Newbie Question - Shin Pain

In article said:

I started alternating between running and cycling to
try to give the shins a rest but that doesn't seem to make any difference. My
shoes are new and appropriate for my stride, I stretch prior to jogging, I jog
with relaxed lower legs, I make sure I'm well hydrated, etc. I just can't seem
to find any correlation between the pain and anything in particular. I can
bring this on faster by lifting my toes and forefoot in an exaggerated fashion
to try to get a good roll from heel strike to push off. After doing some
reading and other research I've wondered if I have shin splints, compartment
syndrome, weak shin muscles, poor form, or just bad luck.
Anyone else experience this sort of thing? Any ideas?
All constructive input is welcomed. Thanks in advance for any posts in
response.

-Rob (from Hoosierville)

If you're landing on the back of the heel of the shoe, that most likely
would be an overstride. An overstride for me means that every step is a
deceleration. To get the center of gravity over the front foot, one must
lift the body up. If one is used to clawing, toes dig into the ground.

To see what I mean:
Stand up and lean over and place your fingers on the front shin muscle. If
you go back slightly so that your weight begins to go on your heel, you'll
feel that front shin muscle contract.

Now if your place the weight onto the balls of the feet,
put your fingers on the front shins the muscles are relaxed.
Now if you keep your weight on the balls of the feet, and start to go back
onto the heels but keeping the weight on the ball of the foot, at a certain
point the shin muscles you're touching tighten.

First thing to do when running is to imagine you have no toes. That allows
the foot to roll and not claw with the toes and have to strain to get the
center of gravity over the front foot.

To see what I mean about clawing, stand straight with your feet a few inches
apart and straight ahead. Now slowly lean forward as far as you can. At a
certain point you'll feel your toes dig into the ground to keep you from
falling forward.

Now if you had no toes, you get the idea. The body would fall forward and
you'd learn to catch yourself gracefully with each foot fall.

Part of the problem may be that your calves are tight and your front shin
muscle agonist) is having to work double time. You use it as you swing the
leg forward. But because the opposite muscle (antagonist), the calves may
not be able to relax fully, the shin muscle has to pull against a semi
relaxed calf muscle in addition to lifting the foot, which is all it's
suppose to be doing.

The slapping down of the foot would be similar to a mouse trap. You land on
the back of the heel of the shoe. The shin muscle which is tight can only
partially relax, so the weight of the body coming down strains the front of
the shin muscle so it lets go unwillingly and most likely strains the tendon
which takes some of the stretch.

In health and on the run,
Ozzie Gontang
Director, San Diego Marathon Clinic, est. 1975
Maintainer - rec.running FAQ
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/running-faq/
Mindful Running:
http://www.mindfulness.com/mr.asp

Number #1 cause of shin pain for newbies- not running in fitted, new
running shoes. Visit favorite running store for a proper fit.

Number #2 cause is runing on hard surfaces. Stay off of concrete and stone,
and perhaps asphalt.

(rick++) said:

Number #1 cause of shin pain for newbies- not running in fitted, new
running shoes. Visit favorite running store for a proper fit.

Number #2 cause is runing on hard surfaces. Stay off of concrete and stone,
and perhaps asphalt.

Rick,
Lets put our cards on the table. You ARE a idiot, are you not?