Both muscle and tendon injuries are often due to inadequate conditioning. Another common training flaw is increasing mileage too quickly. A quick change in intensity does not allow the body to adapt, leaving the runner susceptible to injuries such as a stress fracture. These tiny fractures are areas of fatigue in the bone and occur when excessive strain is placed on bone. These fractures are frequently found in the shin and the foot, and are painful during weight-bearing activities.
Runners can work to prevent shin splints, as well.
These occur when muscle attachments to the shin in the lower leg become inflamed. Symptoms are aching pain in the inner part of the shin when moving the foot or standing on tiptoes. Shin splints are often found with pronation, a foot alignment problem. Pronation occurs when the foot has excessive mobility, leading to flattening of the arch. Many of these injuries tend to work together.