Preventing Leg Pain from Jogging?

FITIsTheNewPINK
FITIsTheNewPINK Posts: 43
in Fitness and Exercise
So having recently taken up jogging again I found that I was having a lot of knee pain that radiated into my calves.
I tried changing my stride from heel-to-toe to a more flat footed stride. It worked! No more knee pain whatsoever.
However, my calves are hurting during running and after my jog today I had some intense pain and my calves felt really hard to the touch. Does anyone have any ideas what is causing this, or how to prevent/relieve it?
Thanks so much!

Replies

  • CometMeebru
    CometMeebru Posts: 122
    Stop jogging. Humans aren't meant to run long distances
  • TEAJAY13
    TEAJAY13 Posts: 19
    if your calves are tight STOP. I ran through hamstring pain when I should have stopped. It will be along time before I run again. Also check your Shoes, if you can go to a speciality shoe store that will fit you to a proper shoe for your stride, Pricey BUT worth it. I just did it too late. Running/ jogging is awesome so don't become me, injured and out of action.
  • tmcginley
    tmcginley Posts: 28
    of course humans were meant to run long distances - how do you think we hunted? in helicopters? read BORN TO RUN. It will blow your miiimd.
  • tmcginley
    tmcginley Posts: 28
    So having recently taken up jogging again I found that I was having a lot of knee pain that radiated into my calves.
    I tried changing my stride from heel-to-toe to a more flat footed stride. It worked! No more knee pain whatsoever.
    However, my calves are hurting during running and after my jog today I had some intense pain and my calves felt really hard to the touch. Does anyone have any ideas what is causing this, or how to prevent/relieve it?
    Thanks so much!

    I found that most of my aches and pains have resolved themselves through sports massage, it hurts like hell but its amazing the effect it can have on your recovery. go to a quality sports masseuse and also consider investing in a foam roller for self massage. I also use a tennis ball for self massage. Good luck!
  • tmcginley
    tmcginley Posts: 28
    Stop jogging. Humans aren't meant to run long distances

    of course humans were meant to run long distances - how do you think we hunted? in helicopters? read BORN TO RUN. It will blow your miiimd.
    [/quote]
  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    Your shoes are likely the culprit. Go to a running specialty store and let them help you find a pair that fits your stride type. Many running stores will let you try the shoes out for a few days and return them if they don't help, so it's worth checking out.
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    Stop jogging. Humans aren't meant to run long distances

    of course humans were meant to run long distances - how do you think we hunted? in helicopters? read BORN TO RUN. It will blow your miiimd.
    [/quote]

    we hunted with spears - that's why we developed them. There's no benefit to hunting to running long distances. sprinting maybe, but not long distance. A human could never keep up.
  • FITIsTheNewPINK
    FITIsTheNewPINK Posts: 43
    Thanks to all that replied. I just got new running shoes but they aren't very good so they very well might be the problem. I am trying to take it easy to avoid further injuring myself. And, I'd love to try sports massage. Not sure if I can find a good local place though.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Stop jogging. Humans aren't meant to run long distances

    Quite the opposite, actually.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Stop jogging. Humans aren't meant to run long distances

    of course humans were meant to run long distances - how do you think we hunted? in helicopters? read BORN TO RUN. It will blow your miiimd.

    we hunted with spears - that's why we developed them. There's no benefit to hunting to running long distances. sprinting maybe, but not long distance. A human could never keep up.

    Google "persistence hunting".

    OP, stretch your calves when you finish your run.
  • M8R5on8ym
    M8R5on8ym Posts: 23 Member
    Stop jogging. Humans aren't meant to run long distances

    Amazing how much nonsense is passed around on these forums.
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,658 Member
    Stop jogging. Humans aren't meant to run long distances

    Well you might consider YOU weren't, but don't speak for the rest of us, many of us enjoy running.

    To the OP, get your running gait analysed at a specialist running store and they will advise you on which shoes are the best for your style. It could mean the difference between running or not for you.
  • kenna44cat
    kenna44cat Posts: 105 Member
    BORN TO RUN is an awesome book. It's the story of a tribe in the Sahara (I believe it's the Sahara) who run for days barefooted. The best stride is what you suggest, landing on the ball of your foot, but it sounds as though you have it figured out with the help you got here. Your shoes might be to blame. Shoes with thick heels aren't good for running/jogging.
  • FITIsTheNewPINK
    FITIsTheNewPINK Posts: 43
    I actually didn't know that thick heels were a bad thing, haha. My latest pair I bought because they have a rather thick heel which I thought would help with the shock on my knees - but my old pair was rather minimal there and I barely ever had pain like I am now, so that definitely makes a lot of sense. Thanks! :)
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Taking the time to stretch properly after a run will make a big difference.

    If you don't have a sports massage therapist readily available (or even if you do.....) consider getting a foam roller (lots of videos on youtube and runnersworld.com on using them) for self massage after a run. If your local sports shop doesn't have them you can get them through amazon etc.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Beginner runners always get calf pain; it will ease with time and getting into a gait that suits you. Well done on moving to mid-foot landing - the heel-to-toe thing is a mistake many beginners make. Stretch loads - heel drop-downs on a step and yoga downward-facing-dog are good to add into your routine. Do you regularly wear high heels? That can shorten the calf too.
  • hmoffatt
    hmoffatt Posts: 51
    BORN TO RUN is an awesome book. It's the story of a tribe in the Sahara (I believe it's the Sahara) who run for days barefooted. The best stride is what you suggest, landing on the ball of your foot, but it sounds as though you have it figured out with the help you got here. Your shoes might be to blame. Shoes with thick heels aren't good for running/jogging.
    Mexico actually. I don't run but I just started the book and it's pretty hard to put down.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    BORN TO RUN is an awesome book. It's the story of a tribe in the Sahara (I believe it's the Sahara) who run for days barefooted. The best stride is what you suggest, landing on the ball of your foot, but it sounds as though you have it figured out with the help you got here. Your shoes might be to blame. Shoes with thick heels aren't good for running/jogging.
    Mexico actually. I don't run but I just started the book and it's pretty hard to put down.

    Yeah, it's a very entertaining book just from a literary perspective. If you are a runner or care about running, the subject just makes it an added bonus.
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    Running hurt my shins until I switched to Nike Free and Vibrams. It took a while for my feet and calves to adjust but the muscle pain was much better than the shin pain. I now run barefoot and the only issue I have is the occasional issues with rubbing blisters on the bottom of my feet, which is still better than the numerous and regular blisters I get with shoes, and easily addressed with taping my feet for some runs. Even that is slowly going away. It's quite liberating to be honest.

    Edit: typo
  • Inkratlet
    Inkratlet Posts: 613 Member
    Be careful when you first start out. I started too eagerly - too much too soon and now I'm recovering from pes anserinus bursitis in both knees. Get a good physical therapist to support you if you're worried. I also blame the shoes, I have some new ones with much better shock absorption.
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    Beginner runners always get calf pain; it will ease with time and getting into a gait that suits you. Well done on moving to mid-foot landing - the heel-to-toe thing is a mistake many beginners make. Stretch loads - heel drop-downs on a step and yoga downward-facing-dog are good to add into your routine. Do you regularly wear high heels? That can shorten the calf too.
    Be careful when you first start out. I started too eagerly - too much too soon and now I'm recovering from pes anserinus bursitis in both knees. Get a good physical therapist to support you if you're worried. I also blame the shoes, I have some new ones with much better shock absorption.

    ^this and ^this

    I'm convinced that most of new runners' problems aren't type/fit of shoes, gait, technique, etc. (although ultimately important to their longevity in the activity) but are instead entirely from doing too much too fast.

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