What is this perpetual bruise-like pain on my shin?

I'm not a pro runner nor an expert in sports medicine, but I think you are conflating two different issues. The spot of tenderness that you call "the bruise" that has bothered you for years regardless of your activity level is one thing, the pains and tightness that you get in your calves and your feet when you start trying a running program are another thing. The two are not likely to be related. The calf and foot issues you get with running are likely to be something you can correct. You can probably go get tips on why your running is causing you pain for free by going to a fancy runners' store and having them watch and analyze your running on a treadmill. Running with poor form, wrong shoes, etc can cause pain for many people - this doesn't mean you have "crappy legs" or "bad feet", it just means you need some advice on how to do this without hurting yourself. As for the tender spot, ask your doctor about it once you get your health insurance back. I am not your doctor and this is not medical advice.

I totally agree it's two different issues. You might want to just get an Xray. The kind of pain you describe from the one sensitive spot - localized, only bothers you with pressure, but hurts like hell if it's directly hit - could be from calcifications - bonelike chips that result from old bruises. i have a few from an injury from when I was a child, in my ankle, and they hurt like hell when impacted. I've sometimes had them throb a little when starting a new or changed exercise routine...I think it's to do with what's going on in the surrounding muscles, or the fact that they're moving around more than usual. I've been advised they can be removed with outpatient surgery, but I've elected not to do anything about them because they aren't threatening anything. The other stuff? Beginning running. Stretch and do isometrics!

Oh, and for the calves -- when I tried to start running with more minimalist shoes after running for quite some time in normal running shoes, I suffered tightness and cramps in my calves like I had never experienced before. In any event, the use of a foam roller or lacrosse ball to knead out the tight muscles is incredibly helpful (and something I wish I had done years ago for tight muscles). It sounds like a bit of a contradiction, but it seems like you need to both not overdo it and do things more regularly. Easing into a workout program is key so you don't overdo it initially, but keeping it up once you do start is what seems to really help prevent a lot of these sorts of injuries from happening as well. Check out http://www.mobilitywod.com/ for lots of good tips for loosening up and working on calves, ankles and feet.

could be from calcifications - bonelike chips that result from old bruises Or something much more serious. See a doctor.

Barefoot shoes will eliminate a lot of it. When I say this post, it brought back terrible memories. I had the same problem. One small spot on my shin would throb like crazy when I began working out or running. I almost never kept up with running because of it. Ice and rest just didn't work. Began jumping rope to sort of 'condition' it and then start running. No go. So, I bought a pair of Merrells (Barefoot, minimalist shoes) based on a bunch of things I read on shin splints. Wore them as I worked out, mostly jumping rope. After about two weeks, I couldn't feel the pain anymore. Began running, no problems. Could not believe it.

I don't know about the weird shin spot, but some discomfort when you're first starting to run is pretty normal. Note that I am not a doctor, or anything remotely like a running expert (ha). You're using muscles all through your legs and feet like you never have before, and they will feel it for sure. My rule of thumb in the 9 months or so I've been running is to ignore mild discomfort that happens while I run, just slow down or take a stretch break if I need it. If it hurts when I walk the next day, I stop running until it doesn't hurt and pick up running again a little easier once I feel 100% again. This has gotten me through a few bouts of shin splint like pain when I upped my mileage too quickly or switched surfaces. YMMV and definitely go to a fancy running store and see what they say about your firm and your shoes.

You have shin splints. (I think? I am also not a doctor!) You sound like you've look this up before - and it seems you have several key factors that lead to shin splints: your erratic jogging schedule and your flat feet; both of these issues put extra pressure on your feet. I ran cross country in high school for several years and my shin splints never went away, so nowadays (several years later) I exercise and stretch them regularly to avoid excess pain. I used to go to physical therapy, until the therapist told me that it wasn't doing much for me, after several months of declining progress. So my advice to you: stretch them. There's two good exercises my physical therapist taught me. Try walking with your toes up in the air. (you'll feel stupid doing this one) Also tap your foot with your heel on the floor repeatedly and quickly. Look up shin splint exercises. My coach prescribed ice on my shins after exercise, which supposedly helps with the shin healing process but that never really worked for me. YMMV. Also try exercise that doesn't give you the leg pain, namely swimming (which I only recently learned how to do! great way of not dealing with shin pain) and biking (also good). Your shoes could also be an issue. My running coach claimed we had to replace our shoes every four months, because old shoes do not absorb shock as well. Also, your shoes might not be well-suited to your feet. Go talk to a local store that specializes in athletic shoes - they could probably examine your feet, maybe have you do some tests to advise you what sort of shoes are best and how you can adjust your exercise regime. Try to get more than one opinion if you can. And you've had this for years?? I personally think you should look into physical therapy. Or at the very least, learn more about the problem. I've had shin splints for years and have only learned to live with them. You might be in a similar situation. As for the burning calves/arches, that might be just discomfort from the jogging. Much more noticeable if you don't do it regularly - your body isn't used to it.

Compartment syndrome aka shin splints. Get to a doctor, especially if you want to keep running, and get his or her ok first since this condition can be dangerous. In the meantime ice it whenever it hurts.

I think you also have plantar fasciitis- makes sense with the flat footedness and other symptoms you describe.