I had diagnosed shin splints when I started running 10 years ago. I had it in both legs and believe it was because I was doing too much. I found that the skipping I was doing in my kick boxing class made it 10 times worse. I ended up having acupuncture which did help and also I had to get orthotics made as I overpronated (or something like that).
I have just started the c25k again years after stopping but am sticking to the programme this time and not overdoing it and am feeling great. It is very easy to get a bit too enthusiastic when you first start out, you have to take things slowly until your body can cope with the strains you are putting on it.
Sonia