Any tips on how to deal with the dreaded shin splints? I get them from about miles 1-3 but seem to recover during the course of a longer run. I use ice packs on them after but don't know if that really helps anything.

I've been dealing with them some recently, and just like you its mile 1-3 that gets me. Try standing, facing a wall...put your hands on the wall...and lift your toes off the ground. I hope that makes sense. It seems to be the best one for me

You can also Google shin splint exercises and you will find many more to help alleviate the pain. I'm dealing with Plantar Facsiitis and Shin Splints right now and its not fun. My mileage is way down going into the Evansville Half this Sunday.

A high school baseball coach gave me some great advice when I first started running and developed this problem. He made his team walk on their heels (keep both feet's toes up taking each step) back and forth across the weight room once or twice a week. Only takes a minute or two and it helped me a lot. When I first did them, I could really feel it in my shins and now it doesn't feel like effort at all.

Thanks for the tips. I'm doing the Indianapolis Half on the 17th and my running frequency has gone down too. I'm debating if I should squeeze in one more long run tomorrow, or not push it. I did the 15k part of the Downtown Doubler last month but haven't done any double-digit mile runs at all.

Good luck to you and the others in Evansville!

There was a snippet in this Month's Runner's World about Lenore's tip on the heel walking. Ice at night. Massage frequently. Warm them up good and stretch throughout the day as well.

I was having slight shin splint issues a while back, but then the IT Band took over the pain department... I haven't done anything over 6 in a month going into Evansville...

I signed up for a free trial of Runner's World through one of the active.com race registrations. Do you guys find it worth the paid subscription?

They repeat a lot of information, but the feature articles are good and it's only $12 for a year so I would have to say its well worth it.

Yeah. The pictures are different each month, so it's worth it to me. (though Running Times is a better magazine, IMO)

Thanks for the magazine info.

About the heel walking.. should that be done with or without shoes, or does it matter?

I do mine with shoes but mostly because I'm usually at the gym, not out of any preference. As long as the toes are up and you lead with the heels, I think that's the important part.

I don't have stability without shoes on. Therefore, I have to wear shoes.

About Runners World, I don't think I'd feel right NOT getting it each month. I love it. There is a lot of repetition but I think that's kinda what I like about it. Plus, it truly is a huge motivator for me just to SEE the magazine. I kid you not, if you are around me at all, you will know I have it. I have issues sitting at work, some on my coffee table, some in the bathroom, some in my office, my bedroom and some in my car. I keep old issues around just to look back at if I get bored or to let others read if they find it interesting. And just seeing it day to day reminds me that I need to "get out there" later.

Running Times is more specifically informational, but for my current level of training, it's just not necessary. I like it but it's a little too technical for me at this point, especially since I'm "starting over."