Have to run a mile, but shin splints, help me?

[AlmightyMeggie]

I have a mile time of about 12:15 right now. I have to be able to run a mile under 12 minutes by May 15th or so. My time would be a lot lower if at 8 minutes in, my shin splints didn't start kicking in and making my calves just die out on me. Any easy and quick remedies for shin splints? And while we're on that note, any tips on shortening mile times fast (other than running for fifteen minutes straight at least three times a day lol thats my strategy right now...)

[SlimBad]

For remedies, well I can't say it's easy but ice therapy is your best bet. Soak your legs in ice-cold water for 10-20 minutes at a time 1 -2 times a day. It sucks but what it does is it forces the blood from your legs to withdraw back into your internal organs. When you heat back up the blood that returns is fresh and full of nutrients that speed up recovery.
The best way to get faster is to through sprints, mobility-exercises (basic stretching works but yoga is incredibly beneficial), as well as strength training (squats and deadlifts are best for running and anything athletic really).
However, in your case, since you have a short time frame, I suggest using an elliptical and/or biking doing HIIT. These are low impact cardio exercises that help improve your running without stressing your calves too much.

[AlmightyMeggie]

Thanks!!

[Azgeda]

Nope. Maybe pop an ibuprofen before the run. Not exactly standard procedure but WHATEVER IT TAKES!

Anyway, here's a link.
https://www.runnersworld.com/tag/shin-splints

[AlmightyMeggie]

Anything helps, and exactly! Whatever it takes! Thank you!!

[rgb008]

What are your running shoes?
I had horrible shin splits but once I changed my shoes and the sole inside it stopped.
I recommend 'super feet'. I use the green sole and find a running shoe with the proper support.
I also recommend buying a foam roller, to use to help relieve the pain.

[AlmightyMeggie]

Crappy lol They're cheap ones, and I need to fix that. Most of the time I just run on my bare feet, but that also needs to change haha. Thanks for the tips!

[badger25]

You can do some interval training. Run all out for one minute walk 30 seconds. Then repeat.
Get good running shoes, spend at least $75.
Drink only water, double your intake of fruits and vegetables.

[AlmightyMeggie]

Thanks! I've been doing a little bit of interval training here and there, it's kind of what I started doing. And literally the only thing I drink is water :)

[badger25]

If you're that close maybe just dig deeper and sprint that last hundred yards or so. Might get you under that 12 mark.

Maybe you already are doing that, but since I can't
Be you while you run or see you run...

[AlmightyMeggie]

Yeah, I've gotten a lot better, and I'm basing the 12:30 or so mark on how I did when they timed me a the beginning of April and I've been working hard since then. But thanks for all the help!

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

No offense, but for you to have shin splints, it usually requires you to actually run... You can literally wall a mile in 12 minutes. Running 15 minutes 3 times every day is terrible for you. Who told you that's a good idea? stop doing that and you'll stop having shin splints. Problem solved. A for getting down to 8 minutes, just run it. Its not a fast pace. Just make sure you pace yourself. What is this even for?

[AlmightyMeggie]

I'm in JROTC, extremely short (so for me, I take two-to-three steps for an average person's one), extremely slow (I kid you not my walk is probably faster than my run. It's an issue.), and have horrible knee and back problems. So my mile is pretty darn slow with everything accounted for, plus I forget to pace myself. And with the whole who told you to do that thing, I'm just extremely motivated to do this. But I have been forcing myself to run, therefore making my shin splints that I get from bad shoes and putting too much pressure on one of my legs.

[AlmightyMeggie]

And it might've not been clear with how I wrote it, I'm doing it for JROTC. It's not one of the add-ins of my situation.

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

Yeah... Running that much is terrible for you. I did cc for a few years and food track (mainly sprints, jumper and hurdler) for 10 years and Coach the sport now. I'm not making a suggestion; I'm telling you its bad for you. As for the walking faster than you run, I don't know how that's possible, but if it's really true, you should learn proper running mechanics because that's also probably fucking with your knees and back. Mine are fucked up from track and football (my doctor ablest told me I might need back surgery and one replacements in the next 15 years, they're still this bad), but I'm still able to run. Most people who are slow generally have terrible mechanics. Being able to run an 8 minute mile should be pretty easy with any sort of cardio at all. And make sure you have the right shoes as well. I was gonna recommend you 1 more thing, but I forgot 😑

[AlmightyMeggie]

Thanks! And yeah, I probably do have crappy mechanics, but I'm getting better with them as I run more. I'll cut back on the daily amount that I do, too.

[Anonymous]

Dont run its a trap!

[AlmightyMeggie]

But I haaavee toooooo

[Opinion Owner]

www.active.com/.../shin-splints-101-treatment-and-prevention-tips
See if any of these help. Best of luck, i hate running!