Shin Splints Be Gone

[Nicki Laycoax]

I didn't end up running the Komen Race for the Cure 5k, but I did walk the family 1 mile with my Mom, niece, and boyfriend. I only gave myself a month to train, and it turned into a week... Apparently I'm not the best with time management?

Now I have decided that if I'm going to get back in shape, it has to be because I want to do it or I'm just not going to stick with it. I keep seeing people Tweeting about getting back from their x amount mile runs, and quite frankly, I'm jealous. I want to be one of them. There's a problem with that though... I can't run! I get shin splints so bad that after 4 blocks, I have to stop and work them out.

I've decided that I will run every night for as long as it takes to get my stamina up, because I will be one of those runners.

I'm excited!

[Nancy Jerominski]

Shin splints are due to a muscle imbalance in your legs. Do you wear heels during the day? If you keep trying to run "through the pain" all you'll do is have a very bad injury and you'll sideline your fitness goals. Pain is our body's idiot light and it means "Stop!" not continue on through it! There is a big difference between joint and muscle injury PAIN and the fatigue associated with a proper workout, which can also be uncomfortable. One is decidedly not good for you and the other will help make you stronger IF you're training correctly. There are no short cuts to being fit, including doing it faster or longer.

Long distance runners are often chronically injured, but run anyway then wonder why they actually have to stop running completely sometime down the road. Hire a good trainer who knows how to find and correct the imbalances between the flexors and extensors of your spine. What happens in your hips and low backs translates all the down to your feet and up to your neck. Listen to your body! It's telling you very clearly it's being injured.

Which makes you stronger? Runnning and lots of cardio or resistance training? Keep following my blogs :-)

[Angela Buraglia]

You can do it! It might help to stretch your shins and ankles more before you run. Helps me, so hopefully it'll help you too!