Thinking hard makes the brain tired

Re:Thinking hard makes the brain tired by fphhotchips on Sunday April 02, 2023 @11:26PM (#35418194)

I've tried running around the park, I've tried running around the track, I've tried road running, I've tried cross country running, I've tried treadmills. Every time, I keep it up for a couple of weeks and then I get horrible shin splints. Or I bust my ankle, or I can't commit the time to do a good loop because it's winter and dark all the time. One way or another, I stop, and I don't go back to it for another year. I've learned to stop fighting it. I just don't like running that much, and I'm ok with it.

The point is, I mistook my dislike of running, cycling and HIIT for a dislike of exercise for basically my whole 20s, and it turns out that's not true at all. I just had to figure out the version that worked for me.

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Re:Thinking hard makes the brain tired by denysonique on Monday April 03, 2023 @07:46AM (#35421871)

>I get horrible shin splints

One should avoid running on concrete pavements. Consider alternatives such as grass or tarmac.

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Re:Thinking hard makes the brain tired by fphhotchips on Monday April 03, 2023 @11:18AM (#35425133)

I get shin splits on grass, artificial turf, unpaved tracks and treadmills. I've had it looked at by a podiatrist, and he recommended stretches for my tibialis anterior. I do them before I play sport and they generally work if I'm only playing once a week, but much past that and I'm in pain again.

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Re:Thinking hard makes the brain tired by rojeee on Monday April 03, 2023 @04:06PM (#35430483)

Shin splints are horrid but can be avoided.

Increase your cadence to at least 170 strides per minute. More if you can. This forces you to lower stride length. Overstriding is a main cause for shin splints.

Also try to think about your hips when you run. An anterior hip tilt will put excess stress on shins and quads. Tense your glutes when running to keep hips level. Imagine you are carrying a bowl of water in your hips and try not to spill!

Also weak glute medius will cause knee pain and potentially shin splints. Try strengthening up the glutes and shortening stride length.

Good luck!

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Re:Thinking hard makes the brain tired by robbintt on Tuesday April 04, 2023 @01:39AM (#35435537)

This. Use a metronome on your phone. And do high rep weight training (leg machines) and crosstrain on a bike.

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Re:Thinking hard makes the brain tired by fphhotchips on Friday April 07, 2023 @05:55AM (#35479938)

(Late response, sorry)

These are great tips! I've had issues with weak / under-activated glute medius for years, but I didn't think about that causing the shin splints. I'll give the 170 stride a minute tip a try.

Thanks!

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