Went running & now I can't touch my toes!

sheclimbsrocks

I am an active person. I bike about 8 miles per day and I climb about 3 days per week. However, I decided that I need more cardio, so I went for an 18 minute run for two days in a row.

It was great, and I am happy that I had the stamina to do this. However, now I am so stiff & achey. I am having sciatic pain and cannot even touch my toes now.

Any tips for someone breaking into running on how not to tighten up? I have always had very stiff muscles in my legs and very little hip flexibility. But this is painful and ridiculous!

LoraF83

Yoga is your friend. I do at least one session of yoga per week. Stretch well after every run. Get a foam roller as well - they work wonders.

Go slow and keep it short. Don't add too much distance. You may be fit and active, but it's ok to ease into this. Also, give yourself rest days between runs.

RGv2

What was your warm-up?

savvystephy

Agreed. Foam roallers and yoga. I have very tight hips as it is, and running always tightens them up more. Pigeon pose is my ultimate favorite for hips stretch.

Stretching after running does help. Include the pigeon (can do it standing), quad, calf, arms, shoulders, etc stretching into your running routine.

JenRun1

A warm up and stretching is necessary. Plus running is using muscles you may not have used in the past so they are just now getting tested. Ease into it.

sheclimbsrocks

I had no warm up. I just started running out my front door. Then I walked for about 15 minutes after running. I did do some stretching afterward, but it obviously was not enough, right?

LokiOfAsgard

Make sure you stretch after!
And make sure you're running with proper form

tavenne323

I force myself to run twice a week (between 1-3 miles because I hate it), I do a lot of yoga and biking...and right after I run I can never touch my toes. I always foam roll or spend some extra time stretching after I run.

AllonsYtotheTardis

I do a lot of stretching afterwards - it helps.

RGv2

Agreed. Foam roallers and yoga. I have very tight hips as it is, and running always tightens them up more. Pigeon pose is my ultimate favorite for hips stretch.

Stretching after running does help. Include the pigeon (can do it standing), quad, calf, arms, shoulders, etc stretching into your running routine.

I would agree stretching after CAN help. Wouldn't say does.

I would also identify stretching as well. When you say "stretch", many new to the term or activity automatically think of static stretches from the last century.

ldrosophila

I dont know if you have access to a physical therapist, but they really helped me improve my form and gave me some nice exercise to lengthen and stretch my leg muscles. I have very tight hamstrings.

Oh and ditto on stretching afterwards PT told me that was crucial

HealthyVitamins

I had no warm up. I just started running out my front door. Then I walked for about 15 minutes after running. I did do some stretching afterward, but it obviously was not enough, right?

I would suggest a warm up, I do a 5 minute walk to warm up, and a 5 minute walk to cool down, it helps me.

polo571

Get a foam roller and roll out those IT bands, hamstrings and calves

tigersword

I dont know if you have access to a physical therapist, but they really helped me improve my form and gave me some nice exercise to lengthen and stretch my leg muscles. I have very tight hamstrings.

Oh and ditto on stretching afterwards PT told me that was crucial

Stretch, maybe, but muscles are attached to bones, they will not lengthen. Length is set at birth by where the muscles attach.

sheclimbsrocks

What are these foam rollers that everyone keeps suggesting?

RGv2

I dont know if you have access to a physical therapist, but they really helped me improve my form and gave me some nice exercise to lengthen and stretch my leg muscles. I have very tight hamstrings.

Oh and ditto on stretching afterwards PT told me that was crucial

Stretch, maybe, but muscles are attached to bones, they will not lengthen. Length is set at birth by where the muscles attach.

^^This, not sure about crucial.... I haven't "stretched" post cardio in over a decade (if ever).

beancurdie

I think you've gotten enough advice about stretching, so I'll ask about your shoes. How old are they and have you been properly fitted for running shoes?

sheclimbsrocks

My sneakers are new New Balance. I don't know a thing about running shoes, but they are comfortable. I did go running once in a pair of shoes without much cushion, and it killed my knees. These are better shoes.

SoDamnHungry

After a few days I always feel better and stop hurting. The first first are always a little rough.

Mother_Superior

stretch, walk, run, walk, stretch

RGv2

stretch, walk, run, walk, stretch

Again, define "stretch" prior to.

There's a big difference in dynamic and static stretching, especially when cold prior to exercise.

I'd say dynamic stretch before.

geebusuk

Embrace the stiffness!

While it does get annoying, I kinda like it as it reminds me I actually 'worked' the day before - more annoying when I can hardly walk down stairs however .

I found that after a few weeks of running it mostly went - at least if I wasn't really pushing myself.

smarionette

Warm up. I tend to walk at a brisk pace for 5 minutes or a quarter mile, whichever comes first (some days one, some days the other). I also HIGHLY recommend yoga. I do it once a week, but when I was just starting back into fitness did it 2-3 times a week and it made a huge difference in keeping my body limber.