So frustrated right now.... (Read 958 times)

Hi Derek, I just took a peek at your log, and you are going to be able to run. You will not be one of those people whose knees always bug them. You already got past that stage. Those folks usually cant get started. Looking at your log, I think I know what happened. In October, you were running 15-18 miles a week. In November you ran 22-25 miles a week. Now your body is angry. I think we have all made the same mistake - things are going well, so we do just a little more, not realizing that maybe that little is too much, and pushes us over the edge. Now you are injured and need to let your legs heal. I know it is frustrating, but you will get over this. Unfortunately, it takes time. And patience. I personally dont have much of either these days, so I know how frustrated you must be. You may also benefit from new shoes, if you havent tried that recently. No, I dont work for a shoe-company. But new shoes have solved my problems two out of two times now. Run short. Really short. Shorter than you have run in years (or at least months). Try half a mile or a mile. If that goes well, great. Stop. Take the next day off and then do it again. Take another day off and repeat again. Then on week two add a little bit to it - like maybe go to 1 mile from a half, or 1.5 from 1 mile. I know this sounds ridiuclously slow when you want to run long, but it may be what you need now. Your legs will tell you if you are going too fast. You also have several weeks where you run 3-6 days in a row. I personally need to take days off between runs. I can get away with two days in a row, maybe three if they are easy, but if I dont alternate consistantly, my knees complain. Maybe some day I will be able to run 5 days in a row, but for now I need that time between runs. Something to think about. Remember, your goal is to run a marathon in a year, right? You dont have to get there this month or even next month. I am sure you will get there, you just need to be patient with yourself.

I hear you Derek. I have the same fears as you. I find it hard to control myself, to take it easy, to stop pushing myself. I like how running makes me feel, and I want more. I think abbaroodle is right. You need to have patience. Patience in your training and patience in your recovery. You're situation reminds me of the following quote: "You must listen to your body. Run through annoyance but not through pain." - George Sheehan

I have the same fears as you. I find it hard to control myself, to take it easy, to stop pushing myself. I like how running makes me feel, and I want more.

You're right, the more I run, the more I want to run further and faster. I realized 1-2 months ago that I'm almost addicted to the progress. I absolutely love being able to run further and further and faster and faster week after week and I had come to realize the more I push, the more I improve. I guess that's why this injury is so hard. All I can think of is whether I can continue running and going further and faster and also how much is this injury going to set me back. This is an excellent exercise in patience....something I'm not very good at :-) And to think my injury is actually pretty minor compared to some injuries I read about. I've heard about people that had to take MONTHS off from running.

I have never heard of treadmills causing injuries. On the contrary, they're supposed to be easier on your legs:

I read that running on a treadmill sometimes causes you to change your gait and thus possibly lead to injury. Also, the first time the pain started was after the first time I used the treadmill. Whereas I ran 10 miles in the new shoes prior to that without any problems. Of course., my problem is that the 2 events are so close together, I can't be sure which is at fault. I don't know if you ever notice when you try to walk too fast or briskly, sometimes the top of the ankle/bottom of the shin sometimes hurt? That's the exact pain I actually have.

A shoe issue sounds more likely. Did you like your old shoes? One bit of advice I've heard is that if you find a pair of shoes you like, stick with them (i.e., by several pairs while they're still available).

I was starting to get some IT band pain in the shoes I was initially running it. These were shoes that I had picked out myself from Sports Authority when I first started They had 250 miles on them so I figured I need to change them, but I thought it best to get fitted in a running store. The sales person told me the shoes I were using were for motion control whereas I have neutral feet and that the original shoes could be the source of my problem. She fitted me with cushioning shoes. I have since bought another pair of my original shoes, but I haven't had a chance to try them as yet since I can't run.

You got brand new shoes and then went out and ran 10 miles on them? Did I read that right? Well, that might be your problem right there. Shoes need a little breaking in - and so do your feet. Most people I know wear their running shoes around for a few days, maybe go to the mall or take the dog for a walk ... and then do a couple easy, short runs first. For now, try alternating in your older shoes. And like everyone says - take it easy, speed demon. Considering you planned on running Boston the day you took your first steps, and then ran quite a bit of mileage while losing 50 pounds, it's not surprising you're hurting. Ease back into it. And heavy cross-training can keep you in fine shape; I know tri-athletes who only run a couple times a week, but they can run faster than I ever will - because the swimming and biking keeps their fitness level so high. Good luck to you!

You got brand new shoes and then went out and ran 10 miles on them? Did I read that right? Well, that might be your problem right there. Shoes need a little breaking in - and so do your feet. Most people I know wear their running shoes around for a few days, maybe go to the mall or take the dog for a walk ... and then do a couple easy, short runs first. For now, try alternating in your older shoes.

I think that's a good suggestion, too. I just got new shoes, myself...same model as my previous shoes. But I limited my first run in them to just 5 easy miles in them, mainly because they are so much stiffer than my old ones. Also to let them stretch where they need to stretch and mold to my feet a bit better. After the first couple of runs they feel almost exactly like my old ones did (only with more cushion and support). I still wouldn't rule out the treadmill possibility, either. I have had an issue with my left calf ever since running on slippery, snowy terrain last week. I was forced to run really awkwardly for several miles on several days...I also had a few "oh shit" moments when I had to catch myself from slipping, so I think it's a muscle tension issue. I would think that running on a treadmill and changing your gait may have caused a few muscles to tense up differently. Maybe do a shortish run in your old shoes to see if that helps any. At least you might be able to pinpoint if it's indeed a shoe issue. If it is, can you return the new shoes and find something closer to your original pair? Most good running stores will stand behind their fittings and products. k

NB: I did not say your shoes were your problem. Or getting new ones was your solution. But that was something to think about and you may benefit. Then again, you may not. If you do take off until the New Year, the same advice holds: start back in slowly. Very short distances a few days a week with days off between. You can run a mile and then hop on the elliptical to maintain cardio endurance if you want. I know how frustrated you are. I have only been at this for a year, and I get really cranky when I havent run in a couple days. I must have sent Trent some really nasty e-mails when he politely and innocently asked why I hadnt been on a group run in a while and invited me to come out. (Sorry Trent! But you did have great advice and I appreciated your looking past my frustration and venting!)