As an adult, I always hated cardio and thought running was just “not for me” because I struggled with a common, nagging problem: shin splints.
Although I enjoyed running short sprints and playing basketball as a kid, I never really got into running later in life and instead fell in love with lifting weights at the gym.
The thought of coming home from a run, pressing an ice pack to my shins for an hour, and then struggling to walk for days was terribly unappealing.
But I didn’t realise that I was making a fundamental mistake that was contributing to the pain – and that it was a common mistake that other Australians might make too.
I was wearing the wrong sneakers.
It wasn’t until I tried the new ASICS Gel Kayano 31 that I realized I had to get rid of my $130 running shoes – and I’ll never go back to the brand I once loved.
The sponge-like ASICS sole made from three different materials makes it feel like you’re walking on clouds, and the design cushions you with every step forward.
While wearing the wrong shoes was the cause of my shin splints, Patrick McNamara, physiotherapist and ASICS ambassador, told FEMAIL that wearing worn-out shoes and running technique also contribute.
I’ve always hated running – mainly because I get painful shin splints. But in the last month, everything changed because I realized I was wearing the wrong shoes
It wasn’t until I got the new ASICS Gel Kayano 31 that I realized I had to get rid of 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, himself an avid runner, added that the most common cause of shin splints is a “sharp increase in training load or too much training in too short a time”.
“Shin splints often occur when this sudden stress is accompanied by either poor running technique, weakness in the calf and Achilles tendon, or old, worn or outdated footwear,” he explained.
“Every runner has his or her own circumstances and ‘cause’ for the injury.”
Medial tibial splint syndrome (MTSS) or “shin splints” is one of the most common running injuries among recreational long-distance runners.
Shin splints are pain on the inside of the shin or tibia and are characterized by pain or discomfort when walking, hitting something, and palpating it. 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 as it is versatile and supportive (pictured)
Although I enjoyed running short sprints and playing basketball as a kid, I never really had an interest in running later in life and instead fell in love with lifting weights at the gym.
How often should you change your sneakers?
Mr. McNamara has revealed how often you should replace your running shoes – and the answer might shock you.
The frequency is measured in kilometers run and depends on the frequency and intensity of the training.
For some marathon runners it may be as little as six months, but for others it may take varying amounts of time.
“Most runners can expect 500 to 800 km from a running shoe. The factor that determines whether or not a shoe needs to be replaced is not the visible wear, but the condition of the foam in the midsole,” said McNamara.
“Over time, the foam in the midsole becomes more compact and loses its elasticity. When the shoe feels dull and dead, it’s time for 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) has revealed how often you should replace your running shoes – and the answer might shock you. The frequency is measured in miles run and depends on how often you train and how intense the training is.
You should wear three pairs of sneakers alternately
It may also come as a shock to some that you should always wear three pairs of sneakers to avoid injuries.
“Running is a sport with a lot of repetitive movements and with each step the same parts of the body are stressed in the same way,” said McNamara.
“Injuries occur when you repeatedly stress a part of your body beyond its capacity. Each shoe offers a unique level of cushioning and support, subtly varying the amount of stress placed on different parts of your feet and legs as you run.
“By changing different shoes, the load can be distributed across different areas when running. This reduces the risk of overloading a part of the body and sustaining an injury.”
