Hi all,

My name is Ken (dont ask about Yoshua as a name!) I am 23 and have started running again.

Now I know your probably thinking... "Again?" "Back from the dead in the title at 23?"

Well from college I joined the marines and had an accident and as a result broke my back. After the whole "you wont walk again" thing I did and now I am at a stage where I can play football etc but obviously my fitness isnt there now.

I have started running and I am facing problems I have never faced before which I will go in to and hopefully YOU can help me!

I am currently running a single mile just to get in to it and let my body adjust to the stress and strains but I am finding this single problem to be a right pain!

When I start out after a very short time I have an ache type pain in the front of my shins. Now I know about shin splints as some lads had them in training, I was lucky enough not to and I know they can be very painful. It isnt the type of pain that makes me want to stop I can get through it but it is a strange pain. It almost feels as if my fib and tib are going to break under the pressure of running (obviously they wont but it feels like this).

I try to run light from heel to toe to lessen the strain and keep my legs from getting tired but it still hits me.

Also Stretching...... Before AND afterwards?

Any suggestions would be great. Also for anyone with a medical/physio background for reference I do have Ankylosing Spondylitis, although I dont think this is the cause of my shins aching.

Thanks

K

Oooh a fellow 'youngster'!

I'll apologise in advance for my lack of advice in relation to your question, I simply don't have the knowledge to give any accurate advice but would obviously suggest you make sure you have the appropriate running shoes... people have mixed views on stretching so do what you feel works for you.

Lastly, good luck, and welcome (again) to the world of running/fitness

Hi Ken,

welcome to the forum, very impressive to be running after breaking your back! - Have you tried running on different surfaces to see if the pain is the same, I'm assuming that you are running on the road.

Also, have you got a decent pair of running trainers ? - they make a huge difference with cushioning etc.

Hope you get it sorted and keep on running.

All the best.

Welcome Ken

They are all a lovely helpful bunch around here, i am too newish to this running stuff so i will leave your post to an expert.

good luck and Welcome

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Are we there Yet

Hi all. Thanks for a very welcoming response from you all!

I will add some more information that maye help. I dont think the leg pain is related to my back injury in anyway. I have some brand spanking new Asic running trainers that I research in to and tried before I bought.

I run on road and on a treadmill at the moment (I find the treadmill really tough).

I have a theory of my own after reading a few posts on different Forums, I have read in to running a small amount and noticed most long distance runners run from heel to toe and I think I am trying to adopt this yet thinking back I have always run on the middle of my foot. Maybe this could have a tiring effect on my calves/shins?

Thanks all!!

Ken

I should have added earlier, your best bet I'm sure would be to see a physio ASAP just to check things out, when you got the trainers, did you get them from a specialist running shop as they provide or can provide a gait anaylsis for you as well.

Maybe a bit overkill but as you are just starting off, better safe than sorry.

You are totally right mate. Where can I find a specialist running shop? Any in Yorkshire? I currently have Asics Gel 1120.

They feel comfortable which I feel is the main factor to buying a trainer.

Depending on your style of running, certain trainers fit / suit better than others. although feeling comfortable is indeed a factor it's not the same as being the best trainer for you.

Google 'Specialist running shop Yorkshire', brings back loads but being down South means nothing to me at all.

Good luck.

Where abouts are you in Yorkshire. Up & Running have shops in Huddersfield, Harrogate, Headingly, Wakefield and York. I believe they all have gait analysis machines and experienced running staff to advise you. If you go to any of them, take a pair of your old shoes with you so that they can have a look at the wear pattern.
Cheers!

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Give me the hills!

Hi Ken

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your running.

TT

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A loser is not the one who runs last in the race. It's the one who sits and watches and who has never tried to run.
Bird in Boots Oh what have I done FLM09

Welcome Ken

Well done on overcoming the accident.

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If you and a friend are in the forest and a bear appears, try to run faster than the bear! But at least run faster than your friend...

Thanks Fulmar,

I am having a bit of an issue with slight ache in my right knee after I have Started running again. Did about 2 miles last night and afterwards my knee was achey (no majorly). Should I just rest off alittle?

I went to Up And Running in Darlington where the guys put me on a treadmill and filmed my running style (gait analysis). I discovered that I had ankles that rolled inwards and this was the problem. they fitted me with good supportive shoes and the improvement and recovery was almost immediate. Good luck with your running and your story is fascinating.

Thanks Rob, that really means alot. I will look in to a running centre near me and experience the Gait Analysis.

Thanks and keep in touch.