Thanks for the sympathy and ideas for exercises. My leg actually started feeling completely fine again on Thursday/Friday, so I managed to get out for my 13 miles as planned this morning. Icing it now, but not sure how it'll feel later/tomorrow.

Not going to push it too hard this coming week and hopefully things will get back to normal. I'll probably replace one of my runs with a swim this week to make sure I'm feeling great for the long run next week (which will be 14 or 15 miles - longer than I've ever run before!)

Just to clarify.  Squat down on haunches, lightly support yourself with outstretched fingertips at the front.  This stretches the muscles around the shin.

But Scouts haven't done Dyb Dyb Dyb since 1968- which actually stands for Do Your Best. Amazing how something has lasted so long, when people in the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts now wouldn't understand!

I used to suffer with sore shins.  A friend showed me an exercise that worked for me.  you simple sqaut like a scout doing dib dib dib if you know what I mean.  I hop this helps.  Do it for about 20 secs

Poor you Lauren (and Edward!). I agree with Edward, any of the cardio things help and keep your fitness at a certain level. Once the shin splints are healed running will be easier. Have you looked at your form? It may be worth some research to see if you can tweak it a little to prevent injuries for when you can run again. Walking is great, I do it as much as possible if I can't run but it won't push you in quite the same intensity but anything is better than nothing. Good luck. I hope you heal soon.

Know how you feel I've been ill and haven't run for a while. Going a bit crazy. There is no substitute for running. If you can do cardio on a bike or rower and then if the physio gives the ok a long walk that will be the best you can do. You could also work on your core strength and flexibility.

Just started marathon training (Brighton, 15th April) and I've been struck down by shin splints. My physio has told me not to run while my shin heals and it's driving me crazy. I last ran on Monday last week, and it was such a great run - I felt really strong and fast and even though I pushed myself, I felt brilliant afterwards, hence my disappointment at being out for the moment.

What do you do while injured? I've been swimming and cycling/spinning to keep my fitness up but it's just not the same. I was thinking of going for a 2 hour walk on Saturday morning instead of my usual long run. Would this be beneficial? People keep telling me that time on your feet is what counts for marathon training, so does this extend to walking if I can't run?

I'm also doing my strengthening for my glutes and hips and can feel the difference already. So I suppose at least I'm doing myself some good there.