Tight shin pain

Question
Hi John,

I'm 27 years old and am having some pain while running.  I've never been a big runner but have always been active some other way; hiking, hockey, ultimate frisbee.  I currently don't run very far, about 2.5 miles.  But by the half way point the outer portion of my lower legs from the knee all the way through the ankle hurt quite a bit.  Its not a sharp pain but a tight pressure pain.  It feels like if I don't keep moving my legs will eventually just freeze up and stop moving.  Any ideas on what is going on and what I can do to help this? The main reason I don't run further is because of this pain.  I normally run on a paved path, I've tried grass but it didn't seem to make a difference.  Thanks, in advance.

Answer
Hi Chris
You have shin splints which is quite normal for some one who doesn't run a lot or just starting up.It will go away in time,but to expedite it ice them as often as you can and add 500mg vit c with your 3 meals a day to enhance recovery of tendons,tissue,collagen.Just be patient as your shins strengthen and heal.

All the best

John