I am looking to run a marathon in May of 2009. I currently run on a treadmill 3 days a week during lunchtime at work and currently run about 4.75 miles at 0.5 percent incline in the 36 minutes I have. I try to increase the speed a little each time I run and will increase the incline as I get stronger. I could get to the gym early on fridays to get a 2 to 2.5 hour run in if I want to get up early and could go 4 other days during lunch if work is not too busy.

I have been running on the treadmill for about one year because every time I ran on other surfaces I would get pain in my left shin. This went on for about 3 years.

My question is whether performing all the runs except maybe one on the weekends if my shin does not hurt is adequate for training? I am hesitant to run on pavement or grass with the past shin pain.

The fact that your shin hurts you every time you run is sending you a message. It's a problem you really need to get squared away before training for or running a marathon. It's possible that you don't have proper shoes for your gait, or not properly fitted shoes. It's quite possible that you are running at too fast a pace for your current fitness. Those are the most likely issues. You should try slowing your pace down outside a bit and make sure you have shoes that were professionally fitted and recommended by a running store (not a big sporting goods store). Then see where things go.

Hmmm It's probably not shinsplints since I've never heard of anyone getting it in only one shin. Have you ever had your gait analyzed? You might want to do that, there are shoe stores like Fleet Feet (not sure if there in your area) that will do it for you. Also did you say you haven't run on ground in a year? If not, you ought to at least try a nice padded track and see how it goes.

Thanks for the advice. It's just frustrating to have had this "injury" for such a long time. I ran cross country in high school and college and the only injuries I ever had were mildly sprained ankles. Never any knee, foot or leg pain. The shin (inside of left shin) pain began after I bought a house near the top of hill. Every time I went running I had to run about 1/2 mile down a paved hill that was very steep in sections. It hurt so much I took over a year off, then started running (more like jogging) on flat ground during lunch at work on grass and asphalt (maybe 20-80 split). Pain would start on third run and increase even with ice and a few days rest between runs. I tried taking a long time off on a couple of occasions but had the same results when I started again.

I do buy my shoes at one of the big box stores and only spend $50 or so, but I've been doing that since I started running in middle school. Sigh.

I have been without pain for the year I've been on the treadmill but am afraid that if run on the roads I'll start to develop the pain again. there is tenderness in the shin on occasion but never pain.

I also play indoor soccer once a week and tennis (usually doubles) once a week as well with no pain.

I ran a marathon about 14 years ago when I was in college and have been getting the itch for a while to run another one.

OK maybe it is shinsplints caused by favoring one side and braking with the other going downhill. I still think it would be low risk to try a padded 1/4 mile track. Heck you're already running a lot on not very forgiving surfaces with indoor soccer and tennis (unless you mean clay). I'd say run some laps on a nice padded track and if you feel anything bad, shut it down. Also A friend of mine is prone to shin splints and says compression wraps help. Good luck

Thanks for the response. I am going to try to start running on the local high school track on Sunday mornings. The track is a little old but it is a rubberized asphalt track. Hopefully all goes well.

The soccer field I play on is a new turf field that's fairly soft so the only real shin impact is the swift kick in the leg! Bigger concern is getting a foot caught in the turf and hurting my knees or ankles. Our goalie had that happen last spring and tore his MCL.

I did not see any references to weight lifting during training and am curious. I currently lift weights with the machines at the gym on days I do not run. If my shins do hold up from running outside, is weight training on the 1-2 off days a week a good idea still, or is complete rest better?

I don't think weight training would would aggravate shinsplints, but again I'm assuming that's what it is, you won't know for sure unless you get checked out by a Doctor, and maybe not even then. Soft tissue injuries are often tough to diagnose. I remember having left knee pain a few years ago when I started running a long hill. I think started doing leg lifts, the kind where you're knees are bent and you lift the weights up til your legs are straight out. No knee pain ever since so some proper weight training can be beneficial. Hope the track running works out

I used to get unilateral shin pain while running too. I play tennis and it did not bother me while playing, just when running on the road. I switched to a more stable shoe and it went away just like that. The right shoes can make all the difference.

I purchased new shoes and ran twice last week at the local track. I ran three miles on Thursday and 6.5 on Friday without any leg pain. It is more difficult running outside! I've been running at a 8 min/mile on the treadmill for my long runs with ease. I averaged 8 min 9 sec per mile outside for the long run (7min 28 sec for the 3 mile). I'm going to make my long runs outside on the track on Friday mornings and keep my other two runs per week on the treadmill for now. Once I get my long run up to 8 miles I'll add another day on the track and eventually a 5th and maybe 6th day each week of running. Then run 3 days outside (interval / hills, long run and another day) and keep a couple of days on the treadmill. Real training starts middle of December so It's time to get into shape!

Again, should I continue to lift weights on my off days while training for the marathon?

Glad to hear the track is working out. If you are planning on running 5 or 6 days a week for marathon training then I'd say don't weightlift, I never do and I've done 7 marathons with no significant injuries. There are certainly more experienced marathoners than I on this board that may have a different opinion but I don't see the benefit especially if you are going to only have one or two days off. The main thing is just ramp the mileage up gradually and pay extra attention to form on the hills especially downhill. Don't lean back and "brake" with your heels, lean forward a little bit and go for a shorter pedaling sort of stride rather than a longer stride that encourages a harder footstrike. Good luck

Thanks for the advice last year. Just wanted to send an update. I forgoed the May marathon because I could not get my but in gear and I was out of town for a wedding that weekemd. I did end up training outside for a marathon in October and ran it in just under 4 hours. I am in a reverse taper now (30 miles this week) and hope to maintain 40 mpw until training cycle for the next marathon starts in January. probably will use the Pfitz 18/55 program. I requested the book from the library and am waiting for it to arrive from one of the other state libraries. Hopefully I'll finish this one much faster. 3:45-3:50 would make me happy.