Beginners and wimps

Hi, I am 15 years old and love to run, but unfortunately I have never been able to go an entire mile. I am working really hard to change that, but I have two problems that are holding me back:

1) Weak lungs/ cardiorespiratory system. I live in Colorado where the air is thin and the hills are steep, which presents a challenge for me because I have some breathing problems. I don't think I have asthma; my difficulty breathing is probably anxiety-related or something like that. Does anybody else have a similar issue, and how do you cope with it?

2) Possible shin splints...? I don't exactly know what these are, but I think I may have them. LOL... it's just that whenever I run I get this nagging pain in my calves, and it's not in the muscle (cause obviously you could expect your muscles to feel tired when you run), it's in the bone. I know I get enough calcium in my diet and plenty of Vitamin D to help me absorb it (I'm out in the sun A LOT!) so who can help me figure out what the problem is and what I can do to make it better, so I can run without feeling like my shins are gonna snap?

Thanks!

Hiah

Just a quick reply but hope it helps you. I suffer the same shin pains but they will go in time. The pain is in the muscle in the shins - tibialis anterior- they have to work hard to constantly pick up the toes as you walk/run. Some people who aren't pro runners have strong calves but weak shins. There are some simple exercises you can do to make them stronger.

Try standing up and continually lifting your toes off the ground so that you feel the muscles in the shins working.

Where possible run on soft surfaces to act as shock absorbers until your shins are stronger.

It's not a lot, I know, but it does help. Also make sure you are wearing the right shoes for you, have a pro help you with this, any good shoe store assistant should be able to help too.

The more you run and keep it routine the more you will build up the strength in your shins.

Good luck, Jade

Sorry, I forgot the golden rules; drink plenty of water and always spend enough time warming up and warming down. Jade

For shins:

Also walk on your heels as well. Ice them after running will help keep inflammation down and also taking ibuprofen. WARNING if the hurt at the beginning but the pain seems to go away if you run harder - it may not be a good sign and you should go and see your orthopedist.

I went from shin splints to stress fractures to full tibia fracture. It was the most intense pain ever!

Do you run on concrete? That is the hardest surface and the worst for your shins. Try grass, dirt, or at least asphalt.