Shin splints?

[dollybird]

reposting here for traffic.

Hi all,

I started running last August (previously ran regularly in 2011), starting with couch to 5k, and had a two month break in Jan/Feb due to getting new trainers that killed my feet! I went back to my 8 year old trainers with new insoles, and have been running twice a week since then, building up to 10k race for life in July.

I had a two week break as on holiday, then it was really hot, but I was back to running 5k again. Thought it was time I tried again to get some new trainers as my old ones are getting a bit past it, so I went to a different shop that was recommended to me last Saturday, and they were fantastic - really thoroughly assessed my gait and gave lots of advice. Turns out the trainers I bought last year were too small (my actual shoe size rather than a size up) and for over-pronators even though the previous shop had assessed me as neutral now. I bought some neutral Brooks trainers that are so comfortable.

I've only run twice in them (last time Tuesday), but I've started to suffer with shin pain, kind of a burning down my shin, which I'm pretty sure is shin splints or early signs of. I'm not sure what to do now, whether the trainers aren't actually right for me (so take them back), or if I just need some time to get used to them, or if it could have been caused by running barefoot on the treadmill when they assessed my gait. I really don't want to waste the £140 that I spent on the trainers, or have to give up running again!

Apologies for the essay!

I’m not a runner but I had shin splints from walking in new trainers. I walked much further than I usually did and had that awful searing burning pain right down the shin bone afterwards.

Did you attempt more than usual after your 2 week break or was it a familiar route/length?

I was told to rest up, ice the area and take Ibuprofen till it eased then gradually return to walking. You definitely need to rest now but I’d also return the trainers as they could have been a contributing factor.

I think the sports shops that assess gait are so variable and we are at their mercy when they tell us we over pronate or need this or that particular style. Often I think staff don’t know what they are doing.

Luxesoap I ran 6k and 7k so not as far as I did before the two week break, but further than I had done since. A slightly different route, with a couple of long slight inclines (the kind that knacker you more than a short steep hill!), And on one of the runs a long downhill. I suppose that could have contributed.

The shoe shop were so thorough and knowledgeable, and they spent a lot of time with me assessing my feet and gait, and got me to run outside in all the trainers I tried. (Unlike the previous shop who filmed me running on the treadmill, told me I've a neutral gait and sold me a too small pair of shoes for over pronators). I'd be really disappointed if after all that I've still got the wrong trainers for my feet.

Will definitely be resting as still sore after a week of no running (and I've got a cold 🙄). I don't have an opportunity to go back to the shop till next Tuesday, but hopefully it might ease up a bit by then.

It could be the inclines that contributed. The first time I got shin splints involved a different route that has a long slight Incline. The pain is awful. I hope it’s not your trainers if they’re comfy. If you’ve not suffered with shin splints before though it could be and I’d definitely go back to the shop. They sound good so hopefully will want you to be wearing the best possible shoes for you. Hope it eases up soon.

I had shin splints 8 years ago after I did a 10k much faster than I previously had. It's why I ended up giving up running until last year, as as soon as I tried to run after my legs felt better it came back. Funnily enough though, it's those trainers I've been wearing until I got my new ones 🤔