Running is a really simple thing that we can do for our cardiovascular and mental health. All you need is a pair of running shoes, and you have no excuse not to put your feet to the pavement. With that said, if you are approaching running for the first time, you should know that you are more prone to injury than seasoned runners, particularly when it comes to shin splints. The reason why you might feel pain in your shins is because this where a lot of the force goes when you strike your foot on the floor, and the shin also overcompensates for other parts of the leg that might be weaker.
This, however, is no excuse not to start running. Make sure that you have a good podiatrist you can contact at the first sign of pain, but there are also things you can do to prevent shin splints from occurring in the first place.
Get yourself a great pair of running shoes. Your foot comes into contact with great force again and again when you are running, and this means that your choice of running footwear is incredibly important. Not all sports shoes are equal. Look for shoes with plenty of midsole and outsole material that will help with shock absorption, taking the pressure off your shins. You should also choose a running shoe with a strong arch because this will encourage your foot to land in the middle instead of on the heel, which also takes pressure off shins. If you are unsure about appropriate running footwear, consult your podiatrist.
Start out gently. If you are not experienced at running, deciding that you are going to run for an hour a day straight out the gate is going to put way too much stress on muscles that aren't used to working so hard. There is no shame in starting your running journey in a gentle way and building up your stamina, leg muscles and shins over time. Also, be sure that you have at least a couple of rest days each week so that your muscles have some time out.
Run on softer surfaces. It can be tricky if you live in a concrete jungle, but it really is preferable to run on a softer surface like grass or asphalt. This is simply because a soft surface will more readily absorb shock from your legs and feet, so all of that shock doesn't reverberate around your shins, resulting in pain.
Follow this advice and your running journey should be safe, enjoyable and result in much greater fitness.
Share6 April 2018
Hi, my name is Steve and I’m a keen runner. I’ve been running for fun for years. I love the buzz I get from a long run and the fact that my hobby helps keeps me fit. Last year, I started to experience problems with my feet and ankles. It started with just a few twinges and soreness but ended up getting so bad that I couldn’t run to my usual schedule any longer. I couldn’t work out what was going wrong, so a friend recommended I see a podiatrist. I was a bit sceptical at first; however, my podiatrist immediately identified some issues with my running gait and shoes that were causing my problems. I started this blog to pass on some of the advice I got for any other runners who are suddenly suffering from unexplained discomfort. Hope it helps keep you on the road!
