Shin pain only while running

[treadmill_hamster]

I am an avid inline skater. But being in Seoul during winter has forced me onto a treadmill at the gym. I run 40 minutes not counting warm up and warm down. The problem is that I need to stop running every few minutes due to shin pain. It feels like shin splints at the time but the pain goes away right after I stop running. Do you think this is just due to switching from skating to running? Should I run everyday or every other day? The 40 minutes is not difficult for me other than the shin pain. I am 42 years old and 6'1" 200. Thanks for listening.

[JamesTX]

You need to take it easy until the pain goes away. Your body is telling you something. Different activities use different muscles and the muscles you need for running obviously were not utilized as much in skating. Try walking at a high incline to get your heart going without killing your legs. Ease into running again after the pain goes away but take it slow.

[treadmill_hamster]

But the discomfot is only while running. It immediately goes away when I stop running for a second.

Satuurday, I went on a 50 minute run on the streets. I didnt have any shin pain. Is this strange or what!?

[Bennuendo]

But the discomfot is only while running. It immediately goes away when I stop running for a second.

Satuurday, I went on a 50 minute run on the streets. I didnt have any shin pain. Is this strange or what!?

My guess is that your lower leg muscles aren't use to being used so much in that way (running). They may be building up lactic acid and you'll feel a burn until you stop using them for a while. I wouldn't push through it for too long, but if you can finish your workout then go for it. And when you go home it doesn't hurt to ice them and make sure that you're getting enough rest.

After a while those muscles will get use to it and you should be able to run without discomfort, but don't overdo it.

[Aging cheerleader]

Treadmill Hamster. I'm so excited, not that you have this problem, but that I found your post. I have the same exact problem. I just ran a 5k this past Saturday and had so much pain until about 1.5 miles then my legs warmed up and I could run so much better. I'm very athletic but running has never been my strong suit. But, I enjoy doing it for my health and figure. It's just frustrating that I have this pain, and every time I try to find something online it will tell me it's tight calf muscles and weak shin muscles. Let me assure you that is NOT the case. I'm freakishly limber (at 44 years old) and I'm very muscular. PLEASE let me know if you get any kind of good advice on this. I enjoy the social part of running 5k/10k's for fund raisers etc, and the active lifestyle. Good luck,

[Bennuendo]

Treadmill Hamster. I'm so excited, not that you have this problem, but that I found your post. I have the same exact problem. I just ran a 5k this past Saturday and had so much pain until about 1.5 miles then my legs warmed up and I could run so much better. I'm very athletic but running has never been my strong suit. But, I enjoy doing it for my health and figure. It's just frustrating that I have this pain, and every time I try to find something online it will tell me it's tight calf muscles and weak shin muscles. Let me assure you that is NOT the case. I'm freakishly limber (at 44 years old) and I'm very muscular. PLEASE let me know if you get any kind of good advice on this. I enjoy the social part of running 5k/10k's for fund raisers etc, and the active lifestyle. Good luck,

You may have solved your own problem with how you typed it out.. it took you 1.5 miles and then your legs were "warmed up" What do you do to warm up before your runs? Could possibly be that you aren't warmed up enough and the blood isn't flowing to your legs how it should be.. but once you get going far enough everything's fine.. blood's circulating just fine to your legs, muscles are warmed up and you're ready to go.

There are also different types of muscle fibers.. some for endurance and some for short bursts.. so a lot of people suggesting that your shin muscles are weak may not be completely accurate..

[Fitness Treadmills]

perhaps without even realizing it you are planting your feet differently on the treadmill than you do when running outside. Ive seen a number of posts about this on the several running sites that I visit. No one seems to have any specific answer to the problem though.

[Runpals]

I am an avid inline skater. But being in Seoul during winter has forced me onto a treadmill at the gym. I run 40 minutes not counting warm up and warm down. The problem is that I need to stop running every few minutes due to shin pain. It feels like shin splints at the time but the pain goes away right after I stop running. Do you think this is just due to switching from skating to running? Should I run everyday or every other day? The 40 minutes is not difficult for me other than the shin pain. I am 42 years old and 6'1" 200. Thanks for listening.

Hey treadmill hamster, sounds like you may indeed have running shin splints (http://www.runpals.com/running-shin-splints.html). You are running at a very aggressive rate, and the muscles are likely inflamed.

Best advice is listen to your body and take it easy. Allow the inflamed muscles to heal. You can speed up your recovery by taking anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and icing the area for 15 minutes after your workout.

Try mixing up your cardio at the gym. Running cross training (http://www.runpals.com/running-cross-training.html) (like biking or swimming) allow you to keep the metabolism high, while working out different muscles.

Get more tips on avoiding running shin splints (http://www.runpals.com/running-shin-splints.html) at RunPals, and you should feel better in no time.

Good luck, and healthy running.