Gah, what is causing this?! (Read 504 times)

For almost a month I have been dealing with left knee weakness and pain at the start of my runs (started after a few runs on unplowed snow and ice...but we have had warmer, clear weather now for several weeks). Then as I keep running the pain seems to travel down the side of my calf and around to my achilles/lower calf. Last Saturday I did a long run and had really no problems and thought maybe I was finally rid of these issues, but they have returned for my last couple of runs. I am now down to only 3 runs/week, at most, giving myself 2 days off between runs...but this is getting ridiculous. I don't have much in the way of pain or weakness in any of these areas EXCEPT when I run. I replaced my shoes at around ~250 miles (which is when I replaced my first pair of shoes when I started having nagging pains--first time I did that it worked) with the same model I previously had, thinking that would help...and at first I thought it was helping, but now I'm not so sure. And the left leg issues are compounded by the recurrent numb right foot issues I've had occasionally for a few months, now (I think that issue is very likely chronic compartment syndrome based upon my symptoms and long history of painfully tight, hard calves). Is it possible I have the wrong shoes (New Balance 1222)? I can't imagine this would be the case, as I happily ran a half marathon in this model and really had no pain issues with my shoes until after the snow running episodes. These are shoes for moderate to severe pronators. My arches are average to even slightly flat. My previous shoes were NB 845s for mild-to-moderate pronators, but I seemed to have more shin splint issues with those. Nov. was a horrendous month for running due to my FIL's death and lots of time spent traveling by car and not able to run...I had really hoped that Dec. would make up for the previous month, but so far it's just been pretty miserable. I'm almost starting to dread January, since I know the weather is likely to get pretty bad, now. I NEED a good month. k

Yeah, the shoe thing didn't seem too likely, particularly when I've been quite happy with them (enough to buy a second pair and not really even consider any other models, even though they aren't a cheap shoe). I still can't figure out why some of my runs are almost entirely pain-free, then the issues return. And I don't really have much in the way of pain or discomforts when I'm not running, which makes things extra frustrating when I take my first step and instantly feel that things are "off" and uncomfortable. I have an appt. with my PCP as a follow-up to my allergy treatments on 1/9, so if this is still an issue I will ask him. Luckily he is very active in sports (on several occasions he has been on crutches from various snowboarding injuries and my hubby has seen him out on his bike and biked along with him for a few miles, too) and might have some ideas or know who to refer me to if I need additional care. I think I will be keeping my ass on the sofa from now on if there's measurable snow on the ground. I may think about seeing if the little fitness club in town offers month-to-month memberships if we hit a long snowy stretch, that way I can at least use a treadmill or elliptical. k