Running advice needed

[BUHDDIE]

I've always had well above average fitness levels, but the sports and training I am used to do have generally been 'low impact'.
For the past six months I have dedicated my time to running (for obvious reasons), but after very long runs I suffer below the knee in the calf/shin area because i'm not used to so much 'high impact' sports.

Whilst I grit my teath + put up with it, and am concentrating on building the muscle up in that area, I was wondering if anyones got any advice for prevention or any good tips on building muscle (quick results needed) in this area - maybe they have suffered the same problem?

Need to get this sorted, cus aerobically + mentally i'm sound - just this problem in my one leg and its fecking winding me up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks

[son_of_scotland]

To be honest mate sounds like shin splints and if thats the case, there is not quick result. I m not a physio but i know you need to be careful of this because if it developes, it is hard to shake off. I think 7 weeks ???

In the meantime, probably just try and run on soft surfaces if possible ?

Good luck

[Slivovitz]

Sounds like shin splints. I have the same problem.
Fill up a couple o' dixie cups (small plastic cups) with water, stick 'em in the freezer; once the water's solidified, tear about half o' the cup off, and rub the icey part on the inside/front/outside (all on the bone) of your shin for 5 minutes. Most importantly, make sure to apply it to the area that hurts most. Helps me a lot.
Cheers,
Will

[BUHDDIE]

Didn't realise it had a name. Looked into it briefly just now on the www, seems its a common problem. Thanks lads for pointing me in the right direction.

Is this a problem I will always have? Or with building up muscle + training will eventually go away?

[Digitalfreefall]

It comes and goes mate, try running on a surface with a bit of give to it ie turf or soil if you have no choice but to do a road runner get yourself the right trainers and the most important thing is to develop a lighter stride when running, run dont stomp :D I find using tubigrips (those elasticy tube things ) on my shin area helps to dull the pain.
Try to imagine your shins as a wooden ice pole stick, when you put to much pressure on it it bends then splints, there is alot of weight being displaced on your shins when running, so softly softly catchee monkey.

[canard]

Info:
http://www.watfxc.com/TF/TF%20Education/shin_splints.htm

Prevention:
http://run-down.com/tips/tips3.php:)

[canard]

so softly softly catchee monkey.
:D

Silent running is a good exercise!

[Mise]

To be honest mate sounds like shin splints and if thats the case, there is not quick result. I m not a physio but i know you need to be careful of this because if it developes, it is hard to shake off. I think 7 weeks ???

In the meantime, probably just try and run on soft surfaces if possible ?

Good luck

Shin Splints, I go to a Sports Injury Therapist occasionally. Her cure for Shin Splints is to 'pull' the shin muscle off the shin with the fingertips, hurts like feck, but works.

[K9-]

:D

Silent running is a good exercise!

especially when it's done on toes!!:)

[Stoeng]

Aghh Mein Gott !!

Every month in 1 REC we used to have this regimental running thing (cross regimentaire) and our company (Escadron) Commander Captain T (a Russian guy) used to give the best possible running advice:

Start Fast (really fast), accelerate in the middle and sprint in the end. If you follow this, everything will be OK.

[BUHDDIE]

[QUOTE=Start Fast (really fast), accelerate in the middle and sprint in the end. If you follow this, everything will be OK.[/QUOTE]

.........:D ...........

I enjoy running more than anything (well, not everything:D ), its frustrating when a part of your body can't keep pace with the rest!

How long were these monthly regimental runs? Half marathon, longer? Or just until Captain T says finish?

[Stoeng]

.........:D ...........

I enjoy running more than anything (well, not everything:D ), its frustrating when a part of your body can't keep pace with the rest!

How long were these monthly regimental runs? Half marathon, longer? Or just until Captain T says finish?

No a regimental run is usually between 10 to 12km

[BUHDDIE]

10 to 12km

I'm still working in miles, I am aiming at being able to do 10mile/16km at the drop of a hat, at a fast, steady pace. Judging by what i've read so far on the forum I think this is a reasonable level to accomplish for the Legion.

I'm glad to be enjoying it now, not sure what its like with a couple of caporals chasin you up a mountain! I've been told its best not to come either first and definitely not last, but just to stay with the front pack and do your best.

[Slivovitz]

I neglected to mention, stretch. I prefer to stretch after the workout, cuz high intensity stretching wears yer muscles out. Stretching is important for all runners, runners with shin splints especially. This ties into the whole 'run light' thing. If your stride is crap, you're more liable to run around flat/heavy-footed, which causes problems.
Cheers,
Will

[BUHDDIE]

Thanks Will, i've started using a running machine over the past couple of days at my gym, the mirrors and the fact you don't have to concentrate on where you're running help with improving technique.

The softly softly approach has also been helpful. In fact i've been doing it everywhere, not just running - its great fun, though my lady is getting pissed off with me sneaking around the house and slapping her arse every five mins:D

Hopefully all this advice will see me straight for the future. Thank you all.

[steve]

i like the running machine to work soley on heart and lungs.im looking at getting my tabbing started over the next week or so.just build my self back up to speed so to speak.i found a good running track thats not to far from my house and getting down there to work on speed and some endurance running.just have to watch out for injuries,they can set you back.stretching/warm up and warm down and stretch off properly.you could save your self a lot of pain and time getting over injuries.good luck bro..

[BUHDDIE]

Thanks steve,

because i've got no military experience (yet) i'm glad you bought tabbing up, could do with some pointers on where to start - how heavy my pack should be, good distances to start with and good times to be achieving. I live in ideal terrain for tabbing (welsh/english border) and have a fair idea about stuff, but some inside knowledge from a man with eight years in Black Watch would be a ferking bonus. Anybody else with some good tabbing tips let me know. Thanks all...

[canard]

Bhuddie, can I ask you which branch of the forces you are applying for?:)

[BUHDDIE]

Royal Navy

[hannibal]

....sprint in the end .... everything will be OK.

Yes, that is if you "survive" the "acceleration part". :D

[vegas]

any sign of shin splints or stress fractures, (which could have been avoided) stop running for like a week or so to let it heal.

Beginning runners should build the mileage up gradually week by week. After the second or third week take a whole week off. Then continue and build up your mileage weekly. After 18th or so week you should be running around six miles per day or so and about thirty miles a week (with a pack). After this stick at six miles a day and start lowering your run times.

[steve]

you mentioned tabbing,watch how you pack your weight.you dont want all the weight at the base of your back,you will cripple your self.try and spread the weight evenly.i use the large coke like bottles(plastic) filled with water.they mould into the shape of your back and give you equal preasure and the weight is spread well.try differant methods of packing until you work out whats good for you.dont kick the arse out of the distance,its a little bit differant running with weight.on top of that if you have any problems with knees or shin spints take it easy as it is hard impct and hard on the knees.try bandageing or taping your knees to give them support.good luck man..

[Eagle eye]

you mentioned tabbing,watch how you pack your weight.you dont want all the weight at the base of your back,you will cripple your self.try and spread the weight evenly.i use the large coke like bottles(plastic) filled with water.they mould into the shape of your back and give you equal preasure and the weight is spread well.try differant methods of packing until you work out whats good for you.dont kick the arse out of the distance,its a little bit differant running with weight.on top of that if you have any problems with knees or shin spints take it easy as it is hard impct and hard on the knees.try bandageing or taping your knees to give them support.good luck man.....You wouldn't have too much trouble in tabbing with your 8 years Brit Army experience...your challenge will be more to do with the military cultural/mayhem and linguistic expression than physical effort....so think carefully....

.....Learn your ferking French if you're going to....

[steve]

if you had read the earlier posts from buhddie (he asked about tabbing-post17?)you will realize what im 'carefully' thinking about.he asked about tabbing and this is me getting back to him.so maybe you should read 'carefully' what you are jumping in on.as for the french im on a course which is going ok so far.ive read a lot and taken a lot of pointers from guys like your self which is most appreciated.im going into this with my eyes open and looking to get all the advice i can get...so all the advice/critisism is noted.i have mentioned to a few guys here how did they get info on the legion(70-80)?i had basic knowledge about the British Army when i joined and knew nothing about any of the regiments and find this site a life line to a new life and new oppertunities for me.so mr eagle i tip my hat to you sir...thanks again..steve..

[The Dude]

[QUOTE=steve]i have mentioned to a few guys here how did they get info on the legion(70-80)?QUOTE]...I don't read long threads like I did in the past and comment on punctual posts moreso nowadays....I went in blind with no expectations and therefore I was never disappointed: I came across the very best and the very worst: from the salt of the earth to the scum of the earth over five years: any difficult situation and personality didn't last an eternity unless I was deemed to keep an early appoitment with my maker such as in Beirut....

[steve]

i just find it amazing thats guys took a leap of faith into the dark during those time(70-80)we are blessed now with information at the drop of a hat and i appreciate all the guys here who are sharing your knowledge and exsperience.i was kind of blind going in to the brit army and thats why im doing all the research i can (and probably nipping afew heads in which i can say sorry now haha)...mr dude...thanks again..steve..