start with jogging/walking a short distance and slowly build from there. run in the park.. on grass or dirt trails.
my old x-country coach told us in 1970. " if i drop this bottle over the sidewalk what will happen?
now if i drop the same bottle over the grass what will happen?".
same way with your joints. they break down over the hard surfaces, and its ezier on them on the soft surfaces.
its very ez to leave your home and run down the street for a few miles, but if you want to stay injury free and you're just starting out, drive to a field or a park and run there..save your shins, knees and joints.
slowly incorporate a bit of running on blactop after you have built up to a few miles on the grass and trails, as most all races are on the roads.
an expensive pair of shoes, or an expensive knee operation.
you choose.
shin splints always occure when you start out.. go at it slowly. its the front shin muscle banging into the bone.. thats the pain.
shave your lower leg and tape the shin starting from the acchilies tendon going upwards to the knee . this keeps the muscle from banging into the bone..
best solution is to strengthen the shin muscles my walking on your heels pointing the toes up. make it burn...
run on soft surfaces first.. and go at it slowly...
you may get them , but they will go away.
running is a beautiful, but hard sport..
stick with it..
i had them at first, then i almost broke the american record in the mile...
dont give up.