General

Forefoot running

First track session in ages on Monday, we were working on lots of forefoot and mid-foot running - with a number of drills that included running barefoot. It's pretty enlightening to see how you naturally land on your fore foot with no shoes on, it is as if your body naturally knows not to land on your heels and avoid the impact. I tried on someones Newtons, which are designed specifically for forefoot and mid-foot running. And ... i don't want to get too excited as I've been here before with my Mizuno Inspires with orthotics, but i couldn't really feel the jarring on my shins when i run, so I'm thinking about buying a pair approx £120 (ouch). But at this stage i would pay £1200 if it meant i wouldn't get shin splints. I'll keep you posted, and no doubt give a review of my Newtons.

Shin splints back with a vengance

I have really bad shin splints, again! no wonder really after taking part in a race I shouldn't have. I had been sensibly building up by 1 minute each time i ran and was at around 18 minutes, and managing my shin problem pretty well. But this weekend i was part of team Duathlon event - the first Monster in Inverness. A team of 4 where you all have a bike leg and all do a run section. I had a 9k run with a 3k hill in the middle - and needless to say it took me more than 18 minutes, so i was running for 54 minutes, which is shouldn't have done, clearly overloading.

Oh well, its done now, and will just have to manage with Ice and massage and exercises.

Duathlon on Saturday

I've not run for a couple of weeks - and I have a team Duathlon, on Saturday that i cant really get out of. Oh dear, hopefully all the swimming I've been doing will stand me in good stead for base fitness. My section is a 10k hill run followed by a 30k mountain bike section. You can have a look here  http://www.firstmonster.co.uk/index.php Its a 120k team race round Loch Ness, it is a stunning race as most of it is off road on forest tracks - I'll report back how my shins hold up on the run section. I'm going against all my own good advice and will be definitely overloading, as the longest I've ran all summer was a 5k. Oh well - cant let my team mates down :-)

Hill reps and a run

Did 16 minutes and 33 seconds running with 10 hill reps thrown in the middle. Was ok. Initially was quite uncomfortable, but once i got going was ok, shin splints still kind of there - well not exactly shin splints but I can feel them coming on. I'm not sure my new orthotics and Mizuno wave inspires are any better than my previous set up.

I'm very tempted to get a pair of Newtons (latest greatest running shoe promoting fore/mid foot running that reduces stress and impacet on lower legs) - but at £100 + its a lot to fork out, as they may make no difference at all. Anyone got any experience of shin splints and Newtons? I have heard that newton's can actually cause shin splints - I don't believe it myself. why am i asking? nobody is even reading this :-)