I know several women here run. I've just started running for short intervals during my daily walk and I love it and what it does for my metabolism! But...the last few days (I've been running for about a week) I've had some pain in my shins. I don't think it's shin splints since I've heard they are very painful but I'd like to take care of this before it gets any worse. I've got a month old pair of running shoes that I was fitted for but I don't know if I should be wrapping my calves or if there are specific stretches I should be doing for this problem. Any advice?

By Juli4 on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 02:10 pm:

yeah I just went running for the first time in a while last night and have the same pains in my shins. I have had shin splints in the past and they hurt and seem to take a while to go away. So I could use the info also

By Vicki on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 02:11 pm:

I used to get shin splints all the time at the start of track season. I would just do stretches for them and suck it up and go through the pain. They eventually would go away as I got more used to the work out. I am sure that isn't the "proper" thing to do though. LOL

By Debbie on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 02:36 pm:

It is probably the start of shin splints. I have this problem when I run outside. I am fine on my treadmill(it has shock absorption). Some of the main causes of shin splints are not stretching properly, running on hard surfaces, not having the proper shoes, and starting out to fast, or too long, with your running.

It sounds like your shoes aren't the problem. I would make sure you are stretching really well before starting. If you can avoid running on concrete, that will help. I would also make sure you aren't doing too much, too soon. Also, if you do calf raises, it will help stengthen the muscles in your lower legs.

I would recommend taking an anti-inflamatory medicine, like ibprofen for a few days, and go back to walking only. When they feel better, I would make sure you are stretching, and maybe start out with smaller intervals of running, and avoid concrete if possible.

By Kym on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 06:26 pm:

Check out chirunning.com I love this program! Pain free running My 45 year old frined who has never been a runner used this program and ran a pain free 10K last weekend with 4 weeks training.

By Mrsheidi on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 07:08 pm:

Ditto Debbie, especially with the anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.

By Boxzgrl on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 07:51 pm:

Just make sure you don't take anti-inflammatory pills *before* running.

Everything else I would say Debbie already said.

By Tink on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 07:55 pm:

Ugh, it sounds like the concrete I'm running on is probably the problem. I stretch pretty well after warming up and I'm running one block and walking 3-4 to recover so I don't think I'm doing too much too fast. Unfortunately, I don't have any other option. There isn't a track nearby and I don't have a treadmill. I'll walk for awhile now and try again as it feels better. Kym, I bookmarked that site so I can give it a better look. Thanks to all of you!

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 07:57 pm:

I used to have problems on both concrete AND the treadmill UNTIL I started stretching beforehand. A long calf stretch on each leg, then a shin stretch. Once I started doing those I've never had a problem again. Before that I ALWAYS had shin splints, walking or running either one. Once they hurt, you really need to stay off of them for exercise and take the ibuprof like recommended until they're healed. They really do hurt.