Running - give up, shape up or cut down?

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Replies

  • KahalaGal
    KahalaGal Posts: 112 Member
    I fought with the idea of "walking" and after deciding to walk instead of run - I am finding the joy of movement again. I do however have to relay that -of course- you have to walk Longer (i.e. 1.5 hours walking vs 1 hour running) for the same calorie burn - and I am finding it incredibly enjoyable and not bothered by knee, heel, hip, back pain - at all. Keep moving if you can. Good luck.
  • Querian
    Querian Posts: 419 Member
    It sounds like your injuries are overuse. I'm not sure if you mentioned how often you run but maybe you can cut back and mix in something like biking or swimming too so you are not straining your joints so much?

    I don't know what Chi Running is but earlier this year when I got back into running I started using a fore-foot running method where instead of landing heel-toe on my foot I land in the ball of my foot. I am super slow and don't run very far yet but this method doesn't involve leaning forward or anything but it does take some time to get used to it since you are using different muscles in your legs and the cadence is different than what I was used to when I have run heel-toe in the past. A couple of years ago I severely sprained an ankle and tore a tendon in the arch or my foot so I was concerned that I would not be able to run again. If I try to run heel-toe my ankle swells up even now and I have a lot of pain in my foot but with the fore foot running method I don't have any pain at all which amazes me. I just use regular running shoes.

    If you really love it don't give it up but you will have to find a way to figure out how to reduce your pain. I would cut down for now, lift weights to strengthen your running muscles (I know there are weight-lifting for runners programs out there) and play around with your running style to see if you can't solve this problem. Hopefully you can fix it and resume running as much as you want!
  • kcragg
    kcragg Posts: 239 Member
    In my opinion I wouldn't give up running completely, but just slow it right down, forget racing and just run for fun. I only started running in my late forties but I have never raced and I have no desire to. I love the time on my own with no pressure to complete my run in a certain time. If I need to slow down and walk, I do, if want to stop and take a picture I do. My main execise is strength training, I added the running as some extra cardio when I reached a plateau, but I enjoy it.

    If you enjoy running, do it:)
  • elephant_in_the_room
    elephant_in_the_room Posts: 145 Member
    Welcome to the club! 45 F here. I joined MFP a year ago when the sports doctor forbade me to run. Hamstring tendonitis from overuse. It should have been healed by now, but it comes back whenever I run. I so love to run! I can't, now. Not for long.

    I have learned to switch exercises and do other things for cardio. Mind you, there are a number of other exercises, like lunges, which work the same muscles and give me the same problem. One thing I have learned is : variety -- train different muscle groups. Running is admittedly very repetitive for the body.

    I can do swimming, spinning, bike riding is perfect, circuit training, dancing, rope jumping. I want to try kettlebell.

    Diversify.

    If you can still run occasionally, then do it, with the appropriate periods of rest (and other exercises to keep the endurance training up) in between.

    All the best.
    Mind becoming friends? I'm looking for others in the same situation.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    You could try just running for enjoyment and let your body be your guide so you aren't overextending yourself and getting injured?
    I think that's the trick. You wouldn't carry on with any other entirely optional leisure activity that hurt, right?
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Are you sure your shoes are okay? Improper shoes can cause knee and back problems and injuries.
    Yeah, I get checked out about once a year at a shop that videos me running on the dreadmill. It's expensive, so I feel obliged to buy every other pair there because of the excellent service they offer, the rest of the time I get last season;s model for half price online!
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    What are you doing about strength training? Anything? Many knee issues are muscular in nature.

    I both run and lift and I find the combination works quite well for me.
    This is very relevant. I found I couldn't race train and lift heavy as I had permanent DOMS, which made both my running and lifting totally rubbish! I have restarted resistance training but going a bit lighter and more reps, and added in running-specific injury prevention bodyweight exercises.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    I fought with the idea of "walking" and after deciding to walk instead of run - I am finding the joy of movement again. I do however have to relay that -of course- you have to walk Longer (i.e. 1.5 hours walking vs 1 hour running) for the same calorie burn - and I am finding it incredibly enjoyable and not bothered by knee, heel, hip, back pain - at all. Keep moving if you can. Good luck.
    Thanks! Having ditched the all-or-nothing mindset, I try to get five miles in a day even if I do nothing else (I have a FitBit). I get 3 just from my commute, so it's not a big ask to go for a half-hour power walk at lunchtime. Keeping up a 4mph average while not getting run over crossing some of London's busiest streets is a challenge in itself!
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    I don't know what Chi Running is but earlier this year when I got back into running I started using a fore-foot running method where instead of landing heel-toe on my foot I land in the ball of my foot. I am super slow and don't run very far yet but this method doesn't involve leaning forward or anything but it does take some time to get used to it since you are using different muscles in your legs and the cadence is different than what I was used to when I have run heel-toe in the past.
    I'm a huge proponent of mid-foot landing and have switched to pure cushioning shoes rather than for mild overpronation (I'm too heavy and clumsy, and get way too frequent plantar fasciitis to go the barefoot route). I'm certain half of all shin splints experienced by beginners is muscles pain from an exaggerated toe-lift.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    In my opinion I wouldn't give up running completely, but just slow it right down, forget racing and just run for fun. I only started running in my late forties but I have never raced and I have no desire to. I love the time on my own with no pressure to complete my run in a certain time. If I need to slow down and walk, I do, if want to stop and take a picture I do. My main execise is strength training, I added the running as some extra cardio when I reached a plateau, but I enjoy it.

    If you enjoy running, do it:)
    Oh, I'm the slowest runner you'll ever meet, If I went slower, I'd be going backwards :laugh: "Race" is relative, just running with a bunch of like-minded folk usually through somewhere I've always wanted to visit for another medal I'll hang on my dressing table mirror and a slightly crap goody bag. There are no lengths I won't go to for a technical race tee, though. A souvenir I can actually wear while running!
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Welcome to the club! 45 F here. I joined MFP a year ago when the sports doctor forbade me to run. Hamstring tendonitis from overuse. It should have been healed by now, but it comes back whenever I run. I so love to run! I can't, now. Not for long.

    I have learned to switch exercises and do other things for cardio. Mind you, there are a number of other exercises, like lunges, which work the same muscles and give me the same problem. One thing I have learned is : variety -- train different muscle groups. Running is admittedly very repetitive for the body.

    I can do swimming, spinning, bike riding is perfect, circuit training, dancing, rope jumping. I want to try kettlebell.

    Diversify.

    If you can still run occasionally, then do it, with the appropriate periods of rest (and other exercises to keep the endurance training up) in between.

    All the best.
    Mind becoming friends? I'm looking for others in the same situation.
    Awesome thanks, and thanks for adding me :flowerforyou:

    Have you tried water running? My gym pool is conveniently chest-height for its entire length and often near-empty so I have it to myself while running slow-motion like Steve Austin :laugh:
  • CathOh
    CathOh Posts: 72 Member
    I absolutely adore running and have been more of an endurance athlete for the better part of the last 8-9 years. I have friends that have run through stress fractures, tight IT bands, hip and knee pain and I always wonder why they put themselves through this. Then I had my first (and only) running-related injury which sidelined me from the second most important race of my season. In my case, it turned out to be from not stretching properly (or at all) and several visits to a chiropractic doctor, along with incorporating consistent stretching after training, helped sort out that problem. My particular chiropractic doctor specializes in sports injuries, and she is also a runner. If you have something near where you live, and also have the health benefits to cover it, I would definitely look into this as an option to help you potentially get rid of any of the aches or pains that you are currently experiencing.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    I absolutely adore running and have been more of an endurance athlete for the better part of the last 8-9 years. I have friends that have run through stress fractures, tight IT bands, hip and knee pain and I always wonder why they put themselves through this. Then I had my first (and only) running-related injury which sidelined me from the second most important race of my season. In my case, it turned out to be from not stretching properly (or at all) and several visits to a chiropractic doctor, along with incorporating consistent stretching after training, helped sort out that problem. My particular chiropractic doctor specializes in sports injuries, and she is also a runner. If you have something near where you live, and also have the health benefits to cover it, I would definitely look into this as an option to help you potentially get rid of any of the aches or pains that you are currently experiencing.
    Oh, that would be ideal! I'm increasingly convinced a lot of my problem is hip/lower back tightness/imbalance.
  • basillowe66
    basillowe66 Posts: 432 Member
    It sounds as if your body is sauying " CUT BACK"
  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
    You probably don't have to give up running altogether, but it may be time to give up marathons! You could do a lot more biking or swimming instead. Or, start doing more resistance training. Running is great but not everyone's body can handle long distance running.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    But... but... my friend who's my age does Ironmans!

    *sigh* OK, I'm not superhuman like her :ohwell:

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