Shin splints anyone ?

[Dave7]

For the last 3 weeks I have been walking between 2-4 miles daily (in one go, not in total).
No problems and very enjoyable.
However, approx 2 hour after I got back home my left shin felt very sore/tender.
Now, 12 hors later the leg seems fine but strangely my right shin is now hurting.
I assume its what is called shin splints.
What think you ??
If so, do I just need to give it a few days rest?

 

[gbb]

Had it when I used to jog, not nice at all.
Nothing I can offer really other than footwear, more accurately inappropriate footwear couldd have been a contributor.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

For the last 3 weeks I have been walking between 2-4 miles daily (in one go, not in total).

Is this a new exercise pattern for you?

 

[Dave7]

Is this a new exercise pattern for you?

Yes, started about 3 weeks ago. Been fine up till this morning.

 

[Dave7]

Had it when I used to jog, not nice at all.
Nothing I can offer really other than footwear, more accurately inappropriate footwear couldd have been a contributor.

I read that but I am wearing the same good quality NIKE trainers.

 

[presta]

Are you bending at the knees, or walking stilt-legged? If you're walking briskly and don't cushion the impact as your heels hit the ground it can cause problems.

 

[Dave7]

Are you bending at the knees, or walking stilt-legged? If you're walking briskly and don't cushion the impact as your heels hit the ground it can cause problems.

TBH I have no idea, I've never thought about it.

 

[Tenkaykev]

TBH I have no idea, I've never thought about it.

You could set your phone up in the garden and record a video as you walk parallel to it a distance away? I find that walking from the hips with the upper body relaxed is more economical. ( imagine your hip joints to be ball bearings if you see what I mean )

 

[Dave7]

Reporting back.
4 days now and its quite painful when walking/hobbling or to touch.
I am going to have some pain killers which I really try to avoid.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Yes, started about 3 weeks ago. Been fine up till this morning.

Probably too much too quickly. Now it is catching up with you. Increase exercise progressively and slowly and ease back about once every 5 weeks.

 

[Shearwater Missile]

Ming has got it spot on. I saw a lot of that when I used to run, with newbies to running, it was quite common. The only thing that was ever suggested, other than having comfortable shoes with plenty of cushioning, was to make sure you have plenty of rest between walks and build up slowly.

 

[vickster]

Maybe you need some orthotics in shoes?

 

[Webbo2]

I read that but I am wearing the same good quality NIKE trainers.

I might be wrong on this but are not trainers that are designed for running built for landing the front of your foot first these days. Where as when you walk you heel strike.
You might be better with some walking/ approach shoes.

 

[Dave7]

I might be wrong on this but are not trainers that are designed for running built for landing the front of your foot first these days. Where as when you walk you heel strike.
You might be better with some walking/ approach shoes.

I really dont know, the 1st part sounds right but in my running days it was heel first the roll onto towards the front.

 

[presta]

Probably too much too quickly. Now it is catching up with you. Increase exercise progressively and slowly and ease back about once every 5 weeks.

Yup, an hour or so a day every day is far too much for new exercise, three or four 30 minute sessions a week is nearer the mark, increasing by about 10% a week.

Heel strike (and overtraining) is what put paid to my fellwalking and forced me to switch to cycle touring instead. By the time I learnt to place my feet more carefully it was too late, and I just spent more and more time laid up injured, and less and less time between injuries.