Compression Socks?

[linz]

I have always been an off and on runner. Usually would go no more than 3 miles. I'm training now for a half in 5 weeks. The last 2 weeks I have had horrible shin pain. I'm following a training schedule and saturdays is my long run. 2 weeks ago I did 6 miles, felt great after. Last week I did 8 miles and have been hurting since. I'm fine during the day but when I run at night the pain comes back right away, even running only 3 miles. I've read online about compression socks but wanted advice from anyone that uses them. A local store has some for $45 - the 2XU Compression Calf Guard. It has really good reviews so was going to check them out tonight. I hate having to spend so much after just paying the fee for the half but can't deal with this pain. I do stretch before and after, and my shoes I just got before training and got fitted so I know those are good.

[softspot]

I have the 2XU calf sleeves & love them. My husband has them as well & is seeing great results from his shin pain.

I will suggest you try them on in the store. I bought mediums & got them to stretch a bit, but the larges are a little less restricting.

[gumi]

I like compression socks for after a hard workout (12+ miles) because it keeps the blood flowing, which reduces lactic acid, which reduces soreness.

But if you have PAIN, that is beyond typical soreness, and compression socks are not going to make that go away. Maybe you are increasing your mileage too quickly, maybe you have tight muscles, maybe you have weak muscles...those are the things you need to consider first and foremost.

[breezy8407]

I have compression sleeves I wear after my workout for anything over 10 miles, but like Gumi said, it sounds like the pain you are experiencing might not be helped by compression gear.

[Susie]

So wait, you're going from being a 5k'er to a half marathoner, and in one week you jumped from 6 to 8 miles for your long run?

That is a BIG jump.  It sounds more likely that you have a "too much too fast" problem than a "compression socks might ease this" issue.

What training plan are you following?

[linz]

www.marathonrookie.com/half-marathon-training.html

This is the schedule I follow. The problem that I have is like I said, now when I do even a 3mile run it hurts. Whereas I've never had that problem. I am still able to run, it isn't enough pain that I need to stop but it's noticable.

So the sleeves are for after a workout only? I assumed you would wear them during your long run?

[mrsjthompson]

DH has some shin issues and wears ProCompression socks for our longer (5 mi) runs, but the bulk of his pain came from the wrong shoes.  I'm assuming you've been fitted for shoes.

I'm not the expert at all on this board, but I'd agree that plan has some big jumps in mileage.  That might be causing some of the pain too.

[Susie]

Mar 15, 2013 11:16:05 GMT -5 linz said:

www.marathonrookie.com/half-marathon-training.html

This is the schedule I follow. The problem that I have is like I said, now when I do even a 3mile run it hurts. Whereas I've never had that problem. I am still able to run, it isn't enough pain that I need to stop but it's noticable.

So the sleeves are for after a workout only? I assumed you would wear them during your long run?

That is a short training plan - only 10 weeks.  You really see it in the jumps from 6 to 8 and 8 to 10.  Going from 6 to 10 in two weeks doesn't seem smart.  I know it's probably not helpful now if you've already chosen your race, but I would suggest a 12 week plan that doesn't have those big jumps in the long run.  Something like:  www.halhigdon.com/training/51130/Half-Marathon-Training-Guide

If you are really having discomfort/pain, I would really urge you not to keep pushing through.  You have a lot of miles left before 13.1.  That screams injury, if you're already in pain.  Consider picking another half that will give you more time to let this heal, then prepare with a more gradual plan.  There are tons of half marathons:  www.halfmarathons.net/usa_half_marathons.html 

Especially since you are coming up from 5k to half marathon with no way points in between (10k, 15k), I would even maybe suggest giving yourself 13 weeks to do a 12 week plan so in case you need to take a week somewhere, you can without feeling too much pressure. 

[gumi]

Mar 15, 2013 11:16:05 GMT -5 linz said:

www.marathonrookie.com/half-marathon-training.html

This is the schedule I follow. The problem that I have is like I said, now when I do even a 3mile run it hurts. Whereas I've never had that problem. I am still able to run, it isn't enough pain that I need to stop but it's noticable.

So the sleeves are for after a workout only? I assumed you would wear them during your long run?

You can wear them during your workout, but for 8 miles, you should not have to.  It's for race day when you are running fast for 13 miles.  It will help with lactic acid.  

But, they are even more useful for after the race, to keep the blood flowing so you are less sore the next day. For example, I would sleep in them after a race.

If it hurts to run 3 miles, socks are not going to help you.  It is your body saying something is not right...be it the shoes, or simply too much too soon, or tight calves...or weak shins....

backing down, getting a massage, doing some yoga, and then building back up when you no longer have pain is your safest route to go.  If you continue to run through pain, it will only get worse.

[taratru]

Honestly, I'm pretty sure you have shin splints. This could be from a million different things or combo of things: shoes (worn out or wrong fit), surface you're on, weak shin muscles, tight calves, too much mileage...

Compression isn't going to help you if you have pain. You need to stop, figure out where they're coming from and fix the problem. I'd start with shoes and icing. You can google shin stretches and calf stretches.