Strengthening exercises for Shins, Knees and hips?

Question

Hey, I'm on my schools cross country team, and I've been building up my base over the summer in preparation for my upcoming season. However I dont want to get injured so I was wondering what exercises are there that can help strengthen my knees, hips and shins? I dont wanna get shin splints or knee/hip problems before the season starts, so I'm upping my mileage slowly, but one can never be to careful.

Anyways if you have any good exercises to strengthen the shins/knees/hips could you please explain them to me?

Thanks =]

Answer 1

Squats are a great lower body strength training alternative...

Answer 2

For shins:  Stand straight up with feet together.  Push the Toes off the ground so your heels are still on the ground but not the rest.  You should start to feel it around 20 times.  Do this until it hurts.

Stretching and lifting weights and being careful should help also.

Answer 3

for shins walk on you heels and keep you toes high, for your hips and butt to butt kicks, high knees, and run backwards and kick your own butt.

Do squats with your arms straight forward

As for weights, weighted squats are always good, and if you can do weighted lunges will make regular lunges a walk in the park

Well good luck, i have a ton of other litle drills if you have any questions