Shin splints are painful. I know because I’m suffering from them for the first time since I started running seriously. They’ve sidelined me for almost two weeks so far.

Shin splints are a common injury for runners. The repetitive stress of running inflames (or tears) the connective tissue around the shin bone, causing severe pain. Adding on mileage too quickly — which I did — typically causes the problem.

My shin woes began on July 13. I ran a quick (for me) 3.85 miles. Then I showered and went to work. So far, no issues. When I arrived at work, I walked over to the coffee machine. And then it happened. I felt either side of my right shin shiver and pull back. And I haven’t run since. 

Walking became painful. Every time I tried to walk, my right shin would kill me. I popped a couple of Aleve (I have one jar at work and one jar at home) hoping the pain would go away. It made the pain more tolerable. But it didn’t solve the problem.

The next day, I began a stretching regime to relieve the pain and gain some mobility. I’m a big believer in stretching. And I could feel my muscles and connective tissue unfurl as I worked my way through the stretching routine. I also iced my shins, hamstrings and calf muscles. The ice worked wonders. It was incredibly painful when I first applied it. But after I was done, it felt great. I still couldn’t walk without pain, but life was manageable.

I iced and stretched for four days. Then the worst of the pain disappeared and I stopped. That was a big mistake. My gait has been pretty stiff ever since. But as the pain diminished on a daily basis, my leg tightened up.

My shin still feels sore if I try to move any faster than a brisk walk. Turning my ankle inward is uncomfortable. And my IT band is a mess. But the rest has largely done its job. My shin splints are healing — albeit slowly.

I’ll resume stretching and icing today. Not being able to run is driving me nuts. And I need the healing and restorative powers of ice and stretching to get to full strength. I’ll also add some core work in. I hate core exercises. I’d rather edit the work of a petty and vindictive celebrity author than do core exercises. But I have no choice now. I have to do core work at least every other day just to get some exercise in. 

I’ll also get some new running shoes. There’s no room in my life for cursed Hokas.