Shin Splints
When I first started working out, it was to get back into shape. I started in mid September I think. And so far everything is going great! I give my workout partner tons of credit. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. She’s giving me the motivation I needed when I didn’t feel like working out as well as that extra push to make myself do better. And now when I work out…. it’s to transform my entire body- Lose body fat and have killer muscles 
At first, our workouts just about killed me. I couldn’t even do a wall sit for a straight minute without taking a break every 15 seconds! Now I can hold it for up to two minutes with a 35 lb. plate on my lap I’ve made some MAJOR progress along the way. I can remember when I first started and I did one armed rows for the first time. I’m pretty sure I only used 15 lbs. at the time. I used to hate one armed rows… but they are starting to grow on me. I can finally use 35 lbs. when I do them.
I can tell a major difference in my body. I’ve lost weight but gained muscle. And I officially HATE scales… they don’t work to my advantage at all anymore. And you know what? That doesn’t bother me. But now is the time I wish I had a camera that worked. I would have loved to take pictures of my body back in September and compare them to how I look now.
Sometime towards the end of September I ended up with shin splints. I was never a runner. But when I first started working out, my partner convinced me I needed to do cardio and I should try running. I knew this was asking a lot because I couldn’t even run 3 minutes on a treadmill!!! But I pushed myself to do it. My first time running with her, I ran for 10 min… but I took a little break after 5 min. Then as the week went on, she added more time to our daily jog. After about a week and a half to two weeks I could run for about 17 min. straight. I was proud of myself. That was a HUGE improvement for me! And it only took about two weeks! My body felt great. My midsection was slimming down. Running was relaxing instead of torture! Then one day on the treadmill my shins felt like they were going to break. Turns out I ended up with shin splints. =/
So I took some time off from running. October came and went and my shins still hurt. October wasn’t my best month either… I felt like I barely worked out. I noticed a change in my body yet again…. I started packing on more weight around my waist again and I was very unhappy with this. I still try running every now and then. But my shoes are old and my shins still hurt. So I have to replace one or the other. I figured it would be easier to go ahead and get new shoes. haha I really can’t wait till I can run again. It really made a difference.
I know with a good clean diet as well as the working out will get me the 6 pack that I want. I just feel like running would be an even bigger advantage and a faster way to the 6 pack I desire…. That and I really really miss it!
December 11, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I’m definitely no expert .. but I’m certain that I read somewhere that stretching properly before running can eliminate the chance of shin splints … try googling for "preventing shin splints" … I got them pretty bad a while back and found the stretches really helped heal them faster …
December 11, 2008 at 1:43 pm
i use to have bad shin slints 5 years ago. after running my legs would shake, i was in alot of pain. i took a good three years off from running, i started running about a year ago and my shins still hurt ( just not as bad).i would say buy really good running shoes(nike shoxs helped me , felt like i was running on clouds) and do less high impact cardio.good luck
December 11, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Shin split is the muscle pulling away from the bone, if they progress and get worse you increase the chance and they can actually fracture your leg. Solution try the rice method google it. It works I did track and field hardcore as a decathlete for 6 years I’ve had them treated them and helped others. First off simple things to do to help strengthen the muscles around the shins, Toe walks, heel walks take the squat bar and rock back and forth from heel to toe. Stretch Dynamic stretching before running and static stretching after workout. Google the two terns they are completely different but nessecary. You can rub out shin splints which form as little knots that will slightly cut off blood circulation to the muscle thus you feel have pain becuase for one the muscle is pulling away from the bone and two you will lose power in your lower legs. Take an ice cube and a bowl of boiling hot hater, take the ice cube run it along the shin bone for 2-3 minutes then take a cloth soak in hot water drain wait till toleratable then apply heat along the shin where pain is most present 2-3 minutes repeat 3 to 5 times on each leg each night, see shin splints start to disapear by night two, also you can rub out the knot with the ice cube. The cold make the pain easier to tolerate
December 11, 2008 at 4:10 pm
thank you guys! everyone has helped. i’ve iced them a bit and i talked to a guy who does personal training and he said to do the heel walks to make it stronger. so i’ve been walking around the house doing that. and a BIG thanks to speedymonkey!!! you gave me soooo much info! i’ll be sure to try them out