Shin Splints – The Sequel

I took to month of January off from running.  I figured that I would let the shin splints heal entirely.  On days that I was supposed to run I went on the elliptical so as to get my workout in without the constant impact.  I have to admit I really got lax with my shin splint stretches.  Not being in pain, I actually forgot all about them.  Today I went on the treadmill.  I started off slow at 3 miles per hour and increased the speed by 1/10th of a mile every minute.  In eight and a half minutes I was beginning to feel the pain.  I stayed on the treadmill for a another minute and a half and, not wanting to do any damage, I moved to the elliptical.  How am I possibly going to run in this race?