General

Pain from forefoot running

Having recently started running again, I now have to give it up again to let my shins heal. I finally purchased a pair of Newton Stability running shoes. But after running for 20 minutes in them, my shins and lower leg are in really bad way. It seems the switch to forefoot running put a massive amount of strain on my shins.

Forefoot running

First track session in ages on Monday, we were working on lots of forefoot and mid-foot running - with a number of drills that included running barefoot. It's pretty enlightening to see how you naturally land on your fore foot with no shoes on, it is as if your body naturally knows not to land on your heels and avoid the impact. I tried on someones Newtons, which are designed specifically for forefoot and mid-foot running. And ... i don't want to get too excited as I've been here before with my Mizuno Inspires with orthotics, but i couldn't really feel the jarring on my shins when i run, so I'm thinking about buying a pair approx £120 (ouch). But at this stage i would pay £1200 if it meant i wouldn't get shin splints. I'll keep you posted, and no doubt give a review of my Newtons.

Shin splints back with a vengance

I have really bad shin splints, again! no wonder really after taking part in a race I shouldn't have. I had been sensibly building up by 1 minute each time i ran and was at around 18 minutes, and managing my shin problem pretty well. But this weekend i was part of team Duathlon event - the first Monster in Inverness. A team of 4 where you all have a bike leg and all do a run section. I had a 9k run with a 3k hill in the middle - and needless to say it took me more than 18 minutes, so i was running for 54 minutes, which is shouldn't have done, clearly overloading.

Oh well, its done now, and will just have to manage with Ice and massage and exercises.

Duathlon on Saturday

I've not run for a couple of weeks - and I have a team Duathlon, on Saturday that i cant really get out of. Oh dear, hopefully all the swimming I've been doing will stand me in good stead for base fitness. My section is a 10k hill run followed by a 30k mountain bike section. You can have a look here  http://www.firstmonster.co.uk/index.php Its a 120k team race round Loch Ness, it is a stunning race as most of it is off road on forest tracks - I'll report back how my shins hold up on the run section. I'm going against all my own good advice and will be definitely overloading, as the longest I've ran all summer was a 5k. Oh well - cant let my team mates down :-)