What could be causing these terrible shin cramps?

Question

I've been running about three months. I'm up to a mile and a half each morning. I run most every day but have found if I miss a day my legs ache. The past two mornings I have gotten shin cramps so bad I cut my run short. I can hardly walk on my cool down and cannot stretch the cramps out. I have to massage them and they finally go away after quite some time. I am getting plenty of water. I have not changed anything about my routine/eating habits. Does anyone have any ideas how to make these stop?

Answer 1

They probably are not cramps they might be shin splints which are caused by high stress on the bone. I would definitely lay off running for a while and ice the heck out of your shins. Frozen peas are perfect for that. If they don't start to feel better with icing and not running I would see a doctor. Oh and one more thing it could have something to do with your shoes too if they are not proper running shoes they probably are not doing you any favors.

Answer 2

shin splints. i had them during cross country & they succcccckk. my trainer told me its when the muscle tears away from the bone. all you have to do is ice it and rest for awhile, thats what i did and it workssss

Answer 3

stay off the sidewalks! it is horrible and cause shin splints because of the pounding

try the canal so that your feet will be less impacted by injuries

Answer 4

i have shin splints, you can tape then with atletic tape ( google the method, because its hard to explain)

or you could always use rub on cremes/gels/lotions such as Icy hot or Tiger balm. they help the bones/muscles to feel better by giving it a cooling and heating sensation.

Answer 5

I would suggest changing your shoes.

I used to get shin splints pretty bad, but I haven't since I changed my shoes.

If you are going to be doing a lot of running, I would go all out on a new pair of running shoes, spare no expense

Answer 6

As others have pointed out, they are probably shin splints.  Typically from a stress fracture, muscle tears, or inflammation in that area.  They are very painful.  Rest, ice, ibuprophen are good for treating the symptoms.  For treating the cause, it is probably from running incorrectly.  Running incorrectly on old shoes will make it worse.

Basically, if you run up on your toes, you will put trememdous stress on the shins.  Instead of using the back of your legs as shock absorbers (picture glutes, hamstrings, calves -- all muscles!), you are hitting too far in front of your body which then uses the front of the legs (shins and knees -- and upper calves-- take the brunt).  This will also happen if you have too much heel strike when you run which is all bones.  

Best thing is once you rest them a bit, is to learn to run correctly.  You should be on the balls of your feet with the heel slightly off the ground or just grazing the ground.  Your ankle should be dorsiflexed (90 degree angle) so that you are striking the ground no more than 4-6 inches in front (this is true even at sprinting pace)  or more underneath your body.  It will depend on your speed.  You want to be pushing your body forward with your glutes and hamstrings rather than pulling the body forward with your quads.

Good Luck!