I'm not extremely knowledgable here, so do your research, but here are a few points to consider in your reading:

Anterior shin splints do not take as much time to heal, so I hope that's what it is.  These are on the outside of your shins and from what I've read, are the results of a small muscle growing faster than the sheeth of that muscle... so the outside sheeth is stretched.  HOWEVER, this pain should generally go away within three or four days of resting.  Mine sometimes went away after a single day.  This can be caused (as the prior poster stated) by uphills, concrete running when one is not accustom to it, longer distances than one is accustom to, etc.

The other kind of shin splints are felt in the inside of the leg and are a bit more severe.  As I understand it, the attachment to the bone is beginning to separate and is very irritated.  It will take weeks to grow strong connections.  I've not had this for two decades, so I can't recall it in as much detail.  I don't know all the causes... mine was caused by poor shoes and pounding on hard surfaces when I was not accustom to running at all.

I sure wish you well.

Mark

Rest and see what happens. If it hurts to push on the area with your fingers could be stress fracture. To help prevent shin splints spend a few minutes throughout the day walking on your heels for 20 paces or so.

Here's some great practical things you can do.  One: use ice on your shins immediately after exercise should they flare up.  Two: use a "noodle" roller for self massage by rolling across your shins in an upright sitting position utilizing your body weight to apply downward massaging pressure.  Three:  swith to a recumbant cycling machine until you can run again.  Of couse, this is all preceded by the opinion of a sports related doctor to rule out any serious conditons.

I had self diagnosed "shin splints" for two months.. when I saw the Dr it was actually a stress fracture. See someone....

I've got to agree with Len- I just don't see how running on a softer, more cushioned surface would increase your chance of shin splints, unless there were other factors involved.  I do avoid the treadmill myself, but that's because I have a tendancy to push myself too hard on it, thus increasing my chance of injury.  Plus, its really, really boring! =)

I still worry about how fast you built up your miles though.  While its great that you're in good enough shape to do that kind of milage, your joints, bones and muscles just aren't used to that kind of pounding yet.  I know how tempting it is to bump up your milage more than 10% every week.  There's nothing worse than running 6 miles and stopping when you feel like you could easily run a few more...except for maybe losing a few months of running due to injury.  

Hi, learn to really listen to your body.  I have been running steadily for the last 8 months and have completed 10 5Ks, 1 8K and 1 10K.  I was having some shin pain in October, took it easy for a while and the pain went away.  I ran a race this past Saturday and my leg completely gave out at mile 2.5 and I had to be helped to the finish line by a friend.  I went to the doctor yesterday for x-rays and I'm told I have a stress fracture.  I had been training for the Myrtle Beach half marathon in February and I think I pushed myself too far, too fast, too soon.  Now I have to use crutches for the next 4-6 weeks until it heals.  That is a really big blow to not be able to do something you really love now.