Running: Muscle ache!

leanneakaliz
leanneakaliz Posts: 229 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I could really use some help from you runners out there.
I have been running for about a year now but had a 2 month break a little while ago due to completing a 10k race and damaging my feet through blisters.

Ever since I began running I have always suffered with muscle ache especially in my calves. Every time I run after about just 200m my legs would already be aching. I have had my shoes specially fitted about 8 months ago but im beginning to think I should maybe go back.

What could be causing my legs to be so achey ? It is extremely annoying as my fitness levels would let me continue but at the moment I am running no more than 2.5 - 3 miles due to my legs hurting so much.

I only run mon, wed, sat to try give my legs recovery time between runs.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Replies

  • RunConquerCelebrate
    RunConquerCelebrate Posts: 956 Member
    Do you stretch before and after your runs? Proper stretching could help with the pain.
  • mreeves261
    mreeves261 Posts: 728 Member
    You could go back and have your shoes rechecked but I think maybe it's a form problem. I recently started researching different books, videos, methods etc for working on form. I settled on 1 book in particular and after reading the first 70 pages of so the 3 or 4 tips I have gotten to have help tremendously! Research different methods, Good Form Running, Chi Running, Perfect Running Form..... If you Google it you will find TONS of information. That's where I would start.
  • leanneakaliz
    leanneakaliz Posts: 229 Member
    I do stretch both before and after.

    Thank you I will look into that :)
  • ERMBSN
    ERMBSN Posts: 32 Member
    I had the same problem. Mine turned out to be a potassium issue. Eventhough my blood test showed a normal level. The level was low for me. So I added a few bananas to my daily diet. After about 3 days the pain was gone and has not returned. Check with your doctor first before adding more potassium. Too much can be a real bad thing. Hope this helps.
  • leanneakaliz
    leanneakaliz Posts: 229 Member
    Thank you :) I might mention this to my doctor next time I see him :)
  • AMNimlos
    AMNimlos Posts: 34 Member
    You should try foam rolling (or use the Stick) and also try compression socks to help the muscles recover better.
  • lesser717
    lesser717 Posts: 2
    How many miles do you have on the shoes? Running shoes should last between 300-500 miles in general. Maybe it's time for a some new shoes!
  • twinmom_112002
    twinmom_112002 Posts: 739 Member
    Does the ache go away? My legs always protest through the first mile and then they give in when they realize that I am not stopping.
  • leanneakaliz
    leanneakaliz Posts: 229 Member
    The aching comes and goes during a run but its more there than not lol. I definitely have not done 300 miles in them.
  • DangerJim71
    DangerJim71 Posts: 361 Member
    Lots of good advice already.

    I'm 42 and something always hurts when I run. Literally takes me 2-3 miles just to get loosened up where some of the pain goes away and I feel good
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I run three times a week for 3-4 miles, sometimes more, and I have been running seriously for ten years and on and off since I was in my twenties.

    It sounds like you have the shoe fit down. Make sure you stretch before and after, drink plenty of water before, during, and after your run.
  • guessrs
    guessrs Posts: 358 Member
    I'm sorry to tell you but this is normal. For me it eventually went away with two things: couple years of running and weight loss. Suddenly, one day I was like how come my calves are not burning anymore esp the first two miles.
  • TMLPatrick
    TMLPatrick Posts: 558 Member
    I get that same problem occasionally and it is hard to predict when it will happen. Maybe upping potassium intake would prevent this. I think that I might try that...

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