May be too fat to jog.

Alright, so I have been doing c25k. I am on week 2 day 1...I didn't really have any problems during week 1 days 1 and 2, but day 3....I started having pain in my shins...it wasn't unbearable, but it kinda sucked. Today, I started W2 D1....The pain in my shins got progressively worse throughout the workout...Toward the end I was having shooting pain from my right ankle, all the way up my shin...I was almost in tears when I was in my car on the way home, that's how bad they hurt. And I have a high pain tolerance. The pain is STILL there over an hour after finishing. It hurts when you physically push on my shins and when I put weight on my legs (not really walking but going up stairs mostly) Should I just push past the pain and keep going, or should I stop and just continue doing week 1? Are they just shin splints? ugh! I have decent shoes too.. (zigtechs)
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Replies

  • JamesonsMommy
    JamesonsMommy Posts: 771 Member
    Sounds to me like shin splints. Take A couple days off. Soak in some Epson salts and put some ice on them:)
  • scowil03xx
    scowil03xx Posts: 45 Member
    Also, go find a "running" specific store where they can fit you and evaluate your stride and gait. While the zigs may be good shoes, they may not be good for you. It sucks because I cannot find a pair of shoes for under $125. But then, I am considered a "Clydesdale" in the running community requiring a high stability shoe in a 13EE which cannot be found at the mall. Good luck!
  • bonster1983
    bonster1983 Posts: 17 Member
    You are not too fat to jog! A lot of people have this problem. I have read that finding the proper fit in a good quality running shoe can help....in all the posts I see people say to get fitted at a store.
  • MeltingCandlewax
    MeltingCandlewax Posts: 42 Member
    Alright, so I have been doing c25k. I am on week 2 day 1...I didn't really have any problems during week 1 days 1 and 2, but day 3....I started having pain in my shins...it wasn't unbearable, but it kinda sucked. Today, I started W2 D1....The pain in my shins got progressively worse throughout the workout...Toward the end I was having shooting pain from my right ankle, all the way up my shin...I was almost in tears when I was in my car on the way home, that's how bad they hurt. And I have a high pain tolerance. The pain is STILL there over an hour after finishing. It hurts when you physically push on my shins and when I put weight on my legs (not really walking but going up stairs mostly) Should I just push past the pain and keep going, or should I stop and just continue doing week 1? Are they just shin splints? ugh! I have decent shoes too.. (zigtechs)


    How much do you weigh and how much do you need to lose. if you dont mind me asking. I started doing couch to 5 k a while ago and when i went to the dr and told him, he said no, don't do it. ( i have i call it sponge knee cause they have water in them but not enough to drain). He said until i get down to 200 pounds he doesnt want me to do any running because of my knees, and my feet (planters facitus) my knees and feet can't handle it. He said walking is great dont jog. so he recommends i walk 4 times a week at 30 minutes a day. I don't though. I have a a 2 year old i chase all day long everyday. Will get back to swimming hopefull when he goes to school.

    Ps: also he said dont use heat on your legs use ice.( just a tip from my chiropractor)
  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member
    i have shin splints. running downhill helped a lot.
  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member
    How much do you weigh and how much do you need to lose.
    [/quote]

    she started at 276 and lost 30 according to her ticker
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    As others pointed out. SHOES.
    Make sure they actually look at you walking. If they can't tell you about your gate and arches and stuff, I'd leave.

    You can also try to force yourself to hit with the front of your foot or the middle, as opposed to your heel.
  • wcllo
    wcllo Posts: 2
    It does sound like you have shin splits. I would get them all the time too! To make them stop I got a good fitted pair of running shoes, and I would try to limit how much I would walk/jog on concrete.:smile:
  • I can relate! I want so badly to be able to run but after a very short period of time, and by that I mean less than a minute...it feels like my shins are going to explode. It's sooo painful.

    I assume/hope/pray that if I can...when I do, get this weight off it will become easier & less painful. Also, it's less painful for me to run outside than it is on the treadmill-no clue what that's about!

    Good Luck to you!
  • Rynoman2k3
    Rynoman2k3 Posts: 152 Member
    No one's too fat to jog. Our body is made to run. While some are better than others we are built for it. Go to a running store like others have said. I went to a running store to get some running shoes and they made a world of difference. I spent about 115 with tax on mine. They watched me walk and measured my feet ect. I have no arch, and wide feet! Yay! I picked up a pair of New Balance 608's I believe. A pair of shoes that are made for your feet type will help you greatly though!

    The running store I went to was Gary Gribbles Running. I think they are a chain around here. I'm not sure if they are nation wide or not.
  • kdeaux1959
    kdeaux1959 Posts: 2,675 Member
    You may want to see a physician or trainer about this. By all means rest. It may be best to walk and increase your endurance progressively... You can increase speed while walking. As your weight comes down, then start a light jog. Best wishes on your success.
  • ashlinmarie
    ashlinmarie Posts: 1,263 Member
    I had a nice pair of nike running shoes and had shin splints like you would not believe. I physically could not walk after my workout during weeks two or three. I got fitted for a proper pair of shoes at a running store that give me ankle support and just the right amount of cushion that happened to be new balance (the nike's didn't flex enough and those were the two pairs that happened to work best for me). I have not had pain like that since. Sometimes I get calf pain from running too hard/far, but it is only bad for an hour or two and then I'm fine. I would definitely go to a running store and have them fit you for a pair. They may be able to tell your that it is your shoes and you don't have to buy from them if you don't want to (however, I was so happy that I gladly paid $113 to support them rather than buy em cheaper on Amazon).
  • Trechechus
    Trechechus Posts: 2,819 Member
    Sounds to me like shin splints. Take A couple days off. Soak in some Epson salts and put some ice on them:)

    What I was going to say. Take a break. No stress fractures allowed.
  • emmeylou
    emmeylou Posts: 175 Member
    It sounds like what I used to go through while I was in high school... shin splints by the sound of it. I agree with the person who suggested rice and a soak with epson salts (be VERY generous! it really does help). Then when you get back into it, make sure you warm up and after your warm up stretch your muscles out (google pre-jogging stretches for diagrams and something simple to follow). Then resume the walk/jog alternate that you do with the C25K. I have also heard that sometimes walking backwards on the treadmill (carefully!) or going backwards on an elliptical can help train the muscle opposite of your hamstring, and can help prevent shin splints. I did this in high school and it seemed to help. I have no backup sources or scientific proof so take it with a grain of salt.

    Hope you feel better and that it goes away soon for you!
    Oh, and as for your comment about being too fat. When I was at my highest weight (126 lbs ago...BMI 47)... I started this and I found that weeks 1-3 were doable, but I couldn't progress without my HR being WAY out of my target heart rate zone. It was very uncomfortable for me, so I focused more on losing the weight and less on running a 5k. I am now lifting weights and adding the C25K back in, and this time it feels like something I can accomplish.

    If you have the willpower to continue and you are keeping your heart rate in the healthy zone and not pushing too much... I don't see how you could be "too fat to jog". You may need to repeat the same week over and over until you are ready to progress. There is nothing wrong with that. Your body dictates your pace. Listen to it and you'll do great!
  • sparkler2112
    sparkler2112 Posts: 50 Member
    I had shin splints when I was in school and they make a velcro constricting band that goes just beneath your knees.. it works fantastic!
  • jonchew
    jonchew Posts: 239 Member
    Yes, what everyone else is saying - you need to get shoes that fit properly.

    I had shoes that cost a bundle and looked nice & sporty when I first started to run... what a pain (literally)! It'll be worth the extra few dollars & minutes to get your shoes professionally fitted by someone who knows what they're doing & what will work for you. You may have a New Balance store that'll do a professional fit analysis, this would be a great start.

    BTW - I don't work for New Balance, I just happen to have one of their stores nearby.

    Here's a link to their website store locator: http://www.newbalance.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-newbalance_us-Site/default/Stores-Find

    Good luck in your journey, please don't give up!!
  • laurie571
    laurie571 Posts: 152 Member
    Running is very hard on your joints and can cause pain. Some people more than others. An Eliptical machine is almost no impact and has the same cardio results that running does.
  • paint_it_black
    paint_it_black Posts: 208 Member
    Are you stretching your calves before you start? Being tight in the calves will also lead to shin pain and is common if you spend a lot of time in heels.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    are you running on a tredmill? ause I am and have been having similar problems but then I am just starting week 1 day 1 lol
  • Shoes make a HUGE difference. I used to suffer from shin splints for YEARS. Got advice here to go to a running store, they analyzed how I ran and BOOM! Perfect shoes and not a shin splint to be had since! :O Mine were so bad I had protruding bruises all up and down both legs.. since I was 14 even in basketball! Now no issue at all. I also recommend ice, lots of ice. It helps a great deal :) Great job doing the C25K program, but it does sound like you need some different sneakers before you continue :)
  • jiddu17
    jiddu17 Posts: 187 Member
    My shoes are fine. I did go to a Running Store for fit, comfort and purpose. I get shin splints too, and although they keep me from finishing each day of c25k (I keep doing W1D1), they are fine the next morning, or even later that night. I talked to an avid runner friend of mine and she swears bananas and water have helped her through some bad ones (though there doesn't seem to be any proof that the Potassium does much in terms of the splints since it isn't a cramp). And ice them. Do NOT push through the pain. Some people wear these, regularly:

    http://www.irunnerblog.com/running/product-review-zensah-shin-splintcalf-compression-sleeve/

    Don't forget to stretch!
  • pants77
    pants77 Posts: 185 Member
    I used to have a similar problem, and I still don't like running but not because of my legs anymore. Now I have to wear very tight compression shirts so my partially-full torso skin-fat thing doesn't flap around so much.

    I prefer the elliptical - no leg pain, no skin-fat flapping. If you're going to jog, ease yourself into it. You may not have shin splints, you may just have to condition your legs slowly. It takes some time for the body to adjust when you've gone basically your whole life without running.
  • Rynoman2k3
    Rynoman2k3 Posts: 152 Member
    Also i was going to add if you do find that running just isn't your thing try Roller-Blading. I've been doing it for about a year now. It's low impact but it really works out your lower body and back. I swear my calves are all muscle. My butt's tightened up quite a bit too. I've got a long way to go yet but the roller-blading has sure helped me get a good start on it.

    I've been running maybe once a week, just for something different. I might go tomorrow in fact. My lil' Jack Russell needs some exercise.
  • drage1
    drage1 Posts: 1
    Shoes. Shoes. Shoes. I weigh loads more than you and I am W3 in C25K. I have orthotics in my shoes as well.
    Make sure to warm up and down - its vital.

    Also - C25K can be unbearable sometimes. I have had to repeat weeks because it is really hard on my body. I have been working on my fitness for 7 months now, but as I am still BMI of 40, it is quite a lot of effort.

    Keep going! You can do it!!
  • james132
    james132 Posts: 19
    Old runner checking in here...

    First, get some good shoes. Professional running store will look at your step and make sure that you're fit in the right type of shoe for your foot/gait and even weight.

    Second. Why jog? Walking is healthier on your joints and just your entire body in general. After a torn up knee and a fractured leg last year, I've been forced to walk since I can no longer run. It has proven to be a fantastic way to burn a bunch of calories while at the same time taking care of my knees, hips and whatever else used to hurt me. :happy:

    Don't get hung up on the idea that getting there faster (jogging/running) is any healthier for you.

    Best of luck to you in reaching your goals. :drinker:
  • InvidiaXII
    InvidiaXII Posts: 315 Member
    I would say take it slower. When I started jogging, I could seriously only run for about 10 seconds before I got bad shin pain, and I wasn't even overweight! I think it's a matter of getting your leg muscles used to the impact, especially if you're jogging on hard terrain. So start slow, and gradually work your way up to longer stretches. You'll be jogging before you know it :)
  • wjniii
    wjniii Posts: 110 Member
    Mix in some cross training. Bike, swim (run or walk in a pool if you don't want to swim) or just walk. Ease back into the running as the pain goes away and, like many here have said, get good running shoes. You can do it!
  • angelalf1979
    angelalf1979 Posts: 244 Member
    I am 238 and have been doing c25k since 248. I am on week 3 now (I am taking two weeks for each program week as to not injure myself). I got a pair of New Balance shoes my second week in (paid $116 but well worth it!) and I have had no more pain in my shins!! Its amazing how shoes really do help but go to a reputable shoe store! Not a department store that sells other items or shoes on sale. Good luck and great job on your c25k endeavor!!
  • lyttlewon
    lyttlewon Posts: 1,118 Member
    You might need to slow down. If you are pounding too hard it will hurt like hell. I run SLOW. I could walk faster than I run.
  • cbeutler
    cbeutler Posts: 667 Member
    Rest and heal up.

    Check out New Balance Good Form Running

    http://www.newbalance.com/running/good-form-running/61000,default,sc.html