Running too slow?

Is it possible that you could have a virus?

wrong shoes? tight muscles or thigh Achilles can pull like that too.

Just ran my first half today. Have had days in training where it felt like running in treacle, others where it was great. Are you on a sensible training programme, building up distance and total distance per week at an appropriately graded rate? Are you getting enough water every day (not just when you run)? Are you possibly collecting niggles from upping mileage? Have you tried getting a decent sports tissue massage (pref with myofascial release)? Are you using a foam roller after you run? Have you tried using a foam roller before you run too? All of these things and more reflect stuff I've had to try to figure out / look at ... and I still have sore shins and calves for about the first 3-5 miles before they ease up a bit, but then around mile 7-8 get sore knees!

Just ran my first half today. Have had days in training where it felt like running in treacle, others where it was great. Are you on a sensible training programme, building up distance and total distance per week at an appropriately graded rate? Are you getting enough water every day (not just when you run)? Are you possibly collecting niggles from upping mileage? Have you tried getting a decent sports tissue massage (pref with myofascial release)? Are you using a foam roller after you run? Have you tried using a foam roller before you run too? All of these things and more reflect stuff I've had to try to figure out / look at ... and I still have sore shins and calves for about the first 3-5 miles before they ease up a bit, but then around mile 7-8 get sore knees!

Interesting read for a new runner like me. Makes me feel not so worried about the little aches I have had. thanks zen

Training for a half marathon on May 4. Today went for a 6 mile run (long run of the week). Around mile 2 I was hurting! Calves were crampy and achey. I stretched prior to the run. Going out i was trying to keep heart rate below 90%. After turning around I gave up on that and just ran and legs felt better. Heart rate was up to 97%. Is it really possible to run too slow and hurt yourself?

Maybe your gait is forced or awkward at the slower pace?

Also make sure you are maintaining your form in the later miles--check that you are not hunched over or you're tightening your shoulders. I make up little candence verses to remind myself to relax my shoulders, breath from the diaphram etc. It sounds stupid but I find it helps in the dim-witted last miles of a run when things tend to fall apart.

If I stretch before running then I can't run as far. <-- Truth!

Try not stretching before, and run. See if it makes a difference. Definitely stretch afterwards.

Also, make sure you eat well.

Discover..Not the shoes. New shoes bought in January and they analyzed my running form.

[...]

Zen..I have been running for over a year, started slow C25k. Sidelined by odd knee pain and an illness for a few months. Started back running as a newby around July. I drink about a gallon of water every day but don't carry any while running. I am not familiar with the term "niggles" so I can't say yay or nay to that. I currently do not have a foam roller so that answers that huh?

[...]

My experience of shops (with running gait analysis etc) has still been variable. Some places are better than others and I still find buying shoes a real stress! Sometimes they will "diagnose" pronation when you *may* have another issue. I am waiting to see a podiatrist because 2 physios - 1 is a friend, I don't have pots of cash! - have told me it isn't my "pronation" from funny arches, it's to do with the stability of my ridiculously hypermobile ankles (who knew!) and hips. I got a lecture from one physio about how shoe sellers want to sell shoes etc etc and that often they don't focus on your form above the ankles/knees, depending how they film you. As far as I can tell the jury is out with a lot of the "shoe debates" too. If yours really are totally right for you my advice would be buy as many pairs as you can before the b*@#~s "update" the model and change something slightly which throws them off for you!

Re "niggles"... um... if something niggles at you it bothers you, but I guess in running niggle is the British term for "not exactly an injury but feels annoying and like it could possibly turn into or affect one". So my shin issues are a niggle because I don't always get them, but when I have done loads of running and been lazy about the foam roller or not drunk enough water (my major issue is I forget ALL the time and appear to have a rubbish thirst sensor!), or if I have been ill or more stressed - they tend to come back and I can feel the little gross gristly feeling lumpy bits along the muscle/bone interface (where the mysofascial release is good!). I've had some really good sports massages after which it has truly felt like I was given new legs, so I try to foam roller more to lengthen time needed between the massages. My foam roller was £15 and so worth the relatively small outlay!

I don't know if this will help you or not but I'll tell you my experience. I can run for over an hour, my pulse stays around 160 (way high for my max, which is actually in the 150's), I feel fine and feel like I could go on forever. I'm not out of breath and I completely enjoy it. However, as soon as I slow down for my cool down, I have almost instant cramps in my calves. It is horribly painful so now I slow my jog down as slow as possible, then walk fast for 5 minutes, then walk slower for 5 more and so on, until my pulse is down to the 120's. I don't get why it hurts so bad when I slow down. It doesn't even make sense. The only thing that gets rid of it completely is to do the above and to make sure I stretch really well afterwards. I always warm up for 10 minutes by walking at about 3.5mph. Stretching BEFORE I run only makes it worse. I can't explain that either.

If I stretch before running then I can't run as far. <-- Truth!

Try not stretching before, and run. See if it makes a difference. Definitely stretch afterwards.

Also, make sure you eat well.

I agree. I cannot stretch beforehand or my legs tire quickly. I have to stretch after. Also, look at what you ate the night before. I find what I've eaten affects my ability to run. Junk food - not so good for energy.

On stretching: there is a lot of mixed advice out there, but my understanding of the exercise science research is that stretching doesn't do much for you, especially when done before exertion. Afterwards, go ahead and do it if it feels good. I do it for that reason.

I just remembered reading about a study that found a correlation between calf circumference and lower leg injuries. The upshot was that the stronger your calf muscles, the better. So consider adding some strengthening exercises to your routine--I do standing one-legged calf raises (stand on one foot, get up on your toes, then lower, then repeat). It's good for balance as well as strengthening the calf and various stabilizing muscles in your lower legs.

Shoes: they sometimes do not work out even if they are new. I have a pair right now that some people praise to the skies, but they gave me shin splints. If you are serious about running, you should consider picking up another pair--you'll need a new pair about every six months anyway (give or take, depending on how much you run).