Millions,
So yes. My shins hurt. Bad. I recognize them as the shooting annoyance/agony of the shin splint. Is there a cure for what ails me or are shin splints, like the common cold, one of medical science’s more embarrassing brain farts?
I ran cross country for four years and got through shin splints with a combination of stretching, icing, rest, and guts. Here’s the formula:
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Before each workout, do a .5mi warmup run, then stretch. Stand on a curb or stair and do toe raises. If you have a workout partner, sit down with your legs extended, and have your partner push your toes toward you while you strain to point them down for a ten count. Have him push down on the top of your feet (pointing your toes) while you try to pull them up again for a ten count.
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Run! Wear a shoe with good arch support.
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When you get back, stretch down again, and do the same exercise as above for a warm-down. If your shins hurt, ice them for at least 20 minutes immediately after stretching. We used an icy whirlpool bath; you can use ice or a bag of peas or whatever works for you.
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The day before a race/major workout, take a light day, and concentrate on extra stretching. Don’t be afraid to cut this light workout a little short.
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Rest the day after a major workout: this means no running!
Good luck.
Excellent advice from Jurph. If the arch supports and other things don’t help, then go see a podiatrist, preferable one who treats athletes. You may pronate, and often orthotics will make a big difference.
When I started running many years ago, had shin splints and ignored them, but then my knees began to hurt. When a podiatrist took casts for orthotics and I used them, not only did the knees get better, but the shin splints disappeared. I use them in all my shoes now.