Run-Down Forums

[Guest]

Hi Dan:

You may remember me from when I wrote to you about my shin splints. I tried the resistance stretching for awhile but mostly I rested. Now I am starting up again, slowly, and did have the shin splints again. I realized I was starting to run too fast at the beginning and started to slow down. This helped a bit. Then I realized I was putting too much weight(?)/pressure(?) on the landing so I started to jog landing on the outside of my feet at the beginning. Then when I was warmed up a bit I could land normally. This seemed to stop the shin splints. But now the pain is at the back of my leg around the ankle. The gym lady said it was my Achilles tendon. It feels exactly like an (anterior) shin splint but now it is posterior. Do you know what this is? I wondered if my shoes had anything to do with it. When I was young I used to like running cross country in bare feet. Now that I have started up again (slowly) because of the aches and pains , I wonder if the fancy shoes they have now that support everything are not meant for me. Any advice?

Thank you.

[Dan]

Sorry, the "name" doesn't ring a bell... Lots of people have written to me about shin splints.

I have no medical training, but there is one thing I feel very strongly about in opposition to the standard medical and sports therapy profession -- rest and ice will not help shin splints!!! Shin splints are mostly due to a muscle imbalance, so unless you correct that (through the exercises), they will come back as soon as you start running again.

As far as running motion is concerned, I would focus on keeping everything level and straight ahead. Consciously landing on the inside or outside is likely to cause problems. It's normal to roll toward the outside of the foot as you transition from heel to midfoot, then come back in toward the big toe.

I was told I needed motion control (stability) shoes for awhile. I eventually went to lightweight trainers that allowed my feet to move naturally and had a lot less foot problems. From what I am told, the shoes of the 70's were similar to today's racing flats. Read a great article on it in the Guest Articles.

Hope this helps,
Dan

[Guest]

Thanks Dan for all of your wonderful advice and
help. This is a great forum you have .

[Dan]

You're welcome, glad you like it!