Question for the Runners

Mekatluvr
Mekatluvr Posts: 34 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
When I reached my halfway point to my ultimate weight loss goal, I started running. It wasn't easy at first, it's something I never thought I find myself doing, and it's been a LONG time since I've actually ran, but as the days turn to weeks, and weeks turn to months, I built my endurance, and was able to run up to 5 miles two times a week. Not at a fast pace, mind you, but at the pace I was still feeling the challenge. Late December 2013 and early January, I was out for a total of three weeks due to pneumonia. When I finally got my strength back up, I felt like I was starting all over again. I couldn't run a mile without going through a serious coughing fit. I'm doing way better now, and I try not to be hard on myself, something I'm not always good at. lol

This is my question... As I build up my endurance to get back where I was before I became ill, I've been noticing my knees hurting, and my legs feeling stiff after the run. I do make sure I get a proper cool down, and that I stretch, but I will feel this way through out the day, and the day afterwards. Has anyone ever experience this? I like to think it's the weather, it has been cold, and I run in the morning. I will say that last year in February, I fractured my ankle, and I run with an ankle brace because of the severe pronation I'm dealing with due to the fracture.

Answers and suggestions are greatly appreciated! I really enjoy running, and would like to continue without the pain. :)

Replies

  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Ok... taking 3 weeks off won't negate all of your progress like you described. Maybe you're starting out too fast and need to do a gradual build up?

    Have you had your fracture re-evaluated? Do you still need to wear a brace? Had your gait analyzed/been fitted for shoes?
  • 3rdwoozie5
    3rdwoozie5 Posts: 46 Member
    An ole runner saying is, you run for a fitness level of about 2 weeks out. So you might have lost a little after the illness. But don't get discouraged, it can come back. I take Glucosamine to help with joints. Also strength training helps with runners knee. So some cross training might be helpful. But yes, Stretch, Stretch, Stretch. Most runners don't do enough of it.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Sounds like you're either trying to run too fast or you're running in wrong/old shoes.
  • Mekatluvr
    Mekatluvr Posts: 34 Member
    Thanks for the responses, and I apologize for my delayed response. Yes, I do believe it was time for me to replace my shoes. I recently purchased a new pair of running shoes, I went to a store that had me run on a treadmill so they can evaluate me, (I so did not know that type of service even existed), and OMGOSH it's heavenly!

    I made an appointment to have my ankle issue to re-evaluated. It's a long story but the summary is it was a fracture that was diagnosed improperly until it was too late, and my bone began to heal improperly.

    I started to take glucosamine, and make sure I stretch!

    Thanks guys for your suggestions. I was feeling frustrated and a bit lost, because something happened when I started to run... I found myself loving it and I didn't want to give it up!

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