Jogging for years....now its starting to hurt.

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So I've been jogging for years, on and off the treadmill (mostly treadmill). I'm female, 39, 5'4" 150 lbs, and my goal weight is 140. (that's what I plateau at) I just recently bought a treadmill for my home and of course, after that huge purchase ($1700.00) My feet start acting up. I broke my left foot when I was 14, that's starting to act up, and I have what looks to be the beginnings of a bunion on my right. I am good running for a few days, then it just gets too painful and I have to stop and gain all the damn weight back. some advice on "keeping going" would be much appreciated.

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  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
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    Time to switch to the bike!
  • tcaley4
    tcaley4 Posts: 416 Member
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    +1 on the bike.
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
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    More rest days or alternative exercise days.
  • mommyof4cpa
    mommyof4cpa Posts: 82 Member
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    I broke my leg 7 years ago and will never have full range of motion in my left ankle. Can you increase the incline from flat on the treadmill? I use ours and run/walk at 2% grade and no longer suffer from knee, back or foot problems.
  • jodycoady
    jodycoady Posts: 598 Member
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    Thanks everyone.....I love the idea of a bike, I'll have to get an outdoor bike, my husband will not let me buy any more equipment just now!! I'm just going to quit running for a while and just walk at an incline.
  • KathyApplebaum
    KathyApplebaum Posts: 188 Member
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    +1 for finding alternate exercises, and also I'd strongly recommend a visit to the podiatrist. I was afraid he'd tell me "just don't run", but he got my heel and ankle problems sorted out amazingly fast.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,952 Member
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    Are your shoes old? Maybe replace them.
  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
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    jodycoady wrote: »
    Thanks everyone.....I love the idea of a bike, I'll have to get an outdoor bike, my husband will not let me buy any more equipment just now!! I'm just going to quit running for a while and just walk at an incline.

    You can use an outdoor bike in the home with something like the CycleOps. At the very least, having another form for cardio - especially a low impact one like cycling - will keep you on track with your weight if and when your foot/ankle is causing you pain from the running/walking.

  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
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    take rest days
    check your shoes
    check your incline
    take rest days
    bike-if that's your cup of tea
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,868 Member
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    foot issues (plantar fasciitis & posterior tibial tendonitis) are the primary reasons i started riding...totally fell in love with cycling. I still begrudgingly do a little running to cross train, but I primarily ride.

    i would also recommend seeing a podiatrist.
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
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    +1 on the shoes. I started to have a lot of pain running and it turned out to be my sandals that I was walking in after work. Stopped using them and was back to normal. I always replace my running shoes at about 425 miles but thats road running. I have no idea if that is the same for treadmill running.
  • TrailNurse
    TrailNurse Posts: 359 Member
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    I was running over the summer and injured my IT band. Bought new running shoes....didn't help. Switched to jumping rope and dropped 2 lbs. :#
  • Tblackdogs
    Tblackdogs Posts: 324 Member
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    Go to a podiatrist. You might have a physiological need for custom made orthotics. You also might need some therapy. I had a similar situation and a couple months of physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around my right knee (I was getting a bunion on my right foot) got rid of the pain. Now I religiously buy good running shoes designed for my style of running and always wear my orthotics. No more pain.
  • fiddletime
    fiddletime Posts: 1,862 Member
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    I just went to the podiatrist Monday after 6 weeks of pretty severe big toe joint pain. He called my treadmill the "over use machine". Had X-rays to rule out micro fracture. I have a suddenly painful bunion exacerbated by developing "turf toe" doing burpees most likely (I love burpees too, figures). Also plantar fasciitis which I was dealing with. I now have prescription orthotics that go under the insert in my shoes. It's hard plastic and raises my arches. Cost about $39. They help keep your arch from sagging, which leads to the bunion.

    I also now have a $300 small upright stationary bike sitting quietly beside my treadmill in the living room. I've never been a biker but love the cardio and can barely keep off it. After 6 weeks the pain is much less, but without the orthotics and less treadmill, would flare up again, or more frequently. My doctor also didn't suggest I stop exercising, or even the treadmill. They also tested me for gout (funny, because I've always worked out and weigh 125). They said it could be genetic, but I was negative for it.