I just started trying to get in shape, this is what I am doing

I am hiking two days on and one day off for rest.

I started about two and a half weeks ago. I am trying to include at least a 500 foot elevation change each hike. Yesterday, I did 700feet over 4 miles in two hours.

My hikes generally run 1.5 to two hours in length@~2-2.5mph.

I did 4.5 the day before with a 400ft elevation change. I started adding a 20 pound pack the last two times.

My upper body workout is light with about 50 push-ups those same days. I plan on some weight training in the fall but do not want to waste money on a gym membership when parks and trails are free and the days are long.

My weight has finally started dropping and my legs are getting noticably harder.

I suffered shin-splints for the first two weeks (new boots too) and just above my ankles on either side are a bit sore today so I seem to be better tolerating my workout.

I am wondering if in a week or so if I should throttle-back for a week to reduce the chance of an injury.

Don't throttle back. Take Motrin. Your routine isn't that rough on your body. You might balance it out with a bit of cardio for the upper body such as swimming or kayaking.

As the Bow said or aspirin about 30 min prior to activity. If they are bad, again after activity. Motrin takes awhile to take effect. Mine got so bad I could hardly run and walking any distance was tough.

Some additional excercise to help with circulation and strengthen the surrounding muscules, try calf raises off of a step to really stretch out the calves.

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cy...or_tendons.htm

I am convinced this is the problem with my right foot. I am keeping up the workout but I would enjoy it 10x as much if my right foot felt as good as the left. Legs are continuing to get better muscle tone and my weight is slowly dropping.

I did a two tank dive thursday at the lake with lots of swimming instead of the usual hike. Felt it a bit in the quads the next day. Different muscles and all that jazz.

Pain is slowly improving but it is s.l.o.w. Next week is likely to be a light week due to work. I will likely hike tue and wed and lay off till after Todds class to give it a bit of a rest to recover.

Well, my flexor tendon has healed. I did a 10 mile hike with around 30lbs in a large alice ruck.

I descended 1800ft, crossed a 700ft high ridge and came down where I dropped off my vehicle.

Next is to do it in the OPPOSITE direction where I ascend the 1800ft elevation change.