I can't run... help?

Question

After a few minutes i get crippling shin splints.

i have tried extra stretching and increased padding in my shoes

the funny thing is, when I play flag football or soccer, I don't get shin splints - only when i try to run for exercise

help... i need to run more... im terribly out of shape

i tried to grit my teeth and push through the pain last time. Bad idea - my shins hurt for three days

Answer 1

This happened to me in Marine Corps boot camp.....I was and am in great shape. I never ran though......I lived on my bike. It's simple, your bones are not used to the banging that running causes....start slow, walk fast, take your time...this can't be done overnight....your body will tell you what to do and when to do it.....train slowly, you cannot get results over night, also being young can help you get into shape much faster. I would say get a treadmill first and work you way up to it.

Answer 2

Running definitely can hurt your shins, ankles, legs, and many more limbs. But don't get discouraged. Many things can help, from my experience with shin pain, finding the right running shoe can help with support, and to reduce pressure. You might want to try Asics, this is my favorite running shoe, and most models of the shoe have a lot of support. Stretching can help, and also taking a couple of days off, it might help. But even if you have tried everything, there is one more alternative. Swimming. I'm a cross country runner and a year round swimmer, for me, both sports go hand in hand. But swimming will tone and shape your overall body. Now I'm not sure about this, but I can tell from my experience that you will be shin splint free in the pool. You will find that it tones your legs, abs, back, arms, and everything else. It is hard at first, starting out, but once you learn how to swim the correct way, there will be no stopping you! The best way to swim is start out with the basics of freestyle(since this is the main stroke) and build your technique while building endurance. I promise it will help you to get in shape. Good luck and give swimming a try!

Answer 3

What kind of stretching are you doing? Stretch your calves a great deal and try toe raises as an extra exercise to build up the opposing muscles in your legs. Your calves probably get a lot of work but the muscles to balance them out do not.

You need to rest for at least a week and practice RICE to help your injury heal (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Also, you can take a few ibuprofen a day if the pain is too much and to help reduce swelling.

If you can't run, at least walk on a soft surface (dirt or grass) and then slowly build back up to jogging/running, like over the course of a few weeks. Don't push it even if you think you are near 100% because you may not be, yet.

If you need the exercise very badly, you may wish to do some cycling or other cross-training exercise in the meantime. You can also try jogging backwards to help keep some strain off your lower legs as you get back to your healthy state. This is an injury similar to tendinitis and can take a long time to heal. Take it easy for a few weeks.

Answer 4

kiki and fearophobia need a little education.

Shin splints


Shin splints (also called traction periosteitis) is a condition that causes pain and sometimes swelling in the front part of the lower leg (shin). This condition is caused by inflammation of the fibrous covering of the bone (periosteum) and the attached muscle fibers.

Most often, shin splints are the result of repeated pounding (impact loading) on hard surfaces during athletic activities such as running, basketball, or tennis.

Rest from high-impact activities is usually the recommended treatment, along with using ice packs, warm soaks, protective wraps, and anti-inflammatory medications. Sometimes physical therapy can be helpful.

Use the correct techniques (movements) or positions during activities so that you do not strain your muscles.

Answer 5

It could be what ur running on... sometimes floors and cement can be very hard on your shins... Try the track or run in grass in a flat area (try to avoid an area with patches and holes).

Do your arches hurt? Because it could be coming from your arches collapsing... but idk why it wouldnt hurt while playing other sport.

What i think most is its because you are so out of shape... Its gonna hurt a lot trying to get into shape.. but keep pushing yourself.. and strech a lot before.. and MOST importanly after you run. Try a lot of streches to reach almost every area...

When it comes to the other sports things maybe its because when ur playing football.. u have ur mind on the ball & the other players.. same with soccer... Try running with some1 else and keeping a conversation going to keep ur mind of the running... or listen to music with a MP3 player or something... Hopefully that will help.

Too help with your skin splints... strech that area a lot and put icey freeze or something liek that on it.. or maybe just Ice..

Answer 6

Try running in the elliptical machine for a bit and work your way up to running outdoors. You're going to have to fight through the pain for a bit in order to get rid of the shin splints. They do hurt like hell but in time they go away.

Answer 7

Shin splints are NOT in your mind. They hurt. The problem is that you're running on a hard, flat surface, rather then in softer uneven ground like in soccer. You need to get a shoe that is more fitted for your foot. I found that my problem was the arch and Adidas work for me, where Nikes work for others.

Answer 8

Start with easier exercise to tone the muscles of your legs. Walking and stair-climbing can help to tone and stretch the same muscles as you want to use for running. Like any exercise routine, start at a comfortable level, and slowly increase the time/distance.

After a while, return to running/jogging. Again, start slowly. Perhaps set a short route, walk it for one "lap," then jog/run it for one "lap," and walk it again for a final "lap." Again, over time, increase the time/distance, as well as the amount of running relative to the walking. Basically, you are using the walking as a warm up and as a cool down, so that the muscles you want to work through running are stretched before and after your run.

Answer 9

you do not have to "run". there are lots of other ways to get a good cardio workout to get you into shape. if you have a gym membership, you can swim, use the eleptical machines, the steppers, or if you don't have a gym membership you can ride a bike, and that will give definitly get you back into shape. you can get a relativleygood mountain bike for less than $100, and you can ride it every morning, or every evening, which ever you prefer. Don't ever try to puch yourself when you are in extreme pain. that is one sure way to end up in the hospital. It's not all in your head, you have to listen to your body, and do what is best for you.

Answer 10

there is a runner .com website log on there and ask the professionals a question.

I started slowly and walked one month before I ran. ( have been running 5 years) and yes i have had the shin pain but it did last for a year . good luck.