rassi69 says:

I just started running and my cardio is steadily improving, but through the last two runs i did my right calf, but not behind my shin more infront of if hurt a little kind of felt sore, and my shin now a day after hurts when i press on the side of it near the center? i have no idea what it is or if its just because im not used to running. Im scared about shin splints though and i know nothing about them.

Someone please help!

 Blxm says:

Hi rassi, your symptoms could be the beginning of shin splints but it might as well be just muscle pain after some good workouts. In both cases take it easy for a while.

Shin splints is a colective noun for a series of injuries. Just Google and you'll get a load of information. In general the best cure is rest and cooling. When you react at the first signs in most cases cure goes fast. By neglecting the signs some nasty injuries may develop like inflamation and nerve problems.

To prevent shin splints:
Wear good shoes (in most cases shin splints appear at runners that pronate).
Do a good warming up and cooldown.
Build distance up slowly.
Don't do too much sprint, hilltraining and jumping.
Vary your training impact (after a heavy training a light training)
And most important: take your rest, don't overdo it. Rest is part of your training. During the workout you break apart, during rest you build up. Stronger and better than before.

If cardio is your main goal you can also try some crosstraining like biking and rowing (or eventually swimming although that will charge your shin muscles as well).

 Fartlek says:

I had a similar problem when I started running and increased the mileage. My "anterior tibial Shin" used to get tensed and tight a within a mile of running.

After a lot of researching I came to know of some good information.(most of them are mentioned by Blxm in a nutshell) However in my case (anterior tibialshins splint) a change of shoe and more importantly the following exercise for the shins helped to get over it. Once I started excerising, I never had any problem with my shins agains. 2-3 sets of 10 repaeats on regular basis did the trick for me.

Exercise:

"Lie on your bed, stomach down. Let your toes hang off the foot of the bed. Gently pull your toes toward your knees, squishing the mattress between your toes and the front of your shin. The mattress will provide just the right amount of resistance to strengthen the shin muscles."

 Blxm says:

Fartlek decribes a good excercise. A comparable excercise you can do while watchin tv is pulling you toes to you knee while pressing with the other foot on the bending foot to get some resistance. If you think your complaints are serious don't be afraid to consult a medic. With shin splints the sooner you're at it, the quicker it cures.

 Playmaker says:

Feels like someone is taking a knife and flaying the muscle off your shins.

I found a combination of advil with special sleeves that have ice packs in them help with the recovery.

 sub_pop says:

First post here, new runner. I used to run when I was younger, and I got terrible shin splints. I also got horrible calf cramps. The kind that woke me up in the middle of the night screaming. If you're not sure of your footwear, stop at a good running store and have them watch your step. If it needs correction, a good specialist will make sure you get into the right shoe. I have not had any shin pain or calf cramps since I started a moderate running regimen.

 lipsticklust says:

If it is a "pinpoint" that hurts on your shin, it is most likely a stress fracture. If it is your general shin area, then its most likely a shin splint. Until you can get it checked out by a sports medicine doctor, ice after each workout and try to skip running and try something less impact i.e biking, elliptical.

 John Vaughn says:

Also, shin splint pain dissapates when you run after you are warm. Stress fracture won't go away during exercise!