Shin splints and training. Need advice.

bandhope
on 11/10/10 12:09 am - TX

As soon as I went over my half marathon point in my training, my right shin has hurt like heck! My marathon is Dec. 5th. I'm schedule to run my longest point this Saturday (20 miles). I've managed to run through the pain. 

 I swapped one day of running for a cross training day to help heal my shin. I'm icing it after every run, massage, stretching it, purchased calf compression sleeves, bought new shoes (was fitted for them), took my runs indoors for the most part, and my husband has even taped my legs (took sport med classes in college). Oh and I'm also taking pain meds to reduce inflammation after wards and taking Tylenol while running.

I was really hoping to enjoy my runs, but I'm beginning to think pain management will be my focus. I'm not willing to stop here. I've come too far and I'm doing this thing. I was just wondering if anyone had anymore advice and any experiences like mine.
 
My training begins to taper off after this week so I'm praying my shin will heal enough and in time for the marathon. I feel like I have NO shock absorbency on my right leg. It does feel a tad bit better the longer I run, but it still hurts. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Seht
on 11/10/10 12:59 am
Rest, Kinesio tape, compression socks, massage roller or similar item to target the troubled area and a foam roller for the rest of the leg.

Gentle stretching and massage as well. 
All of those things have helped me at one point or another.
Unfortunately once I had an issue with shin splints, I have never been able to completely rid myself of them.  Once the mileage increases, they come back.

Which actually may mean that I'm not running properly, but that's another topic.

Scott

The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!

bandhope
on 11/10/10 1:50 am - TX
I'll look into the rollers you suggested. Thanks!

I was thinking my stride isn't big enough, but it is very painful to stretch into a bigger/longer stride. It's sort of depressing! I guess after the marathon, I will need to stick to half marathons. Darn!

Thanks again for the great suggestions! Best wishes to you.
mcarthur01
on 11/10/10 2:08 am - Cumming, GA
sorry, no advice on shin splints unfortunately.  but my first half last year was all about pain management as well.  i took rapid-release tylenol gel tabs right before the race, used a ton of icy-hot and was ok for the race.  good luck, i like your determination.
Where are we going??  And why am I in this handbasket??

right now.  somewhere.  somebody is working harder than you.

bandhope
on 11/10/10 2:40 am - TX
Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement. Did you use icy-hot the day of?
Rob S.
on 11/10/10 8:03 am - DE
You might want to try BioFreeze.  It is a marathoner favorite for shin and knee pain.  Also if you have a chiropractor available, I would look into some quick therapy.  Good luck on the marathon, hope that heal before you start.  Pain only gets worse as you add on miles.
Rob
bandhope
on 11/10/10 11:14 pm - TX
Thank you! I will check that out.
MacMadame
on 11/10/10 11:50 pm - Northern, CA
Make sure it's just shin splints too. A friend of mine was complaining about shin splits for a month, did everything mentioned here, none of it worked so finally went to the doctor. She didn't actually have shin splints but a stress fracture in her tibia!

Now, most likely that's not your issue, but if you do have a stress fracture, continuing to walk and train on it will give you a real fracture. (Which actually happened to my friend because she walked on her boot without the crutches because crutches are such a pain. She's kind of stubborn sometimes!)

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bandhope
on 11/11/10 1:17 am - TX
Yikes! I'm paying close attention to it. Thanks.
MacMadame
on 11/11/10 10:34 am - Northern, CA
Yeah, it's probably nothing but shin splints, but sometimes we endurance athletes can be kind of "I'm a bad-ass and I'll live with the pain" past the point where it's sensible.

HW - 225 SW - 191 GW - 132 CW - 122
Visit my blog at Fatty Fights Back      Become a Fan on Facebook!
Starting BMI 40-ish or less? Join the LightWeights

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