2 months. 2 months with no running; no training. My shin splints are still there even with this rest. They hurt when i walk and sometimes i just get shooting pains up my shins. The doctors said they would go away, they are just as a result of growing. But i haven't grown in years. The main cause of shin splints is overuse and the no. 1 treatment is rest. Yet rest has never benefitted me. I've taken months off at a time, having to do with cross training and core workouts to keep up my fitness. I like cycling and swimming, but with my shins hurting when i walk, cycling hurts even more. This isn't just an injury that has cropped up recently. I've had shin splints for 5 years. I'm 16 years old. I've never had a full athletics season. I've never been fully fit when i have raced, i have never had the oppurtunity to show my potential. People around me have said i just have to face upto the fact i can't run. But running is such a natural thing that people do everyday. Running is what makes me wake up in the morning, it relieves the stresses of life, it keeps me feeling good and it provides time to reflect on life and problems. But i can't run.