Sore Shins

Read this tip to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Walking and other Exercise topics.

How do I keep my shins from being sore after racewalking?

Sore Shins

As a beginning racewalker, you will probably experience sore shins. This is probably not shin splints or other injury, but the result of using the muscles in the front of the lower leg, especially the tibialis anterior, which usually isn't worked much, especially during walking for exercise.

You can treat the soreness with ice and rest, and be ready to go out again in a day or two. The muscles will get stronger with use, but you can help that by walking around on your heels and stretching by pulling your toes down gently.

   

Comments

8/20/2006 8:03:47 AM
Rhonda Davis said:

Thanks so much on the advise. My shins were really sore the first day and I rested for two days and got back out there again thanks


6/19/2007 11:13:53 AM
Becky said:

Nice to know this is common. The other sites jump on shinsplits right away. No need to scare people like that...they should ease in as you did, then offer other information as needed.


9/4/2007 11:16:49 AM
Christine Sykes said:

What about a chronic sore shin? I have had pain in my right shin for about 3 years-there also a bump which swells up after an intense walk/run. I just work through it, but is it anything serious?


10/20/2007 12:51:59 PM
stephanie said:

sore shins are common but along with the rest and ice I found that doing toe taps will help. I learned that from a personal trainer that was teaching the walking class for my college.


1/23/2009 11:14:03 AM
Nicholas said:

Christine, I would do one or all of these 4 things: Either go see a massage therapist because there is a chance it could be an intense knot, go buy new shoes, rest it for at least a week (staying off your feet as much as possible, and/or go see your doctor. It's not good that it always hurts - do you wear heels a lot?


3/26/2009 6:00:33 PM
christopher said:

I have the same issue as Christine from the sounds of it. It has only jus started getting sore from running but always swelled when I ran. I've had the knots forever and im only just starting to find that they are the cause for the soreness in my tibialis anterior.


4/24/2009 7:28:49 PM
Nicholas said:

Try stretching your Iliotibial Band (the outsides of your legs) prior to running. That will help loosen up your anterior tibialis.


2/6/2012 9:27:03 AM
Linda said:

I walk about 3 miles a day around a paved track and on the second lap my shins start hurting , they get really sore can hardly finishing walking




Name:


URL: (optional)


Comment:


Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Exercise Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Nicholas Frank