running and knee/muscle soreness

ddiestler

I'm not new to exercise..Been about a year now. Recently I've been training for a 5k. I completed the 5k a few weeks ago. The problem is, now that I'm doing more running my left knee/muscle is really sore. Is it something that just needs to work its way out or something else.

I'm running 3x's a week and doing elliptical the other days to still get exercise in. I find if I take ibuporphen it helps, but, I don't want to live on that either.

I purchased a knee brace as well to maybe stabilize the knee.

I have a good pair of shoes from which I was fitted for at a running specialty store.

I don't want to "rest" as I've worked hard to be able to run and its so easy to lose it.. Any suggestions/advice would be very much appreciated it

Dawn

tiptoeketo

Sounds like you have runner's knee.

ddiestler

What is runners knee? And, How do I get rid of it?

kbwdad

You may have Patella Tendenitis which is the inflammation of the tendon that attaches to your knee cap and somehere on the bone in the front of your leg. I have it and occasionally wear a patella strap. I'm no doctor, I researched the web about it and found some stretching exercises which help. I figure if it gets bad enough I'll see a doctor.

ddiestler

Ok thanks.. thats kind of where I'm at too.. It's not so bad I think I need to go in.. I think like other ailments related to exercise it will just take time to adjust. When I take ibuprophen I'm able to run on it again..without it, no so much.. I am enjoying running so much that I just don't wan to slow down..LOL

Thanks for the info

lovestobaketoo

get a foam roller and roll on it on your thighs, hams and glutes. Also a band to stretch your legs too. Another that will keep up your cardio and not hurt your knee is swimming, give that a try for a week or two and see how your knee is after that. GOOD LUCK!!

3dogsrunning

Ok thanks.. thats kind of where I'm at too.. It's not so bad I think I need to go in.. I think like other ailments related to exercise it will just take time to adjust. When I take ibuprophen I'm able to run on it again..without it, no so much.. I am enjoying running so much that I just don't wan to slow down..LOL

Thanks for the info

Are you taking the ibuprofen before running? If so, you should not. It is really hard on your stomach when you do. I would take the ibuprofen when you get home and ice as well as the other suggestions. For me, when I upped my mileage and started feeling sore, the ice went a long way. 20 minutes on, 40 minutes off. Repeat a few times. Don't put the ice directly on the skin (just in case, you don't know, not trying to be a jerk).

Code

I will tell you what my doctor told me when I was having aches, pains and soreness.......stretch, stretch and stretch some more. Do a 5 minute warm up and stretch thoroughly for at least 5 minutes....then get into your regular workout. After you finish your workout stretch again for at least 5 minutes. When you wake up the next morning stretch again before you start your day (and if you can before you go to sleep). The more soreness I felt the more I stretched.I did this consistently for 2 weeks and the soreness and pain went away ( I run about 20 miles every week).

emmab0902

There is a group for those of us with knee problems

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/680-kneeding-support

deekaydee

I second the foam roller recommendation, I have been using one to release my IT band and it has helped dramatically with my knee pain.