Shin Splints - Help!!!

Shampster

Hi all,

I started training for the Dublin City Marathon 10 weeks ago. I have slowly been increasing my mileage by the recommended 10% every week.

Before I started the training programme, I probably ran three nights a week for years. I have been doing so well in my training, in so far as not having any injuries and generally feeling great!

Then suddenly, two days ago I got shin splints out of nowhere! :eek: I got it the next day after only a meagre four mile run!!! Why not after the sixteen mile run I did last thursday??? I have it in my right leg and I'm in a lot of pain. I can hardly walk and the muscles behind my shin bone are sore to the touch

I had it in my head to go running this evening despite the pain but then I decided to not to because I researched it online and it warns against training until it heals..

Just wanted to know if anyone has any experience of it and how long did it take you to heal?

I am really worried about it as I have stuck to my training programme through thick and thin for the last ten weeks and now I have to put it aside until this heals… I'm gutted.

How long should I rest it for? Would it be ok to keep running on it, on the treadmill (albeit slowly!?) or is there no hope for me!??

For those of you who have not experienced this, I envy you and I would recommend building up those muscles to make sure it never visits you...

Going to cry into my slice of cake now...:(

boredatwork82

I got diagnosed with a condition, it causes extreme pain and tightness in the calves, and on of the symptoms is shin splints. As part of the treatment he is looking at these shin split straps you can get from some crowd in limerick, he is going to see about ordering these for me if they have a pair big enough (rugby calves!) http://www.flemingmedical.ie/fmweb/catalog/ShowParts.aspx?CategoryID=18244

I don't know how effective they are, or if they are any good, but it might be worth a shot.

By the way I train and play through the pain for the last year or so, and continue to do so. Its sore and painful but if it means that much to you, its managable.

ecoli

Shampster wrote: »

Hi all,

I started training for the Dublin City Marathon 10 weeks ago. I have slowly been increasing my mileage by the recommended 10% every week.

Before I started the training programme, I probably ran three nights a week for years. I have been doing so well in my training, in so far as not having any injuries and generally feeling great!

Then suddenly, two days ago I got shin splints out of nowhere! :eek: I got it the next day after only a meagre four mile run!!! Why not after the sixteen mile run I did last thursday??? I have it in my right leg and I'm in a lot of pain. I can hardly walk and the muscles behind my shin bone are sore to the touch

I had it in my head to go running this evening despite the pain but then I decided to not to because I researched it online and it warns against training until it heals..

Just wanted to know if anyone has any experience of it and how long did it take you to heal?

I am really worried about it as I have stuck to my training programme through thick and thin for the last ten weeks and now I have to put it aside until this heals… I'm gutted.

How long should I rest it for? Would it be ok to keep running on it, on the treadmill (albeit slowly!?) or is there no hope for me!??

For those of you who have not experienced this, I envy you and I would recommend building up those muscles to make sure it never visits you...

Going to cry into my slice of cake now...:(

I was in your situation at start of the year and cost me my track season. My advice is to go see a physio to indentify the cause of the problem. Altrnative methods of training to keep your fitness would be aqua jogging if you can get access to a suitable pool this stimulates same muscles with on of the impact. Alternatively try using the eliptical trainer in the gym not as beneficial to runners but keeps the fitness up somewhat and is not wight bearing either

Rineanna

How long should I rest it for? Would it be ok to keep running on it, on the treadmill (albeit slowly!?) or is there no hope for me!??

Shampster,


You're asking for medical advice which, as per charter, isn't allowed. Someone could give you advice which for how long to rest it for and you may up injuring yourself more as a result. Ecoli gave the best advice: You're best offto get an expert's opinion, as costly as it is.

Thanks,

Rineanna.