QuestionMs. Donovan,
Hello, how are you?
My question regards shin splints.
Prior to my walking routine I stretch my arms, legs, torso neck and back. I stretch my inner and outer thighs, calves and quads. I rotate my ankles.
My total stretch / warm-up takes approx. 35 minutes, yet I am still getting shin-splints when I walk. Not every time that I walk, but about 50% of the time. Why? It really is disrupting! Especially when I get them prior to getting ready to jog.
Think you can help?
Thanks in advance,
-Bobby
[email protected]
AnswerBobby
Owie-- on the shin pain-that hurts!
I had a friend who was a very competitive race walker and he had the same trouble as you. His shins took so long to warm up that he had to walk slowly for ?hour before every race until his shins were properly warmed up enough to go fast.
I am sure that you know that the shin pain that you are experiencing is most likely due to improperly warmed up shin muscles and that the pain that you are feeling is due to a spasm in the shin muscle ( Anterior Tibialis). Do you notice that at the end of your walk the pain is not there?
The faster you walk the more you will lift your toe to accommodate your speed so a good slow stretch of your calf muscles and shin muscles (hold stretches for at least 30 seconds and repeat) and a slow warm up should help.
Good luck and keep up the good walking!
Sara
