My shin splint - prelude to the BMC 4k

So, I have this very local, acute pain just on the inside of my left shin.

On Thursday I saw a guy called Baz who has a wide range of experience and techniques at his disposal, and he spent a long time looking at my overall body and leg alignment etc etc. I guess that is all relevant, and he gave me some exercises to do to try and improve things for the long term.

Then he got going on trying to loosen things up in my calf and it rather hurt I must say. Not as much as when my little boy whacked me on the offending area, but it hurt nevertheless. I wondered if I would feel bruised the next day but no, even after having most of his 13 stone directed into my calf through his knees, or elbows, or whatever it was - I couldn’t really tell as I was too busy being in agony.

My running is way, way down because of this problem and it is all rather depressing really. I think I will really ease off on things, and maybe even drive to the downs and find soft places to run. However, if I can do some races now and again, I will just take some Ibuprofen and get stuck in.

Update on Tuesday, 2 December, 2008 by Mike

A very experienced and successful running friend of mine sent me a message about shin splints that I thought it would be interesting to post here.  It goes like this:

Both my running books, circa1983, recommend rest. Trying to “run thro’ it” can give stress fracture. Ice and elevation and alternate hot/cold compress are advised to help aid recovery running should resume on soft level surface. I have found that walking helps with recovery from injury. Steer clear of races/interval training until you have built your training back  to where you were before the injury. The suspension will remain fragile long after the engine is ready 4full revs!

Depressing, but at least affirms there is no point living in denial - just stop running.