My son is scheduled to leave Sunday for Quantico for Marines OCS. He has been training hard for more than a year, and recently got shin splints. He now cannot run far or well. What do you think his chances are of completing OCS? He can always go back in January when he graduates from college, but he has planned on going to Quantico this summer for two years. Any opinions on whether or not a fellow with shin splints will wash out? Or get sent back as soon as he gets off the plane? Thanks-
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What to expect at Quantico?
- Thread starter tombread
- Start date
I can't speak about how he'll do at Quantico, but I suffer from the same problems. Here's what I do.
The only way to get rid of shin splints (or make them tolerable) is to put in the time to strengthen the muscles in front of the calf.
Three things to do:
1. spell out the alphabet in the air with your foot. rotate at the ankle, not the knee or hip.
2. try to walk only on the heel of the foot.
3. standing up, lift your toes and balls of your feet off the ground, and put the weight on your heels. do these a lot. when I was doing track, i would try to place a dumbell over the foot (light weight-- 10-15 lbs.) and lift the dumbell for reps.
Wish your son luck for me... He might have a tougher time than some of the others, but I think he can make it.
The only way to get rid of shin splints (or make them tolerable) is to put in the time to strengthen the muscles in front of the calf.
Three things to do:
1. spell out the alphabet in the air with your foot. rotate at the ankle, not the knee or hip.
2. try to walk only on the heel of the foot.
3. standing up, lift your toes and balls of your feet off the ground, and put the weight on your heels. do these a lot. when I was doing track, i would try to place a dumbell over the foot (light weight-- 10-15 lbs.) and lift the dumbell for reps.
Wish your son luck for me... He might have a tougher time than some of the others, but I think he can make it.
Destructo6
New member
Ice often
Ibuprofen or Indomethacin
Stay off your feet as much as possible (lay yourself up on the weekend)
You can conceal injuries like that, and worse, for a very long time.
Ibuprofen or Indomethacin
Stay off your feet as much as possible (lay yourself up on the weekend)
You can conceal injuries like that, and worse, for a very long time.
It depends on how much he wants to complete the course. When I went through Army OCS at Ft Benning one of my classmates had a cracked bone in his ankle and he would not give up, ran on it almost four months untill graduation. Some guys quit after the first run. Of course in those days we ran in boots, which gave more support to the ankle.
Good Luck to your son.
Geoff Ross
Good Luck to your son.
Geoff Ross
Shawn Dodson
Moderator
Have your boy get new running shoes, preferably New Balance shoes that are fitted to his feet.
I never had shin splits in my life, until I bought THE RUNNING SHOES FROM HELL! These shoes weren't cheap (they were Reeboks, Nike or Adidas -- I can't remember specifically), but they were simply incompatible with my feet and style of running. Everytime I ran while wearing these damn things they gave me shin splints. I replaced them and the shin splints went away, never to return.
Also, if he's issued standard-issue fast lace combat boots instead of the Marine's new Matterhorn boots, have him purchase Spenco urethane insoles (running or jogging type) to replace the GI screen insoles. These insoles make GI combat boots feel like expensive running shoes and they'll provide better support for his feet.
Above all, he needs to stop running for a week or two to allow the tendons and muscles in his shins heal, then he should gradually begin running again.
I wish your son the best.
------------------
/s/ Shawn Dodson
Firearms Tactical Institute
http://www.firearmstactical.com
I never had shin splits in my life, until I bought THE RUNNING SHOES FROM HELL! These shoes weren't cheap (they were Reeboks, Nike or Adidas -- I can't remember specifically), but they were simply incompatible with my feet and style of running. Everytime I ran while wearing these damn things they gave me shin splints. I replaced them and the shin splints went away, never to return.
Also, if he's issued standard-issue fast lace combat boots instead of the Marine's new Matterhorn boots, have him purchase Spenco urethane insoles (running or jogging type) to replace the GI screen insoles. These insoles make GI combat boots feel like expensive running shoes and they'll provide better support for his feet.
Above all, he needs to stop running for a week or two to allow the tendons and muscles in his shins heal, then he should gradually begin running again.
I wish your son the best.
------------------
/s/ Shawn Dodson
Firearms Tactical Institute
http://www.firearmstactical.com