Running Pain

Monze1

So I'm a newbie at this running thing. As in I've never, ever done it before.
I've lost 40+kgs and decided I wanted to conquer jogging/running! It's the one thing I've found the most daunting, and impossible. And I'd like it to not be so impossible!
I did my first day of Couch to 5k yesterday, and today my shins are killing me! I generally bike ride, or use the cross trainer and I weight train, so I didn't expect as much pain as I'm currently receiving. haha
I do have decent running shoes, I do warm up and stretch, I was running on a compacted rubble track (I live on a farm, and running on the roads is out of the question this time of year with heavy machinery and what not) and I am terribly flat footed, which has caused me trouble all my life really.
Can anyone shed some light on how to reduce this pain? Is it just a matter of taking a teaspoon of cement and hardening up? haha Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Staffygirl88

when you run are you hitting the ground with your heel first?
if i run heel first i get shin pain, but no pain if i hit the ground with the ball of my foot instead. and also just make sure you stretch properly first

LittleMissRainey

I'm a novice runner also (out with injury just now though) and I've heard that a good tip for someone starting out is to run on grass - it's slightly softer than gravel and less hard on the joints.

Congrats getting started! :drinker:

Monze1

ThatItalianGi: I'm not really sure how my foot hits the ground! I'll be sure to pay attention next time though. Thank you!

BigFatChump: I don't have a big enough lawn area to run on! But I did think about running in one of the paddocks, slightly softer running on dirt, right? But then I'm worried about the clumps of dirt and holes I could roll my ankle on Thank you! And good luck with your running when you recover from your injury!

NakeshiaB

I know some people think it's a fad, but barefoot running worked for me. I could run further, and for longer than wearing shoes, and I had no pain. If you want to try barefoot running then start of with VERY short distances first, e.g. only run for a minute or two, then gradually build up the time/distance. Good luck!

gtreyger

Believe me, I can commiserate! When I first started jogging/running, I thought I had a great pair of running shoes. And I did! Only, they were not so great for me, my feet, and my gait. So, I went to a specialty runners shop. The sales people evaluated me, and, after trying on 16(!) pairs of shoes, I finally found the shoes for me. Took them home, went for a run. The pain was gone! I started running more and more. However, about 5 months later, the pain started to come back. Back to the running shop I went, and they explained to me that material in the shoes will break down after about 250-300 miles, or about 6-8 months after manufacturing, whichever comes first. New shoes bought, and no pain for the next six months!

Why did I tell this story? Because I was CONVINCED that I had a great pair of running shoes, where, in fact, they were horrible for me. My recommendation: go to a specialty running store and get evaluated.

I wish you luck and many pain free miles ahead! :-)

aamtodd

Do you think the pain is from the bones or from the muscles. If you rub or squeeze the muscles in front of the shin, are they tender? If so then this is simply a question of building up the strength of these muscles, perhaps. Lots of my friends who are fit cyclists find that they are not nearly so fit as runners - some different muscles being used there. You could try standing on the edge of a step with your heels off the back and raising and lowering yourself on your toes. Let your heels drop below the level of the stair each time. I do that because I have had frequent calf tears and it has really made a difference but I am aware that the slow lowering back down after being on my toes is very good for the muscles in front of my shins too.

Yogi_Carl

I know some people think it's a fad, but barefoot running worked for me. I could run further, and for longer than wearing shoes, and I had no pain. If you want to try barefoot running then start of with VERY short distances first, e.g. only run for a minute or two, then gradually build up the time/distance. Good luck!

Absolutely agree with this. I tried numerous high end running shoes but still felt pains in my knees - even thought I had damaged the cartilage and considered stopping running. When I tried running barefoot, I realised I had been running wrong as nearly all foam soled running shoes force you to heel strike because of all the cushioning whereas a minimalist shoe, or actually running barefoot, enables you to strike midfoot which is more natural.

No more pain. You may not run as far or as fast for a while but if it is for weight loss and health rather than competition, that really doesn't matter.

PeteWhoLikesToRunAlot

When I first started a few years ago, my biggest problem was overstriding (resulting in heel striking as others have mentioned). Are you finding that as you swing your legs foreward, they're swinging past the plane of your head & shoulders by more than a couple of inches? If so, that overstriding, and it can definitely cause shin splints.

When you go out again, try shorter strides. Initially, it'll feel like you're running with baby steps, but trust me it works.

Best of luck.
pete

Monze1

Wow, okay. Thanks everyone!
So I need to reconsider the type of shoes I have/maybe look into barefoot running (that seems really strange, but am most willing to try it!) and pay attention to my stride and how my foot falls. So much to think about!
My whole legs are aching from my workout yesterday and my shins are still a bit stabby from my first try at running, so I'm not sure if I should do my run today or postpone it..

leilaphoenix

I know some people think it's a fad, but barefoot running worked for me. I could run further, and for longer than wearing shoes, and I had no pain. If you want to try barefoot running then start of with VERY short distances first, e.g. only run for a minute or two, then gradually build up the time/distance. Good luck!

Agree. I had so many failed attempts at running until I found bareform. Google it.