Running Pain!

Notthe7

Cherished Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Posts
1,086
Media
0
Likes
255
Points
468
Verification
View
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Female
So, I just started working out again after honestly about a year of not doing shit but working. With that said, the first three weeks passed by without a hitch... I took a few days off and all of a sudden I've noticed that the front of my legs are killing me! I'll be running and it'll feel like they are being pulled apart from the middle. Of course, I run thru it but it kills. I'll be honest. I have NOT been stretching the way that I should have. I had serious ligament injuries to my left knee in high school on dance team.

Clearly, I need to stretch more... but are there any suggestions as to which are best? And how often I should be doing them?


(((I'm running two miles every day.))))
 

nudeyorker

Admired Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2006
Posts
22,744
Media
0
Likes
776
Points
208
Location
NYC/Honolulu
Sexuality
100% Gay, 0% Straight
Gender
Male
Sounds like...shin-splints to me, rest and ice should do the trick, think about investing in a different pair of running shoes and switching them out every other day. I on the other hand after a NY Marathon quit running and took up swimming again.
 

Notthe7

Cherished Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Posts
1,086
Media
0
Likes
255
Points
468
Verification
View
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Female
I just bought brand new shoes about.... a week and a half ago? I really like them. I had been running in Nike Shocks (which were killing me because they are so fucking heavy, ya know?). I got the Nike 5.0's. I feel so much better running in them; less weight, legs felt better (until just recently). I didn't know you could get shin-splints WHILE running.
 

paigexox

Sexy Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2010
Posts
1,048
Media
37
Likes
56
Points
83
Age
38
I am thinking that the first thing you should do is take a break for your own sake. Give it at least two days. If you're on the brink of injury and you push it, things are only going to go downhill and you will be out of the running game for even longer.

As for the routine, what I would do is this. Warm-up, then do your run, then perform the stretches.

I normally stretch: Hamstring, quadricep, piriformis, calf, and illiotibial muscles.

Hope that helps!
 
Last edited:

Notthe7

Cherished Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Posts
1,086
Media
0
Likes
255
Points
468
Verification
View
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Female
I feel like taking a few days off was good enough? Especially since I -just- started. I don't want to loose the progress I've made. I do know that I'm really pushing myself so you're probably right. I use to run 3-4 miles every day before I stopped working out.

I'll definitely follow your advice and get to stretching out my legs properly.
 

paigexox

Sexy Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2010
Posts
1,048
Media
37
Likes
56
Points
83
Age
38
I feel like taking a few days off was good enough? Especially since I -just- started. I don't want to loose the progress I've made. I do know that I'm really pushing myself so you're probably right.

This is the hardest part :frown1:, but you've got to think in the long run. It's not the first few days or weeks that lead to great fitness, it's being able to get into a routine that's sustainable for you. Just be patient and respect your body -- even if it means resting more for the time being. Months from now when you're kicking-ass and doing all of this with ease and zero pain, you'll thank yourself. :smile:
 

Kores

Sexy Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
May 10, 2009
Posts
62
Media
10
Likes
30
Points
263
Verification
View
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Male
On a treadmill hun. Minnesota hasn't allowed spring or summer yet. Haha. So, on a treadmill.
LOL it's the middle of May, what do you mean no spring? Write a formal complaint :biggrin1:

When the weather gets better and you start running outside, try the dirt. Your knees will be grateful.
 

Notthe7

Cherished Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Posts
1,086
Media
0
Likes
255
Points
468
Verification
View
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Female
This is the hardest part :frown1:, but you've got to think in the long run. It's not the first few days or weeks that lead to great fitness, it's being able to get into a routine that's sustainable for you. Just be patient and respect your body -- even if it means resting more for the time being. Months from now when you're kicking-ass and doing all of this with ease and zero pain, you'll thank yourself. :smile:

You're absolutely right. I'll start stretching morning and night.. I think my knee will definitely thank me.
 

MASSIVEPKGO_CHUCK

Legendary Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2003
Posts
41,061
Media
0
Likes
41,233
Points
718
Location
New Jersey, USA
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Male
So, I just started working out again after honestly about a year of not doing shit but working. With that said, the first three weeks passed by without a hitch... I took a few days off and all of a sudden I've noticed that the front of my legs are killing me! I'll be running and it'll feel like they are being pulled apart from the middle. Of course, I run thru it but it kills. I'll be honest. I have NOT been stretching the way that I should have. I had serious ligament injuries to my left knee in high school on dance team.

Clearly, I need to stretch more... but are there any suggestions as to which are best? And how often I should be doing them?


(((I'm running two miles every day.))))
I'm no doctor, but I get the same thing on & off work- I think you have shin splints. My best suggestion would be to just warm up properly before you do more, and check your footwear, IE shoes for possible need of arch support.
That, and ice them down good immediately afterwards.
BTW, what are you doing in Minnesota?
 

Notthe7

Cherished Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Aug 13, 2007
Posts
1,086
Media
0
Likes
255
Points
468
Verification
View
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Female
I felt so much better today just having stretched before my work out. Amazingly different.

I'm in minnesota..... WELL, that's another thread lol
 

Bob Ross

Admired Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Posts
1,223
Media
2
Likes
799
Points
358
Location
New York (United States)
Verification
View
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Male
As has been said before its definitely shin splints. Not that either of these things makes me an expert but I ran track in high school and did alot of running off and on (alot last year; I was running on roads about 5 miles a day...no marathon training or anything serious but just running for long stretches). I always get/got shin splints.

Resting and stretching before hand are both obviously good ideas but if it continues to be a problem consider a few other things:

1.) I don't know if your treadmill adjusts incline and/or if you have been inclining it "uphill" but, in my experience, running uphill exacerbates the problem. It kind of adds more "leverage" to your foot, stressing the muscles at the front of the tibia.

2.) I also get "runners knee" and started taking ibuprofen last year since I literally couldn't run without it. I'm the kind of person who hates to take even relatively benign medication if I can help it but 600 - 800 mg of ibuprofen will make it so that you don't feel the pain during your running and then you can elevate your legs and ice them afterward and there won't be any pain at all. Don't take aspirin or other pain killers which are (even though safe) bad for the liver/kidneys over time. Its actually good for you since your leg muscles will build the appropriate amount of strength to deal with your new routine, which they can't do if you're in too much pain and keep stopping and starting...You can "ween" yourself off of it and not need to take it after two weeks or so.

3.) Arch support: Buy some doctor scholls which lift up the arches of your feet and make them less flat. Again, it reduces the "leverage" effect of your feet when they hit the ground.

Here's something to look over/consider:

Shin Splints Symptoms, Treatment, Recovery, and Prevention from WebMD
 
Last edited:

kenny233

Superior Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Mar 11, 2010
Posts
857
Media
158
Likes
6,908
Points
523
Verification
View
Sexuality
99% Straight, 1% Gay
Gender
Male
I have been running for a while, and I have experienced similar issues. I think many people don't realize how important long stretches are AFTER running or exercise. I usually stretch a bit before running, but a slow jog to get warmed up can be sufficient, IMO.

Long stretches after running (at least 1 min in each position), then ice, heat, and repeat if you feel sore.

Best of luck with your running, and I hope you are able to return to Texas soon!!