Is Hiking Good for my Shin Splints?

[coolmule01]

I've had a pretty nasty case of shin splints for the last couple of years. At the beginning of this year's training I vowed not to let it happen again. I've been trying to take the beginning of my training a little bit slower, but it's tough for me to run less than 3 miles at a time--I start getting bored if I'm not going at a decent pace. Something I tried last year was to supplement my running with another activity, elliptical. I never felt like I was getting a workout when using the elliptical however. I've recently gotten into hiking once a week anywhere from 5 to 9 miles at a slow, 20 minute mile pace. I'm hiking moderate trails with the occasional steep uphill or downhill with a 10-20 pound load. My question is what does this rest and day of hiking do for my shin splints? Will it ultimately help them, or hurt them.

I've changed my running mechanics to stop landing on my heel, ice after every run, stretch before and after every run, on off days heat, stretch, and ice, changed my shoes at the end of last season to a more padded shoe (I am running on asphalt), and have started doing my toe and heel walks after every run. I even saw a Orthopedic Surgeon who told me I was just doing too much too fast--this caused me to end my season early last year. I take a day off between every workout for recovery.

Thanks everyone!