I WALK LIKE THE TIN MAN!!!!! HELP!!!!

robjenga
robjenga Posts: 175 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
People who jog/run...are your legs always sore/stiff? I've been running for a few weeks...plus elliptical...treadmill...walking...blah blah blah. My legs are the strongest thing on me...yet they are always stiff...if I sit for any period of time my legs stiffen up and I walk like a tin man til they loosen up. If I DON'T do any leg work for a couple days...i'm fine...but i try to be active every day...and it's making me walk like an old man. And don't even get me started on sore knees...What's up!?

Thanks!

Replies

  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I've been running for a little over a year. I started out with a program that had me out there three days a week, and I've stuck to that schedule - still running only three days a week. I walk almost every day with my dogs, but not as far and it doesn't cause soreness. I do exercises focusing on legs & butt at least once a week (although all three non-run days have some leg work mixed in, either some squats or lunges, but not as intense) and I don't have tin man issues. :tongue:

    Maybe you just need to back off on the legwork a bit? Let those puppies rest! You say you've been running for a few weeks - are you a new runner? How far are you running and how many days a week?
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    ^Listen to Amy.


    Rest. It's good for you :)
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    You may want to look into better running shoes. sometimes what you are wearing on your feet makes a big difference.
  • robjenga
    robjenga Posts: 175 Member
    I am a new runner. I've been using the elliptical and treadmill for a while...but running around my neighborhood is new...the past few weeks. I am running 3 days a week...started with the C25K app...and taking it slow...still running "week 1"...and using the elliptical on off days. I guess I just need to let them rest but it's hard when I wanna get some cardio in every day. Maybe I will just tone my off day workouts down.
  • hannahjames295
    hannahjames295 Posts: 74 Member
    I agree rest is good, my next comment may be teaching you to suck eggs, but a good warm up/cool down including stretches is invaluable in keeping you loose and limber. I personally think dynamic stretches like walking lunges are great for runners as they are a bit more functional...
  • palmerar
    palmerar Posts: 489 Member
    1) Running on pavement/ sidewalk is definitely harder on your body than on cardio machines

    2) Do you warm-up and stretch before and after your runs?

    3) Repeating everyone else, REST. Don't go too hard too fast even if you feel good while running. You could get an overuse injury and then have to take time off and start the whole process over again.
  • robjenga
    robjenga Posts: 175 Member
    I've heard that about pavement...it is MUCH easier to run on a treadmill then the sidewalk/street.

    I do stretch before and SOMETIMES after...but i've been known to slack on the after stretching.

    I think maybe I am just over-doing it.

    Thanks for all the replies!!!!! I'm gonna go sit in my rocker on my front porch and play the banjo.

    :)
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I do cardio daily, but usually it's a 20 minute kickboxing DVD (plus the dog walks) after my weights, so not super strenuous on the legs. Or, if my legs are just really sore or I'm feeling tired, I take an extra day off. No shame! :bigsmile:
  • RedHotHunter
    RedHotHunter Posts: 560 Member
    Stretch. A lot.
    Before. After. Even on your off days.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    All I know is that I want a friggin donut.

    NOW!!!

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