I love to run....but my legs

ericatoday

I started running almost a year ago. I've grown to love it and do it a lot 3+ times a week I try to hit 5+ miles each time.

I have my second half marathon in June to train for but for the past month or so my legs just hurt. Like not my calves but lower they hurt to the touch not like the feeling of a sore muscle after a workout. They hurt to touch and when I run I also get this shooting feeling that runs up the front of my leg. I bought new shoes in November but the pain started at the very end of December maybe beginning of January.

Could it be my shoes? Or wtf if going on?

Advice is needed because I love to run but I can't do it in pain.

Hello_its_Dan

Go to the doctor

ccsernica

Tendonitis, maybe? A doctor can tell you.

Bites_2017

Sounds like tibial stress syndrome (shin spilts). Google the symptoms and causes and see if it fits.

Rest and ice is the treatment. It doesn't sound like your over training, perhaps you need better shoes or lessen your stride.

dgreed123

I agree that it sounds like shin splints. I've had shin splints before when running, and it is quite painful. On days when it happened to me, I ended up walking instead of running. Not as much fun though.

ericatoday

The shin splints makes sense for the pain in the front of my left leg. But doesn't really explain the awful pain in the back of both of my legs. I thought shin splints were just the front.

Would I need a specialty doctor or is my nor.all doctor fine?

Dreamcrusher16

@ericatoday it's hard to say, but it could be shoes, could be shin splints, could just be overuse. If you rest does it get better? Do you rotate shoes or is it the same shoes? Trails or sidewalk?

ericatoday

@Dreamcrusher16 I don't rotate shoes. Ands its mostly sidewalk and some trails. I tried resting for a week but it didn't do anything.maybe I should rest longer but its hard because I love it so much

jgnatca

Shin splints. You may need special inserts for your shoes. My daughter is vulnerable to them and she says it helps to modify her gait. Anything to keep from letting it get worse.

Don't ignore it.

ninerbuff

So near your ankles but in the rear? That's where the Achilles tendon runs and it's NOT UNCOMMON to over use it and get tendinitis. REST is your best bet.
Google Achilles Tendinitis.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ericatoday

@ninerbuff thank you I'll look it up

ninerbuff

When mine started to act up, I switched to bike riding for awhile. Definitely reduced the tendinitis. And now I'm back to running again, albeit I don't run that far anymore. 2-3 miles and that's it for me. I still switch back and forth though. I've come to like bike riding.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

lorrpb

It could be your shoes. It can take awhile for shoe issues to show up. I was fitted with incorrect shoes by a running shoe store twice! Another tine, two shoe stores recommended completely different types of shoes with different arches for me on the same day. It's crazy.

ericatoday

@ninerbuff yeah I might have to do that but I hate riding my bike. I like long distance running. I use to do 8-10 miles a day until it got cold so I pulled back.

Dreamcrusher16

@ericatoday I'd start by getting fit for a second pair of good running shoes

ericatoday

@Dreamcrusher16 I can't afford new running shoes. I went there on Tuesday and I just can't do it.

ericatoday

@lorrpb I definitely think its my shoes. I didn't have this problem with my last shoes but my old shoes my toes are too long and gives them blisters but my legs never hurt until about 2 months after my new shoes.

Dreamcrusher16

Barefoot running is all the rage .... not that I'm a fan lol. I don't think that was meant for 200lb+ people

ericatoday

@Dreamcrusher16 I can't do that haha that is not meant for long distances especially for people with super high arches like me. I need support. I think that's my shoes problem is they're too flat. They're good for short distances. I made a mistake with shoes not knowing what I was buying haha.

Dreamcrusher16

Well I'm definitely no long distance runner. my job gave me a horse for long runs

juliet3455

ericatoday wrote: »

I bought new shoes in November but the pain started at the very end of December maybe beginning of January. Could it be my shoes? Or wtf if going on?
Advice is needed because I love to run but I can't do it in pain.

@ericatoday The new shoes, are they the same model as the old ones or a different model? Same drop?
For me the Cause and Effect Alarm goes off when you say you bought new shoes and then a month later pain started as you yourself pointed out

ericatoday wrote: »

@lorrpb I definitely think its my shoes. I didn't have this problem with my last shoes but my old shoes my toes are too long and gives them blisters but my legs never hurt until about 2 months after my new shoes.

You mentioned that the you have High Arches and just can't afford new shoes at this moment, maybe ask your Favorite Shoe Store if they have any of last years models available at discount. Most of the shoes in my closet are from " last years model " clear out sale so they are good value. Do you have a Running Room or Fleet Feet store available ?

Remember these key words that another runner mentioned once " New Shoes are cheaper than Medical Treatment "

ericatoday

@juliet3455 no they're a different model. Idk what my first brand was they were just a cheap pair of nikes but for my birthday I decided to by myself some more expensive Nike flex and now my legs hurt so I definitely think its the shoe. Its gotta be since I haven't changed anything else.

ericatoday

Thank you everyone. Its most likely my shoes I knew this so idk why I ask questions I already know the answers to. I'll be resting my legs and saving up for new shoes. Stupid passions always hitting my wallet.

Thank you guys I appreciate it.

SierraFatToSkinny

Contact Nike, explain the situation, and get an exchange.

They have good customer service.

TrueFinalBoss

Sounds like shin splints. However, shin splints tend to be a blanket term for any of several underlying issues. As a cover all, I will suggest several things. I suffer shin splints horribly, to the point that I feel like I never get cardio when I run because my shins are a limiting factor.

1) Strengthen your ankles with those fancy elastic bands. people with pronating ankles tend to suffer more so from shin splints. Be conscious of your stride and rolling heel-toe as you run, no stomping.

2) Make sure you stretch your calves and warm up your legs before and after each run. Sometimes assisting your feet in a flex position is comforting. Rolling a lacrosse ball along your shins and feet helps comfort too.

3) Sometimes shin splints are literally microfractures, and as we get older our diet is more important for healthy bones. Drink less caffeine, get some sun, eat more potassum, calcium and vitamin K. Keep hydrated, take daily vitamins if you are into that sort of thing.

4) Find proper shoes, or get new shoes. Track the mileage on your shoes or insoles, because running shoes and everyday-shoes wear down differently. We judge everyday shoes by how stained they are, or worn down the soles are. Running shoes wear down inside where the insole is before walking can take a toll. There are also those fancy machines that can tell you exactly which insoles would work best for you regardless of shoe brand. I have wide feet and found wider shoes allowing my toes to spread cushioned my footfall.

5) Rest. When shin splints are not the bone with microfractures... it is literally just your muscles in a thin layer overly inflammed. Apparently when we change up our routines or go too hard in a short amount of time our body overreacts. Let your calf-game catch up to your upper body. I had to cut down my daily running to running only two days at a time with a break in between when I first started running on concrete with hills.

MeanderingMammal

ericatoday wrote: »

... Nike flex...

There's your answer. They're not appropriate if you need a support or motion control shoe.

WeepingAngel81

When I first started running, I had visible bruises on my legs. I went to a running store, and they had me walk on a treadmill. They measured my feet, they could see where my foot would strike the ground, my stride, etc. they recommended a shoe that would work best, and it made all the difference in the world! I've gone back once since because the first time was 5 years ago and the shoes they suggested weren't being made anymore.

JennyHsavage

ericatoday wrote: »

I started running almost a year ago. I've grown to love it and do it a lot 3+ times a week I try to hit 5+ miles each time.

I have my second half marathon in June to train for but for the past month or so my legs just hurt. Like not my calves but lower they hurt to the touch not like the feeling of a sore muscle after a workout. They hurt to touch and when I run I also get this shooting feeling that runs up the front of my leg. I bought new shoes in November but the pain started at the very end of December maybe beginning of January.

Could it be my shoes? Or wtf if going on?

Advice is needed because I love to run but I can't do it in pain.

Could be dehydrated, happened my friend she was always getting bad cramps but turned out she wasn't drinking water properly.

girlwithcurls2

Depending on your shoe needs, you might find something that will work for you online. I have bought several pair of reduced running shoes from Sierra Trading Post. They don't always have what I need (I need a high stability shoe), but I have been able to find some great deals, and it's helped my wallet significantly. Have a look. Hopefully there is something that will work for you!

ericatoday

Thank you everyone. I'm going to have to suck it up and rest my legs for a week or two and buy new shoes once those tax returns come in haha. I can't live without running. Thank you for all your support and advice.

vespiquenn

After reading this and seeing no mention of getting fitted, I think that's your problem. Some people can go out and buy a pair of shoes and have no problems. It sounds like you aren't one of those people. You say yourself that you need support.

I think it's time to save some money and invest in a good pair of shoes after getting a gait analysis done at a speciality shop. In the long run (no pun intended), you will save money instead of going through shoes that cause pain. Even new models of old shoes aren't always the same and cause issues to arise. Better to be safe than sorry.