Is this shin splints and if so what do I do?

[isspringonitsway]

I started back running in January after not doing much at all for some months and ended up doing 100k in January and then 100k during February and now want to at least attempt to do this distance (or more) each month . I have been really enjoying it and have been pleased to see my times and general fitness improving.

I haven't been pushing myself hugely and have been quite careful not to up my weekly distances by too much for fear of injury as in the past I have done too much too soon and injured myself (never had sore shins though).

All has been going well... BUT, for the past few days I have noticed a tender spot on my shin. This hadn't been hurting whilst running so I haven't thought much of it.

Today I went for a run and had to cut it short as my shin was hurting (and my knee on the other leg...) and I couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't doing my leg any good by continuing. Now I'm home the shin is extremely tender, a bit like a bruise and where it's sore it is also slightly raised / swollen. I am icing it in the hope it will help.

Is this a shin splint? Do I need to rest and if so, for how long?? I really don't want to stop or reduce my running as I'm enjoying where I am with it at the moment and feel that if I rest for a while now I will lose my momentum... any advice?!

For context I ran (a fast) 7km last Friday, a slow 7km on Sunday, 8km on Tuesday, 5km yesterday (PB) and 6km today... ah, that's a bit too much isn't it?!!

Sounds similar to what I have I thought mine was shin splints too but now 3 weeks later and still painful I think it might be a stress fracture . I too had recently ramped up my running and had no inkling until my shin started hurting half way through a run. I haven’t run since as even walking too much makes it ache but hoping I will be recovered by the end of March as I am desperately missing it. Hopefully yours isn’t as serious but I would definately rest for the rest of the weekend and maybe cut down a bit until you are fully recovered as there is nothing worse than being injured

@Stirmecrazy

Sounds similar to what I have I thought mine was shin splints too but now 3 weeks later and still painful I think it might be a stress fracture . I too had recently ramped up my running and had no inkling until my shin started hurting half way through a run. I haven’t run since as even walking too much makes it ache but hoping I will be recovered by the end of March as I am desperately missing it. Hopefully yours isn’t as serious but I would definately rest for the rest of the weekend and maybe cut down a bit until you are fully recovered as there is nothing worse than being injured

Thank you for the kind message. I hope you recover soon. I'll take it easy for a few days and see how it feels. How did you realise yours was a stress fracture and what's the difference? That doesn't sound good at all...

Lots of googling and you tube videos! Stress fractures tend to have a specific sore point on the shin which is painful to touch and but they initially present quite similar to shin splints. They are also very painful if you hop or jump on that leg. You can get it confirmed with an X-ray but often as they are tiny they can be missed. I haven’t bothered as I am already 3.5 weeks post injury now and it is slowly getting better.The only main solution is rest and then slow recovery. I am gutted though as I was finally getting into running and making progress.