In my book The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook, I outline an 8-week fitness routine to get in shape for basic training. Getting in shape for basic training is great, but sometimes it can leave you with shin splints..
Shin splints are a common cause for concern for each military recruit. Whether you are leaving for Air Force boot camp and just trying to prepare yourself for the Army basic training workout, shin splints can easily occur. And, to make it even worse, there is no magic pill to cure them. Shin splints are a result of fatigue and trauma of the muscles near your shins. This trauma can feel like someone is hammering at your shins with each step. For military fitness style workouts, shin splints can definitely be a road block, and surviving boot camp will be that much harder.
The Army basic training schedule leaves little room for rest and relaxation, so what can a recruit do to get rid of shin splints before arriving at basic training? Lots!
- First things first, get new shoes. Most recruits don’t get the right shoes. Shoes should fit comfortable and feel well, if they do not, you are adding trauma to your shins with every step you take. Shin splints often occur with new shoes, if this happens, simply get new shoes that fit better and you will see shin splints quickly disappear.
- Another quick fix for shin splints is to practice running on soft surfaces, not pavement. Running on grass should help the pain subside.
- Rest may not be a luxury you have if your in training, however, if your shins are throbbing even when sitting on the sofa, you must stay off them as much as possible
- Another cause of shin splints is being overweight. If you are overweight and have time to drop a few pounds, you will put less stress on your shins.
- Last but not least, try adjusting your running technique. Get some gel insoles for your shoes. This will angle your foot toward your toes slightly. You should try running on your toes more than the heels of your foot. When you run on the heels of your foot on a hard surface, your shin is experiencing too much trauma for your muscles to bear.
Follow the above tips when undergoing an Army physical fitness program and surviving boot camp will be a lot less painful.
by SGT Michael Volkin
