Some people aren't built to run....HUH????

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  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    What does the foam roller do?

    I have also had problems with running. I have been fitted for shoes, tried different brands, and I end up with visible bruises on my calgs when I run on pavement. I'm ok on the treadmill though. I also have loose joints so I constant sprain my ankles just by putting my foot down the wrong way so running tends to make me nervouse because that is painful!

    self myo-fascial release.

    it's a form of deep tissue massage that helps releave tension and break down scar tissue (so they say) both foam rolling and ART massage has really helped me with preventing certain injuries- rehabbing/recovering injuries and performance itself.

    You can use a wine bottle- baseball bat LAX ball, baseball whatever you have lying around that's round and will roll.- the foam ones are a little more gentle- if you are uber tight- a wine bottle, hard ball or PVC pipe might make you cry (if I haven't rolled in a while- I'm practically in tears) it's painful- it's not always pleasant- but the results are unquestionable.
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    There are people whose natural body makeup makes them more inclined to distance running, over sprinting, or vice versa, but generally speaking EVERYONE with working limbs and no medical issues preventing it is built to do some form of running--whether it's sprinting or distance running. You may just be more of a sprinter. And nothing wrong with that at all.
  • lcransaw
    lcransaw Posts: 95
    I don't believe I'm built to run. I can do other excercise, including high intensity stuff like netball, I swim, walk etc. Running will trigger my asthma fast, plus it makes my boobs, ,joints, legs and back hurt.

    I probably wasn't born 'not built to run' but it's certainly not a good idea now. Running just doesn't suit some people, IMO.

    This for me exactly. Running is too harsh. I have to do activities that are less damaging on my joints. I will say that fast paced walking has gotten a little easier now that I have lost weight. So, maybe the burning is coming from the impact of your body weight on your legs and calf muscles. I have heard that shoes are crucial for runners, so maybe try talking to a running shoe professional. Good Luck!
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    I don't believe I'm built to run. I can do other excercise, including high intensity stuff like netball, I swim, walk etc. Running will trigger my asthma fast, plus it makes my boobs, ,joints, legs and back hurt.

    I probably wasn't born 'not built to run' but it's certainly not a good idea now. Running just doesn't suit some people, IMO.

    This for me exactly. Running is too harsh. I have to do activities that are less damaging on my joints. I will say that fast paced walking has gotten a little easier now that I have lost weight. So, maybe the burning is coming from the impact of your body weight on your legs and calf muscles. I have heard that shoes are crucial for runners, so maybe try talking to a running shoe professional. Good Luck!

    Being too heavy to be able to safely load the joints in a high impact manner without causing them excessive stress does constitute one of those medical excuses I mentioned in my answer. The truth is a lifetime of not taking care of yourself can affect your body in ways that will prevent you from being able to safely engage in some activities you would have been able to otherwise. It may be too late for you to become a "runner" at this point without causing yourself pain and possibly injury, but you can still keep active.
  • teemama2
    teemama2 Posts: 72 Member
    I have never been a runner but I am finishing week 3 of C25K and I a loving the workout! My calves actually hurt the day between my runs and not during. Kudos to you for trying.
  • julies90
    julies90 Posts: 646 Member
    Is it maybe shin splints?
    I get the worst shin splints when I run. I CAN run...for example yesterday ran 5 k, but suffer for it the next day with lots of calf pain and usually can't run two days in a row.
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    I think we need to shift the focus here. Humans ARE built to run, that's just an evolutionary fact. However, some humans are built to be better runners than others. I'm a big lumbering Oaf. Most of my runs are around 3 miles. If I want to extend my distance any further than that I have to really train for it, which I'm in the process of doing. Where as my Adventure Race partner can rattle off 10 miles without so much as walkng to the mailbox for training. If I lived in an acient community my job would be to carry the hunted game back to the village, not chase it down.

    All that being said when I started running I had bad knees and asthama. Both of those things improved with slow increases in distances and speed with running.
  • elisabeisme
    elisabeisme Posts: 308 Member
    Do you wear high heels often? Women who wear high heels all the time get a shortened toghter calf muscle. I had this problem and I had calf pain when I started. It does go away, but you need to make sure you are gradually easing into it. I also did C25K. It's actually the perfect was to do it.

    I saw podiatrist who gave me some tips:

    1. Foam roll before you go. It works better than stretching beforehand because it releases the fibers of the calf muscle rather than pulling on your Achilles' tendon. You're not supposed to stretch tendons until they are warmed up. The doc gave a tip that a kitchen rolling pin works really well. Throw a towel over the back of your legs and go to town with the rolling pin on the muscle.

    2. Don't try to start with a "zero drop"/minimalist/flat running shoes. Start with a regular running shoe that has a large heel drop (heel is higher than toes) until your calf muscles get longer and more limber.

    3. Take a shower and run the hot water over your legs BEFORE your run to heat up the calves. Feels weird to shower right before getting sweaty but it helps. You could probably use a heating pad too, but I use the shower method as I change into my workout clothes.

    4. Don't be afraid to do a double-long warm up walk if 5 minutes isn't enough.

    6. Add calf raises to your workout routine on your non-running days.

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