Shin Splints??? Maybe?

Ok so about 2 weeks abo I started running. I have been walking and then run from one lightpost to the next and then walk. I am trying to get my body in shape to run. Anyways a week ago the inside part of my calves started hurting, badly. So I didn't run walk for a few days. My 14 yr old nephew was making fun of the way I was going down some stairs and I told him about how my calves were hurting. He is a cross country runner and he said they were shin splints. I thought shin splints were in the front part of you leg. It is getting better but I haven't even been going on walks to help it lighten up. It is better and I would like to start again. 2 questions...

Is this shin splints?

And any advice to keep this from happening?

Thanks all!

Shin splints are in the front.  I highly recommend toe and calf raises to strengthen your lower legs.  You might want to do some research on Runner's World as well.  When I first started running, I would get this horrible soreness in my calves.  The good news is, it goes away as you get stronger.

I  have the p90x workouts and on one of the dvds Tony mentions shin splints. He has you do stretches that are supposed to help with them. You pretty much stan on one foot and the other foot is lifted off the floor,then you point with ur toe up then down for 10-15 times. Then you rotate at the ankle still pointing with the toe first clockwise then counter clockwise. Not sure if it completely works but I havent noticed any shin splints.

If it is shin splints it would be on the front of the lower leg either on the inside or outside. Do you run on the balls of your feet like you are sprinting when you run? That could cause the soreness in the calves. There is also a thing called compartment syndrom but I doubt that is what you have with just starting to run. Most likely the calf muscles are just not strong. For shin splints the best exercise I have used is to sit on the floor or bed with both legs extended out in front of you and then point your toes back as far as you can toward you and hold for 5 minutes. It worked for my HORRIBLE shin splints. Build up very slowly with the running and give your legs time to adjust to the new forces you are putting on them.Even when you are in shape cardio wise the rest has to catch up, it takes the muscoskeletal system longer then the cardio to adjust.