Every time I run it hurts my knees.

lizsmith1976

First, don't listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't run or that you may have done damage. Crazy talk.

Second, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

ANYONE can run.

Third, I agree with putting treadmill at incline. Even 0.5 or 1% will help, plus it will make it easier to transitioning to outside.

Fourth, no need to stretch anything before running, just warm up. Jumping jacks, walking, elliptical, whatever doesn't hurt your knees and gets your muscles warm. At least 5, preferably 10 minutes before you start walking. Stretching is for after. Google "static vs. dynamic stretching".

Last, if your knees hurt and you are young (profile pic looks young ) Then you probably need to strengthen your quads so that they support your knees better. That's how I got back into running after 15 year break due to knee pain and believing people who said I shouldn't run. Biking helps as do squats and some leg press, weight routines. Google "exercises to build quad strength". Biking is what worked for me. Not just happy little spins around my neighborhood, lots of spin classes plus training for a 180 mile bike ride.

I just finished my second half-marathon and my first full is in 5 weeks. I just started running again 14 months ago... Feel free to friend me if you want more running friends!

DavPul

I have this same problem :sad:

I fixed it by not running

Well I'm not going to stop, lol
I'm trying to get ready for my first run in January, it's 4 miles.

You should listen to him, he's a dr

hkulbacki

First, don't listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't run or that you may have done damage. Crazy talk.

Second, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

ANYONE can run.

Third, I agree with putting treadmill at incline. Even 0.5 or 1% will help, plus it will make it easier to transitioning to outside.

Fourth, no need to stretch anything before running, just warm up. Jumping jacks, walking, elliptical, whatever doesn't hurt your knees and gets your muscles warm. At least 5, preferably 10 minutes before you start walking. Stretching is for after. Google "static vs. dynamic stretching".

Last, if your knees hurt and you are young (profile pic looks young ) Then you probably need to strengthen your quads so that they support your knees better. That's how I got back into running after 15 year break due to knee pain and believing people who said I shouldn't run. Biking helps as do squats and some leg press, weight routines. Google "exercises to build quad strength". Biking is what worked for me. Not just happy little spins around my neighborhood, lots of spin classes plus training for a 180 mile bike ride.

I just finished my second half-marathon and my first full is in 5 weeks. I just started running again 14 months ago... Feel free to friend me if you want more running friends!

^This^ another runner (4 marathons), cyclist (century rides), and duathloner (international and half-ironman distances) here.

MoreBean13

First, don't listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't run or that you may have done damage. Crazy talk.

Are you serious? You think the possibility of damage is crazy talk? With nonspecific knee pain on a young girl? Irresponsible.

/smh

LeeWorrall88

You should never use a treadmill at 0 incline, it is not natural and bad for the legs. Always have the treadmills incline set to 1.0
This applies to everything and everyone. Walking, jogging or running.

really? why's that?

Dont remember the reason, I just remember the advice but im studying Instructing Exercise and Fitness in college and its what all the tutors tell us to tell the clients. Never have treadmills below 1.0 gradient. Ive heard from other instructors that it doesnt make much difference, but the advice from an instructors instructor.. is there

elizawe

I have this same problem :sad:

I fixed it by not running

Well I'm not going to stop, lol
I'm trying to get ready for my first run in January, it's 4 miles.

Pain is usually an indicator that something is wrong. Ignore it and knee replacements just may be in your future. I know that's hard to grasp at 18. lol

Duck_Puddle

First, don't listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't run or that you may have done damage. Crazy talk.

Are you serious? You think the possibility of damage is crazy talk? With nonspecific knee pain on a young girl? Irresponsible.

/smh

Amen. I thought my pain could be "worked through" and was due to weak muscles. Turns out I needed surgery and I may or may not ever get full function back again. Pain means something is wrong-and physicians that examine you are exceptionally qualified at determining the cause and appropriate treatment. See a doctor-before you start screwing with the incline or anything else. Missing a 4-mile run beats needing a knee replacement at age 20.

TylerJ76

First, don't listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't run or that you may have done damage. Crazy talk.

Are you serious? You think the possibility of damage is crazy talk? With nonspecific knee pain on a young girl? Irresponsible.

/smh

While I don't agree that already having done damage is crazy talk, I would also say that assuming she has damage done that may keep her from running forever is crazy talk.....We all have aches and pains, if you think it's worth going to the doctor, then go

libbymcbain

I have this same problem :sad:

I fixed it by not running

Well I'm not going to stop, lol
I'm trying to get ready for my first run in January, it's 4 miles.

You should listen to him, he's a dr

This ^^^. First time I took up running, I listened to my body and it went fine.

Second time, I did it training for a charity run, didn't listen to my body, ran on pain, worried more about the deadlines than myself. Damaged my illiotibial band and hip. Had a lot of pain for a long time.

Third time I tried to take up running, ran into ITB problems within a few weeks. Now it interferes with using a cross trainer or a stationery cycle at the gym. My doctor has told me to forget about ever taking up running as a regular form of exercise again. I have to do daily exercises 4 times a day that the physio has recommended for me.

Listen to your body. Find out what is wrong and take action to put it right, if that is possible. Let that take as long as it takes. In the meantime, stop running.

Oh and yesterday, I had to put it down on my health cover form as a pre-existing condition, so if I need a hip replacement that side when I am older, it might not be covered.

This has serious long term consequences for your mobility, your health and everything else in your life.

MoreBean13

First, don't listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't run or that you may have done damage. Crazy talk.

Are you serious? You think the possibility of damage is crazy talk? With nonspecific knee pain on a young girl? Irresponsible.

/smh

While I don't agree that already having done damage is crazy talk, I would also say that assuming she has damage done that may keep her from running forever is crazy talk.....We all have aches and pains, if you think it's worth going to the doctor, then go

I don't think anyone did suggest that she has done damage that will keep her from running forever? If I missed that post I apologize. The proper thing to do is figure out WHY she is having pain and not to just run through it, which has the potential of causing damage. There may be innocuous reasons for the pain, but there's serious risk in assuming that it's innocuous. Joint damage is not worth messing with.

sirabe

see a dr to make sure no real damage has been done and get a foam roller. That really helped me and my IT band. Plus cross training to help build those muscles around the knee

longtimeterp

First, don't listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't run or that you may have done damage. Crazy talk.

Started running last july 2011, first 5k end of august, first half marathon beginning of november, FIRST KNEE SURGERY JANUARY 2012...

Slow down, and walk a 1/4 mile whenever your kness hurt,, it's your body's way of saying NO GOOD! i can now run 10 miles w/o compression tights and 15 with them. Did this by stregnthing the leg after surgery and listening to my body when i run. Ive been over 30miles since friday so its doable, just be careful and GO SLOW

meeper123

Does it really really hurt or is it just your body whining? It normally takes at least 2 miles for my body stops its grumblings. Does it burn after? If so is it burning or just an ache? Burn= bad ache= cross train and new shoes. I would see a doc just to be save. I just tough it out most of the time myself though.

workout_junkee

How many miles are on your running shoes? Knee pain is my #1 indicator that it is time for new shoes. Make sure they are fit buy a running specialist. There are. alot of great shoes out there that will cause pain if they are not right for you.

My other uggestions would be make sure you are warming up and not to do too much too fast.

If you still have problems go to the doctor and get it checked out.

dsjohndrow

Lots of possibilities.
1 You need better shoes fitted by a running store.
2 You need inserts in your shoes.
3 You need to hydrate better.
4 You need to have better leg strength.
5 you may need joint supplements (Glucosamine/Chondroitin) which work for some people.
6 you may need to change up your training until you recover.
7 You may need surgery.

To properly run you need to walk without pain, and then run short distances without pain. I am all for checking it out with a doctor who treats sports injuries.

There are a lot of people who will tell you not to run. I have had all sorts of injuries. I also had knee surgery. You can beat this is if you work at it.

ExplorinLauren

Listen to everyone here... because you are looking for ideas, possible causes/ reasons, different perspectives, things to change..... etc.
Now that you have that... and heard to make an incline/push yourself/slow down/ get fitted for shoes/ stop stretching... etc....(Which are all good ideas, but still just ideas)

See a Dr. Then get a 2nd opinion if needed. lol

sevsmom

Pain is an indicator that you're doing something wrong. If your mom is an awesome runner, why don't you ask her advice. Surely she could watch your form and see if she notices something amiss.

I recommend seeing a sports medicine doc or someone who specializes in athletic injuries. My sports medicine doc gave me some simple moves to improve the strength around my knee, and some awesome stretches. I find my legs get their worst when i've neglected to keep up with my "routine".

I love distance running. . .couple of halfs, a 15k, many many 5Ks. . .so, I wouldn't stop running altogether due to pain, but I would slow up, get yourself to a doc, and work on building miles and speed at a reasonable pace. Don't think you're gonna go out and knock out 4 miles if you can't do 1 without pain. My 50+ year old coworker thought he could do that an paid dearly for a week after his 4 miler!! He listens to me. . . now!

Good luck, Dear. Running is awesome, when it doesn't hurt!!

Funsoaps

Same thing happened to me, I kept ignoring it and kept going for weeks and weeks, then now my knee is incapable of running, I just had Xrays and now an MRI this week to figure it all out. hoooo hum, sucks! I would prob not keep going if I had to do it over again, but I didn't want to stop!

TrailRunner61

First, Id see a Dr. and find out what is going on.

Do you use a cushioned treadmill? They are better for your feet and knees. However, if you only use a treadmill exclusively then decide to go run 4 miles outside, you may have a hard time. There is a big difference. Make sure you run outside some BEFORE your race.

Slow down. Set your incline at 1.5. You can add speed after you reach your distance goal. I did c25k and actually only jogged 3.5mph! I know I'm short and that's probably why I could, but maybe you can try to run as slow as possible to avoid injury and build strength gradually.

If you just started running, you may have to re-evaluate your goals and run in a race at a later date. It's not worth it to get an injury that ruins running for you completely!

Are you running every day? You need rest days for your body to heal and become stronger.

Can you ride a bike or exercise bike? It helps strengthen the muscles around the knee to support them. Maybe do that on your rest days or some other kind of cross training.

Warm up for 10 minutes or so by walking fast, THEN do your stretching. It is no longer advised to stretch BEFORE your warm up. You can do more damage than not stretching at all. Muscles need to be 'warmed up' first. Get that blood moving, then stretch. Are you stretching correctly? A Dr. or sports medicine Dr. should be able to help you with that, or if you decide to NOT see a Dr., at least look them up online and make sure you are doing them right. You don't want to bounce or stretch until you feel pain. A gentle stretch is what helps.

Good luck and I hope you dont have anything serious going on!

Again, I'd see a Dr. to find out what is going on before you do anymore damage and you get sidelined for a LONG time. Then do what he/she suggests. If they say rest, do it!

dsjohndrow

You should never use a treadmill at 0 incline, it is not natural and bad for the legs. Always have the treadmills incline set to 1.0
This applies to everything and everyone. Walking, jogging or running.

really? why's that?

Dont remember the reason, I just remember the advice but im studying Instructing Exercise and Fitness in college and its what all the tutors tell us to tell the clients. Never have treadmills below 1.0 gradient. Ive heard from other instructors that it doesnt make much difference, but the advice from an instructors instructor.. is there

It has to do with the angle of the ankle. A slight incline takes the stress of the Achilles and helps avoid heal strikes. When you run on the street you can give a very slight lean forward to accomplish this.