Shin Splints and Twisted Ankles

[O.B.]

To get back in shape, I've started walking/running about 7
miles 5 days per week. I am using New Balance 851 shoes
which are about 4 years old. I have a low arch, a narrow
foot (C), 9.5 US foot size, am 6'0", and weigh 180 lbs.
After about the 4th mile, a problem with shin splits arises
in both legs. In addition, I have been twisting my right
ankle too often. Are the shoes to blame?

I've received recommendations for the Asics GT 2090 and the
Brooks Adrenaline GTS5. Would they be good replacements for
my current shoes?

[Dot]

O.B. wrote:

> To get back in shape, I've started walking/running about 7
> miles 5 days per week. I am using New Balance 851 shoes
> which are about 4 years old. I have a low arch, a narrow
> foot (C), 9.5 US foot size, am 6'0", and weigh 180 lbs.
> After about the 4th mile, a problem with shin splits
> arises in both legs. In addition, I have been twisting my
> right ankle too often. Are the shoes to blame?

Possibly.

But a more likely scenario IMHO may be weak muscles in the
shin area and weak ankles. I'd look at some basic strength
training as well as shoes. Toe raises, heel raises,
proprioception, single-leg balance squats, etc. (I can post
more or you can google for past posts on these. I just
didn't want to repeat what you might already know).

>
> I've received recommendations for the Asics GT 2090 and
> the Brooks Adrenaline GTS5. Would they be good
> replacements for my current shoes?

They're both very common stability shoes that seem to do
quite well for many people. But in addition to asking here,
you might try a real running store (not mall variety), have
them look at the way you run and wear on present shoes.
Hopefully, they can give you good recommendations. If you
can find someone that really understands and can do a full
gait analysis, I think that's the best way to go if you have
any peculiar issues. If no issues like overpronation, then
it might be overkill.

Finding shoes that work for you tends to be a trial and
error, even if starting with professional opinion. And even
when you do get it right, the manufacturers change the shoe.

Dot

--
"Success is different things to different people" -Bernd
Heinrich in Racing the Antelope

[Jemma]

"O.B." <funkjunk@bellsouth.net> wrote in message news:<Ournc.98346$oN1.83388@bignews5.bellsouth.net>...
> To get back in shape, I've started walking/running about 7
> miles 5 days per week. I am using New Balance 851 shoes
> which are about 4 years old. I have a low arch, a narrow
> foot (C), 9.5 US foot size, am 6'0", and weigh 180 lbs.
> After about the 4th mile, a problem with shin splits
> arises in both legs. In addition, I have been twisting my
> right ankle too often. Are the shoes to blame?
>
> I've received recommendations for the Asics GT 2090 and
> the Brooks Adrenaline GTS5. Would they be good
> replacements for my current shoes?

Hi. I'm Jemma, I'm 17. When I picked up running in January
2003 I found a new hobby. By summer I was running about 6
miles about 3 or 4 times a week and was loving the feel good
factor. However I got shin splints soon after I ingnored
them, I just bought some new trainers with arch support
because that's what the specialist recommended. I didn' rest
much at all and could hadly walk by Christmas that year
because of the pain. I'd cut right back but thought no pain
no gain! 10 weeks ago I was referred to the hospital and a
bone scan revealed stress fractures. I'd been running in
pain for about 6 months and they'd gotten worse. Finally the
orthopedic guy said I'd have to go in plaster for maybe a
few months, as if I carried on exercising they could
actually break! So on Thursday I'm doing my driving test
(They were kind enough to let me try it and leave the
plaster another week) and then I'm going in to be plastered
up - all because I loved running to much.

You probably already know but you should visit a sports shop
where they have a special machine to tell you which trainers
are best for your feet and the way you run. I did but
unfortunately it didn't work for me. There's one inChorley,
Lancashire if you're local to that.

Good luck and take it easy. I'd do anything to do the
marathon next year as I was planning when I'm 18 but I'll be
lucky to be able to run at all! If I were you I'd stop at
three miles but who am I to talk! I'll be there the year
after though!!!

[Doug Freese]

"O.B." <funkjunk@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:Ournc.98346$oN1.83388@bignews5.bellsouth.net...
> To get back in shape, I've started walking/running about
> 7 miles 5
days
> per week. I am using New Balance 851 shoes which are about
> 4
years old.
> I have a low arch, a narrow foot (C), 9.5 US foot size,
> am 6'0",
and
> weigh 180 lbs. After about the 4th mile, a problem
> with shin
splits
> arises in both legs. In addition, I have been twisting
> my right
ankle
> too often. Are the shoes to blame?

>
> I've received recommendations for the Asics GT 2090 and
> the Brooks Adrenaline GTS5. Would they be good
> replacements for my current
shoes?
>

851's are an industrial strength motion control shoe and
the replacements suggested are stability. Sounds like you
don't know what shoes type you really need. Find a mom and
pop store and bring those old shoes with you and see what
they recommend. The fact that they are 4 years old suggest
they are past their prime.

I would definitely find some new shoes but they may not be
THE cause but possibly one of many causes of your shin
splits. 7 miles five days may be too many miles for your
current conditioning, etc etc . Get some new kicks AND
follow typical rest and ice to chase away the shin splits.

--
Doug Freese "Caveat Lector" dfreese@NOBShvc.rr.com
(remove the NOBS)

[Virginiaz]

thanks for sharing this experience. a wise warning. for us
all. i assume you are female? those more prone to this
injury? i'm so sorry they are putting you out-of-commission
for a while, but glad you got care in time.

Subject: Re: Shin Splints and Twisted Ankles From: <A
HREF="mailto:jemmakampz@blueyonder.co.uk
">jemmakampz@blueyonder.co.uk </A> (Jemma) Date: Sun, May 9,
2004 3:08 PM Message-id:
<240226e2.0405091108.2cc3eca7@posting.google.com>

Hi. I'm Jemma, I'm 17. When I picked up running in January
2003 I found a new hobby. By summer I was running about 6
miles about 3 or 4 times a week and was loving the feel good
factor. However I got shin splints soon after I ingnored
them, I just bought some new trainers with arch support
because that's what the specialist recommended. I didn' rest
much at all and could hadly walk by Christmas that year
because of the pain. I'd cut right back but thought no pain
no gain! 10 weeks ago I was referred to the hospital and a
bone scan revealed stress fractures. I'd been running in
pain for about 6 months and they'd gotten worse. Finally the
orthopedic guy said I'd have to go in plaster for maybe a
few months, as if I carried on exercising they could
actually break! So on Thursday I'm doing my driving test
(They were kind enough to let me try it and leave the
plaster another week) and then I'm going in to be plastered
up - all because I loved running to much.

You probably already know but you should visit a sports shop
where they have a special machine to tell you which trainers
are best for your feet and the way you run. I did but
unfortunately it didn't work for me. There's one inChorley,
Lancashire if you're local to that.

Good luck and take it easy. I'd do anything to do the
marathon next year as I was planning when I'm 18 but I'll be
lucky to be able to run at all! If I were you I'd stop at
three miles but who am I to talk! I'll be there the year
after though!!!


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