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Click to view Susmita's profile Amateur 9 posts since
Jan 23, 2007
15. Jan 26, 2007 4:33 PM in response to: DavidGreen2
For superburt -- I don't know how you can run through the pain. I iced and elevated, plus Celebrex, but the pain, when I have it, is SO bad that I can barely walk, much less run.
Click to view Caren Jew's profile Amateur 25 posts since
Sep 10, 2006
17. Jan 27, 2007 7:28 PM in response to: DavidGreen2
I'd be very careful with running through shin splints. I developed them after 3 months of great marathon training, then stupidly did a speed workout (having not done any for a month or so) about 2 weeks before my marathon. I ran the marathon, only felt the shin splints for the first 3 miles or so, but a week after the marathon in a very hilly X-C race I couldn't walk without throbbing pain in my shin. Diagnosis: stress fracture after running through shin splints. Ice, ibuprofen and rest for 4 weeks and I was back again, and ran a trail marathon 3 months later. Everyone's different, but I'd be as conservative as possible.
Click to view Caren Jew's profile Amateur 25 posts since
Sep 10, 2006
19. Jan 28, 2007 10:49 AM in response to: DavidGreen2
David,

I ran the marathon with shin splints and probably would have been okay if I took more than a week off afterwards (like at least two, better yet three), but I raced a tough cross country 8k a week later. Big mistake. That's when I got the stress fracture. I knew going into the marathon that I had the shin splints and loaded up on Advil and they didn't bother me at all after three miles. You may want to take it easy until your half. And consider ice your best friend whenever you do run. It sounds like you may just have shin splints - I have a pretty high tolerance for pain but there is no way I could run on a stress fracture. You'll know it if you have one.
Click to view josephdh's profile Rookie 1 posts since
Jun 9, 2004
20. Jan 28, 2007 2:00 PM in response to: DavidGreen2
I've been running through shin splints for the last three years. This fall I ended up with a stress fracture. I took three months off and felt great, but two weeks into training again for spring marathons I have that pain in my inner shin that the original poster described. But I've decided to ignore it and push through. While I'm sure that the pain precedes a stress fracture, it doesn't always. Run on soft surfaces, stretch religiously, and hope for the best. We don't run because it's the safest sport - we run because we like the feel of it.
Click to view runninlaw's profile Legend 989 posts since
Mar 13, 2006
21. Jan 28, 2007 7:33 PM in response to: DavidGreen2
Have you considered that you may need a new pair of shoes? You said you are happy with the shoes you have, but perhaps it is time to replace them?

I just got my first horrendous case of shin splints in my right leg 2 weeks ago. It was caused by me trying new types of shoes. I clearly did not have enough motion control or something. Switched back to my old shoes and viola! The pain is now gone.

As far as stress fracture v. shin splints go, I read a lot about it and it said that if the pain feels more horizontal along your leg than vertical, it is probably a fracture. I disagree with the poster that said if the pain goes away while running it is not shin splints. Mine would definitely get progressively worse as I ran, but it was only a shin splint, not a fracture.

Good luck to you.
Click to view SoleSurvivor049's profile Amateur 21 posts since
Jan 15, 2007
23. Jan 29, 2007 8:13 AM in response to: DavidGreen2
Dave,

Glad to hear you are doing well. I think you have done the prudent thing by taking the time off. That helped me tremendously. When I took a week off earlier this month, it did wonders for my shins as well as body as a whole.

I did 13.3 Saturday an felt like I could have done more. I took yesterday off, which is my rule since developing shin splints in Nov. A complete rest day following any hard workout.

Keep up the icing and stretching and if you can the strengthening exercises. They really work!
Click to view Caren Jew's profile Amateur 25 posts since
Sep 10, 2006
24. Jan 29, 2007 11:49 AM in response to: DavidGreen2
Glad to hear you're doing well. Best of luck on your half!