As an adult, I have always hated cardio and thought that running was “not for me” as I struggled to overcome a common, agonizing problem: shin splints.
Although I loved short sprints and playing basketball as a kid, I never really developed a passion for running later in life. Instead, I fell in love with lifting weights in the gym.
The idea of coming home from a run and having to put an ice pack on my shins for an hour and then struggling to walk for days was downright unappealing.
But I didn’t know that I was making a fundamental mistake that was contributing to the pain. It’s a common mistake that other Australians may be making too.
I wore the wrong sneakers.
It wasn’t until I tried the new ASICS Gel Kayano 31 that I realized I had to throw out my $130 running shoes. I’ll never go back to the brand I once loved.
The spongy ASICS sole, made from three different materials, gives you the feeling of walking on clouds and the design ensures that you spring forward with every step.
Although I developed shin splints from wearing the wrong shoes, physiotherapist and ASICS ambassador Patrick McNamara told FEMAIL that worn-out shoes and a worn-out running technique are also contributing factors.
I’ve always hated running – mainly because I get painful shin splints. But this past month everything changed because I realized I was wearing the wrong shoes
It wasn’t until I received the new ASICS Gel Kayano 31 that I realized I had to throw out my $130 sneakers. The spongy sole, made from three different materials, makes you feel like you’re walking on clouds and the design bounces you forward with every step
Mr McNamara, a keen runner himself, added that the most common cause of shin splints is a ‘large increase in training load or doing too much in too short a time’.
‘Shinitis often occurs when this increased stress is accompanied by poor running technique, weak calf and Achilles tendon muscles, old worn-out shoes or old shoes,’ he explains.
‘Each runner has his own unique circumstances and ’cause’ of the injury.’
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS), or “shin splints,” is one of the most common running injuries among recreational long-distance runners.
Shin splints is pain on the inside of the shinbone or tibia and is characterized by pain or discomfort with running, on impact, and on palpation. It is both a common injury and one that often lasts for weeks and months.
Mr. McNamara boasted about the Gel Kayano 31, calling it a great option for runners because it’s versatile and supportive (pictured)
Despite loving short sprints and basketball as a kid, I never really took up running later in life and instead fell in love with lifting weights in the gym.
How often should you replace your sneakers?
Mr. McNamara told us how often you should replace your running shoes. The answer may surprise you.
The frequency is measured in kilometers walked and depends on how often you train and the intensity of the training.
For some marathon runners this can be as early as six months, but for others it can vary.
“Most runners can expect to get 500-800km out of a running shoe. The determining factor when a shoe needs replacing is not the visible wear, but the health of the foam in the midsole,” says Mr. McNamara.
‘Over time, the foam in the midsole becomes more compact and loses its bounce. When the shoe starts to feel dull and dead, it’s time to switch to a new shoe.’
Mr. McNamara boasted about the Gel Kayano 31, calling it a great option for runners because it is versatile and supportive.
Mr McNamara (left) revealed how often you should replace your running shoes – and the answer may surprise you. Frequency is measured in kilometres you run and depends on how often you train and the intensity of the training.
You should have a rotation of three pairs of sneakers
It may come as a surprise to some that you should always have three pairs of sneakers to avoid injuries.
“Running is a very repetitive sport, and every step puts the same stress on the same parts of your body,” Mr. McNamara said.
‘Injuries happen when you repeatedly overload a body part beyond what it can tolerate. Each shoe offers a unique level of cushioning and support, and will subtly vary the stress of running through different parts of your feet and legs.
‘By alternating with different shoes, you distribute the load of running over different parts of the body. This reduces the chance of overloading one part of the body and the occurrence of injuries.’