Shin Splints

I’ve not found that an extended layoff speeds up the healing of shin splints. My book on injuries, Running Injuries—Treatment and Prevention, has some info on shin splints. Here are some suggestions.

  • Make sure that your shoes are right for your feet and that you’re not pronating so much that you could use an orthotic. Even if you overpronate, a good arch support will often give you enough correction, but make sure.
  • You should incorporate much more walking into your long runs. If you’ve been taking a one-minute walk break every four minutes, do a one-minute break every two minutes.
  • Try to stay below the threshold of irritation. If running 3 miles every other day makes it hurt, then drop to 2 miles and put walk breaks into each.
  • Don’t race or do speedwork until the shin splints go away.
  • You can run through shin splints as long as you don’t have a stress fracture or other more serious shin problems.

Common Runner’s Injuries

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