lower part of my legs -- front part --- sore, tight

[AvettBro]

Trying to increase my running. Lower part of my legs, front part -- sore and tight.

Do I just need to stretch more? massage them? am i just using muscles I haven't used before?

[Waldo]

Google shin splints

[Sphynx]

That does indeed sound like shin splints. Consider reviewing your running technique and maybe doing some barefoot-style running once or twice a week to strengthen your lower legs. Also, in the short term, ice is your friend.

[Lendar]

I would not advice you to run much. It could porovoke a contra effect - you lose muscles on your legs. A better thing for you i sto start cycling up a hill. That will strong your leg muscles.

[Librarian of Doom]

Definitely sounds like shin splints. I've had great success with using my foam roller after running to eliminate shin splints. As in, I felt the shin splints when I walked in the door from my run, I used my foam roller, and the shin splints disappeared. Good luck!

[realbrickwall]

That does indeed sound like shin splints. Consider reviewing your running technique and maybe doing some barefoot-style running once or twice a week to strengthen your lower legs. Also, in the short term, ice is your friend.

Worth noting that I just got this exact injury from barefoot-style running. So, uh, practice more carefully than I did.

[Waldo]

Shin splints pretty much happen to everybody that is new to running or has taken a lot of time off. Obviously the intensity varies from person to person, but it is rare to meet someone that doesn't get them at all at first. For many people it doesn't affect their running since they tend to be less bothersome after warming up. They will pass in time. Only if they are fairly severe do they require treatment beyond a little extra rest and massage.