy, one which will reduce the pain I am getting in my shin.

Also, I find it kind of odd that I should have pain in one shin and not the other so I examined my runners and the different shoes I wear when not training, I have found that whatever way I walk I seem to be wearing out all of my soles more on the outside of both heels than on the inside, this led me to think I may need some sort of orthethic or insole when I run?? However this wearing out of my soles seems even on both shoes and I am only getting pain in my left leg.

Anyway, I suppose I just need some good advice from those of you who have a lot more knowledge than me on the subject. I need advice on the best pair of runners, how insoles may help me and also if there is anyway I can improve the way I run so shin splints wont be such a problem.

I really appreciate any tips you may have.

Thanks,

Daragh.

ss43

daraghmack wrote: »

Hi,

Over the past few years I have done a bit of running to keep fit, but it was never serious and I never exherted myself too much. This year I decided to get fitter and I ran the Phoenix Park 10k, now I am signed up to do another 10 mile mountain race at the end of August so I am training harder. My problem is that I am now running 8 miles approximately 3 / 4 times a week on the road and I have terrible pain in at the bottom inside of my left leg, I believe it is a shin splint. It is time for me to get a new pair of runners as the asics I currently use are over a year old and I need advice on the right runner to buy, one which will reduce the pain I am getting in my shin.

Also, I find it kind of odd that I should have pain in one shin and not the other so I examined my runners and the different shoes I wear when not training, I have found that whatever way I walk I seem to be wearing out all of my soles more on the outside of both heels than on the inside, this led me to think I may need some sort of orthethic or insole when I run?? However this wearing out of my soles seems even on both shoes and I am only getting pain in my left leg.

Anyway, I suppose I just need some good advice from those of you who have a lot more knowledge than me on the subject. I need advice on the best pair of runners, how insoles may help me and also if there is anyway I can improve the way I run so shin splints wont be such a problem.

I really appreciate any tips you may have.

Thanks,

Daragh.

Weaknesses further up your leg can affect your footstrike. It would, IMO, be more worthwhile to check out if you weaknesses or imblaances that are causing the problem. It could be case of the muscle on the inside working harder beacuase there is a weakness somewhere nearby or it could be further up around the hips and core region. I think orthotics are overprescribed and probably counterproductive for all but a tiny minority with serious foot issues.

Improved technique could be all you need either. Have you a coach you can work with. Overstriding is a possibility. If you try take quicker steps, it will probably lead to shorter steps where you land under your centre of gravity which reduces pressure on the leg.

That's my opinion anyway.

daraghmack

Thanks, I will try that, Im with you on the orthetics, I think they may be over prescribed too, I do think it may be technique that is my problem, unfortunately I don't have a coach but I will try taking quicker steps like you said and hopefully that will help.

MrCreosote

I get the occasional shin pain myself, always in the L leg. For me it doesn't seem to matter about footwear, but happens when I increase intensity or mileage. Maybe drop back either for a short while to see how it goes? Or swap a couple of the road runs for a softer surface?

Hank_Jones

I might be a bit late with this and you have possibly already got new running shoes but there is a place in Bray that does gait analysis which enables them to pick the right running shoe for you.
Just type ''running shoes bray'' into google and it should come up, I don't want to give the name as that might seem like I'm trying to promote their business.