Frustrated by running!!!!!

I am wondering whether it would pay to spend some time doing those resistance band exercises to strengthen glutes and hips etc that might help lessen these injuries

yes. i've had ankle and knee issues, and i find that when i take the time to do the stretches and resistance band exercises that the orthopeadists and physical therapists have recommend, i'd feel a lot better. who would have thought that they'd know what they were talking about.

also, things like swimming and cycling have helped me build my running by giving me better cardiovascular strength and helping my mechanics out.

Have you had your shoes fitted by a specialist running store? It makes a huge difference having your gait, posture and running style professionally analysed, and shoes selected based on your specific needs....

This. See a pedorthist/orthotist too if you can.

Not yet. Waiting till current niggles go away then will go to Shoe Clinic and get assessment.

The niggles can be caused by your shoes...so possibly better to see a specialist while you have them.

Have you had your shoes fitted by a specialist running store? It makes a huge difference having your gait, posture and running style professionally analysed, and shoes selected based on your specific needs....

with the sort of issues the op has a spotty kid with 10 mins training from a rep trying to sell you shoes will be pretty useless. It will cost but I would look for a qualified physiotherapist who specializes in running injuries and problems

Hi everyone

I have run on and off over the past two years and every now and then get sidelined by niggles especially around ankle and shin. I have biomechanical issues from mild curvature of spine and slightly different leg length and uneven hips etc

I am wondering whether it would pay to spend some time doing those resistance band exercises to strengthen glutes and hips etc that might help lessen these injuries

Has anyone been in a similar boat and or able to recommend what exercises or anything else might help

Thanks in advance.

Sounds just like myself actually . Sprained my ankle, knee and the right side of my groin two years ago but I wanted to continue running because I thought it was the best way to stay in shape. Two years later and I am still suffering for my mistakes in my ankle. Some people just don't have the bone structure or leg length to run without getting injured. Sadly that's me and and it sounds like it's you. The same way Usain Bolt isn't cut out to be a marathon runner. Now I do a lot of strength training and honestly it's the best decision I ever made. I still go running sometimes, but I only go 1-2 miles because any further and I'd aggravate my ankle. Generally if I want to do traditional cardio I will bike or sprint intervals.

One thing that is helping with the different leg length and uneven hips is wearing a heel arch. I don't know if you have it where you are but my physio recommends a brand called Orthaheel. They're cheap and only need to be replaced once a year.

Have started rolling and doing resistance band exercises to work on gluteal muscles and hip flexors and other hip muscles.

Most soft tissue work takes a while to yield results. Foam rolling to remove trigger points can work fairly rapidly (as long as you don't wimp out and avoid the painful bits!), but hip flexibility will take longer to develop. You're looking a months to get where you need to go (alongside correcting for spinal issues which may take longer). I would cut right down on volume (or even do something else for a while) until you correct these problems.

My legs are significantly different in length, and I have osteoarthritis in my feet. I have a left chronic Achilles which is not too bad right now. I started running once a week in the fall of 2011, then had my Achilles injury in December 2011, probably, really form running too little mileage and doing speed work with a small base mileage.

I started physical therapy and building up mileage in Spring of 2012.

Building strength around problem areas is key to injury prevention, and resistance band does help. Core is core ! LOL, which I need to continue working on, it is just not fun (for me).

Sounds like you are on the right track to building strength, just posted to let you know it is possible to continue running while having problems. Listen to your body, take rest days when needed and just keep at it. OH, I just finished a marathon and felt good!