Rest or try to get in shape?

I just finished my track season at the state finals on Saturday, and my shins are in awful condition. It's nothing I'm going to the doctor for, as shin splints have plagued me ever since I became a sprinter and just a lot of rest is the only way to clear it out.

So, this begs the question: Do I try to get in cardio shape through running and risk prolonging my shin splints or rest my shins and just do a ton of push ups/sit ups/work outs not involving high impact?

Rest and rest. If your legs are hurting, it will only get worse if you put more stress on it. Take a break, put on some ice, and give some elevation.

Plus, you should always take break after running seasons (like two weeks or at least a week) to let your body heal. Instead, you can swim or bike lightly, although i don't really recommend it.

SeanGoldenPig said:

Rest and rest. If your legs are hurting, it will only get worse if you put more stress on it. Take a break, put on some ice, and give some elevation.

Plus, you should always take break after running seasons (like two weeks or at least a week) to let your body heal. Instead, you can swim or bike lightly, although i don't really recommend it.

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Totally agree.

I was a sprinter as well. Your legs need a break and there are many other things you can do so you are still "in shape"

Definitely no impact on the legs until the hot spots are gone.

1. Swim at a good pace so you get the cardio.
2. Many people can use a stationary bike with shin splints and still heal them -- you will have to see if you think it makes it flare up. Get your pulse UP -- interval training on a stationary bike is very effective.

Good luck -- neither shin splints during Plebe Summer nor being the out of shape plebe in the squad are any fun at all (to be understated) and you should try to avoid both outcomes.

definitely rest. I am a jumper/sprinter for track and have terrible knees and shins. the only thing that makes them feel better is rest.

trust me, you're in better running shape than you may think. and biking/swimming will help a lot. The running during plebe summer shouldn't be that bad, or at least its the least of my worries.

stay safe

Swimming would be your very best option. I feel as if many soon to be plebes are leaving swimming out of their workouts, it is the Navy, be comfortable in deep water.

Swimming is a good way to go and you can increase the workout by breathing every 4th stroke instead of every 2. This will put you into oxygen debt faster and build your endurance.

From one runner to another

Even though I have not been through Plebe Sunmer, as a runner, I agree with much of the above, but I really think you should rest 2 full weeks with NO CARDIO and do the upper body push-ups/ pull-ups/ sit-ups you suggested in the meantime. You can start to get back into cardio after those 2 weeks (swimming, biking, etc.), but i wouldn't even recommend running for an additional week after that. By that point, you will have given your legs an incredibly beneficial rest, and may be surprised at how fast you still are after all the time off. Even if you're a sprinter, if you making it to the State Championship should mean that you're in better aerobic shape than most of your peers. And you'll still have a week or so to run before Plebe Summer. That's exactly what I've done for the past few years after every season and I always go into the next one feeling refreshed and ready to get started. Good luck!

Evan