I feel sometimes like a disaster at this running malarky.........always something holding me back on the injury front. I get this quite alot so i thought i would do a post about it. My legs on the bones feel like they are bruised and they are very tender to touch i have only been able to rack up one run this month as basically the pain is so sore that i cant.I usually get this pain after a few days in a row running but it goes away but i dont seen to be able to shake it off at the moment......Dunno its up the inner shin side bone and to touch it feels bruised ans very sore but there is no swelling or bruising present.I take it that its from runnig on road surfaces alot and maybe the impact is causing this problem.......any ideas anyone? They would be much appreciated.Im considering a visit to the doctor as its becoming a big thing with my running or lack of it at the moment.
Originally posted at 9:32am, 6 October 2008. • 26 posts ( permalink )
My shoes are not to old.......I had this problem with my shoes i used to have also.Is that what shin splints feel like? Does it ever realy go away then if its not the shoes...its not as though im new to running and just teething pains. Im hoping to get a marathon done next year but this is really setting me back because im simply so sore that constant training is becoming impossible.
As a former sufferer of terrible shin splint pain similar to what you seem to describe (i.e., pain along the inner shin bone), let me pass along a few of the things helped me the most:
1) NEVER run consecutive days; always give your shins at least one day of rest between runs.
2) Be very gradual about increasing your distance, and don't be afraid to take a week off once in a while.
3) Try and adjust your running technique: avoid a heavy heel strike and shorten your stride. To this end, I highly recommend you at least read the book ChiRunning by Danny Dreyer. It may not be for you, but I can say with all honesty that my chronic shin splints essentially disappeared after I started using Dreyer's technique, and they have not reappeared in the year since.
I get sensitive/sore shins sometimes that aren't shin splints, merely running a bit too much and/or not stretching enough. I find a sports massage really helps.
Cheers guys.....i will give some of these things a try and i will keep you posted on how i get on.My running technique and stretching properly will be the first on the agenda......I have a longish stride length so i might try shortening that which i take it will take a little bit of impact out of each stride.
I have always landed with a heal strike and then through my foot to take off from my big toe,seems that could be partly to aid injuries from what i have been researching online......I thought heel strike was the correct way of landing.....Was i wrong? Any ideas or advice on how you guys run..
Many running experts do say that striking with the heel and rolling onto the big toe is proper technique, but others (including Danny Dreyer in ChiRunning) say that a mid-sole strike is easier on the body.
Personally, I say use whatever works best for you; however, if you're getting shin splints (as I was) with a heel-strike technique, then try a mid-sole technique (Dreyer's isn't the only one) and see if it helps.
The guy in the video you posted seems to have pretty good ChiRunning form, though his foot still strikes slightly forward of his centre of gravity. With ChiRunning, the idea is to lean forward slightly so that your foot strike actually happens slightly behind your centre of gravity. At the same time, you keep your ankles and calves as relaxed as possible. So there is very little strain on the knees and lower legs, and gravity does most of the work.
Check out these videos:
If you search for ChiRunning on YouTube, you'll find a bunch of these types of videos. Some of them come off as being somewhat evangelistic, but don't let that put you off. See if your local library has Dreyer's book and check it out. It can be touchy-feely at times, but the actual running technique chapters are pretty solid, IMO.
Thanks yea had a look at these videos already when i found the one i posted looks like something i will definatly be trying when im able to do some running again,maybe not the complete chi thing but it does seem to be a solution hopefully.
i suffered from shin splints for years, then a new running shop opened in my area, they had a treadmill with slow motion video, they assessed my running style and recommended the correct shoes for me ( Nike Air Structure) in the 2 years since at 50 mpw no more problem. so i would suggest you have your style assessed and get the correct shoes for you. the shoes that work great for me may not be for you but the correct shoe for you will probably solve your problem.
I had my running style assesed on a treadmill and was from that i bought a pair of asics gel kayano 14....Realy dont think my trainers are the problem cos i think they are great and i would buy them again.....i used to use nike air pegasus trainers but found they were to bouncy and floaty.....my asics are a few months old but i wouldnt say they are worn out yet at all. I do think though that my long stride and my heel srike could be the problem,so i am going to try out this mid foot plant with a shorter stride which dosnt reach out in front of my body.Dont know how i will get on with that as its realy not my natural way of running but if it means that i can keep injuries to a minimum then why not.
