sore shins, couch to 5k, too fat?

[PatioPonderer]

Hi

I've just started couch to 5k week 1 but I am getting sore shins during/after runs. I think its because I am about 4stone overweight. I am putting a cold pack on my shins. Can I carry on or will I do damage to myself? I really want to lose weight!

Are you wearing proper shoes?

I had sore shins after week 2. I was in a lot of pain, could hardly walk downstairs. I think I had shin splints. So I rested until they were better. Took just over a week and then started week 1 again. Also bought new running shoes.

It was a pain but worth it. Have now completed c25k. Good luck.

I am wearing proper running shoes, but they were bought off the internet. I'm just looking online and wondering if I need gait analysis to get the right shoes for me or maybe I need orthotics.

I started Couch25k 3/4 weeks ago, now on week 4 - it is incredible!! For 20 years I believed I couldn't run as would get shin splints (previously did)..... I ummed and arrrghed about getting new running shoes beforehand and asked advice on here. The best advice I was given was no way do you need expensive running shoes to do Couch25k, just get on and do it in your old trainers!! And I did!

They were right, shin splints is all about doing too much too soon, which is theoretically impossible if you follow the program properly. I did certainly get some shin pain as you describe in the first couple of weeks but now.... nothing at all! I think it's just your poor legs complaining a bit about using muscles they are not used to using and they are bound to ache a bit. I think the most important thing is to do the warm up and finish walks and to keep going with the program IMHO. I'm no expert but I think the program is amazing and I'm still in delighted shock that I can now run(jog) for 5 minutes, a miracle!
Good luck!

Try some shock absorber type insoles, if those don't help then perhaps new shoes, I got shin pain when I started and insoles helped, but I got new shoes eventually as was still getting some pain on longer runs and they have sorted it completely. Don't give up c25k is a fantastic way to start running.