I second the shoe suggestion. I have flat pronated feet and get both shin splints and knee problems if I run in the wrong shoes.

If you need to avoid pavement to keep from getting injured then you have some issues that should be addressed before training for a marathon.

Soft surfaces like grass, trails, and cushy running shoes do a good job of treating the symptoms of shin splints, but the real cause is a problem with your form. Shin splints are bruises on your tibia where the muscles on the front of your shins attach. They are caused by the shock of your feet striking the ground when you run. It is possible to reduce this shock by modifying your stride so you land more on your midfoot and less on your heels. This will allow your foot to pronate or roll in and absorb some of the shock. Try increasing your stride rate (the number of steps you take per minute) which will help shorten your stride.One hundred eighty steps per minute is a good long term goal. A faster stride rate will seem awkward and incredibly fast at first, but eventually it will start to feel normal (it took me an entire summer).

For more info on improving your form, check out the book Programmed to Run[/URL" target="_blank"> by Thomas Miller. He offers a great description of what good form is and includes numerous drills and exercises to help you achieve it.

Tom

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I second what figbash said. I made the transition from heel striking to forefoot/midfoot striking, changed to smaller, lighter, less cushiony shoes, and my extremely painful shin splints went away. If you ARE a heel striker and decide to change your form, do so slowly as your body (mainly achilles & calves for me) will need time to adjust.

http://This message has been edited by RacingThoughts (edited Jun-26-2007).