Returning to running; your thoughts requested on 2 points

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sparkylives
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:12 pm

Returning to running; your thoughts requested on 2 points

Post by sparkylives »

Hi fellow runners!

I'd like to get your thoughts on a couple of things.

I've just started on the programme. Did W1 last week.

I did W1R3 on the 23rd, W2R1 on the 24th (against the app's advice). Am feeling good so I want to do W2R2 tonight.

I believe my running posture is good. Body upright, knees point straight ahead, I land on the balls of my feet, and kick off with them in a smooth motion.

However, my body is giving me some mixed signals. While walking to the running path/warming up and during the first few walks between the runs, I feel some pain in my knees and around my ankles. The pain goes away after a while, and it is never present during the run.

I'm inclined to think that this pain is more of the sort "my joints have not done this in a while and are getting into it" rather than "this is a warning sign." So far, when I've gone walking (rather than running) this has proven right.

However, given that running is, IMO, a totally different animal, I'd like to get your thoughts on these, especially if you've experienced similar (and I recognise that you may or may not be an appropriately certified professional, and that you're simply offering an opinion):

1. I think that I should give my body a decent push into running. Resting 1 or more days when I don't need it only serves to let my body fall back into its old rhythm and that makes it so much harder to restart. That is to say, I'll do the next run when I feel like it (even if I've run the past few days).

2. Pains that come and go are to be expected. The way my body moves in reaction to environmental factors may cause brief episodes that I can easily recover from. However, when a pain stays, or recurs, I will give it the necessary attention. That's to say, I'll ignore any pain unless it stays or it returns regularly.

Thanks! :)

About me: 41, overweight, lots of stamina, moderately flat-footed, male, Chinese.
Digbycat
Posts: 71
Joined: Fri May 18, 2012 11:52 am

Re: Returning to running; your thoughts requested on 2 point

Post by Digbycat »

Hi Sparky.

Please don't underestimate the power of the rest days. The early enthusiasm is great but you don't want to reach a point where the pain doesn't go away and you have to have a couple of weeks.

The days off allow your muscles to build up - there are loads of things going on behind the scenes in our bodies and you have to give them time to recover. Why don't you try something that uses different muscles like cycling or swimming.

D x
Murzyck
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 5:16 am

Re: Returning to running; your thoughts requested on 2 point

Post by Murzyck »

Hi there,

I felt the same pain in my shins and ankles at the end of week 2. I felt super disheartened but took about a week and a half hiatus. I finally did week 3 today and had no pain this time. Such a better experience overall when you're not in pain.

Give your body some time to heal. It's not used to your new lifestyle! Happy running!
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