Shin Splints are Not Welcome Here
Before my last running break, I noticed my legs (shin area) started to ache. I would randomly ice them but didn't give it too much attention. I figured if it was really shin splints, they would hurt a lot more. My long run had gone up a bit but my weekly runs hadn't. So, I figured since I wasn't increasing the mileage too fast, surely it couldn't be shin splints.
Once I started running again, the achiness came back. It's not an all-the-time pain and doesn't even bother me every time I'm running. So I decided (am really hoping) that maybe it's just an indication the my shins are tight and weak. It's funny, when I think about a runner, I think about someone really fit and in shape. Which is definitely true for most runners. But, for me, it's showing me how much strength I'm lacking and it worries me that it'll make me more injury prone.
So, I turned to trusty Google and found a few things that I want to incorporate into my daily routine. I have a really hard time exercising when it's not running but am hoping the fear of injury will motivate me (that and I am planning to work towards a half marathon and want to be as ready as possible).
1. Stretches. I've started doing the standing stretch after runs and the sitting one throughout the day at work.
2. Icing them. Sounds like a no-brainer but I have a hard time doing it. I had approximately 11 minutes tonight after my run while dinner was cooking so I sat by the oven and put ice packs on.
3. Exercises to Prevent Shin Splints I tried these (except the monster walks) for the first time this morning. I used to do the toe curls for ballet, those weren't too bad. The heel drop was really awkward at first but I think it'll get better. The one-legged bridges were actually really hard for me. That was one of the eye-openers that showed me how weak I am!
4. Compression sleeves. I want to give these a try but need to order/buy some. Has anyone had any luck with these for shin splints?
Any other suggestions?
I thought I read somewhere to vary your pace, what surfaces you run on, and throw some hills in for variation. If I find the article, I will come back and link it. I ran intervals today- 0.5 mile slow warm-up and then a mile of 30 seconds fast pace and 30 seconds of recovery pace. My shins didn't hurt at all! At least while I was running. Afterwards they started to ache a little. Tomorrow is supposed to be cross training. I know it's supposed to be another cardio workout but I'm planning on doing some yoga.
If you have any personal experience and/or tips, I would love to hear them!
Once I started running again, the achiness came back. It's not an all-the-time pain and doesn't even bother me every time I'm running. So I decided (am really hoping) that maybe it's just an indication the my shins are tight and weak. It's funny, when I think about a runner, I think about someone really fit and in shape. Which is definitely true for most runners. But, for me, it's showing me how much strength I'm lacking and it worries me that it'll make me more injury prone.
So, I turned to trusty Google and found a few things that I want to incorporate into my daily routine. I have a really hard time exercising when it's not running but am hoping the fear of injury will motivate me (that and I am planning to work towards a half marathon and want to be as ready as possible).
1. Stretches. I've started doing the standing stretch after runs and the sitting one throughout the day at work.
2. Icing them. Sounds like a no-brainer but I have a hard time doing it. I had approximately 11 minutes tonight after my run while dinner was cooking so I sat by the oven and put ice packs on.
3. Exercises to Prevent Shin Splints I tried these (except the monster walks) for the first time this morning. I used to do the toe curls for ballet, those weren't too bad. The heel drop was really awkward at first but I think it'll get better. The one-legged bridges were actually really hard for me. That was one of the eye-openers that showed me how weak I am!
4. Compression sleeves. I want to give these a try but need to order/buy some. Has anyone had any luck with these for shin splints?
Any other suggestions?
I thought I read somewhere to vary your pace, what surfaces you run on, and throw some hills in for variation. If I find the article, I will come back and link it. I ran intervals today- 0.5 mile slow warm-up and then a mile of 30 seconds fast pace and 30 seconds of recovery pace. My shins didn't hurt at all! At least while I was running. Afterwards they started to ache a little. Tomorrow is supposed to be cross training. I know it's supposed to be another cardio workout but I'm planning on doing some yoga.
If you have any personal experience and/or tips, I would love to hear them!
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