A running question

kr9876
kr9876 Posts: 4
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello

I run on a treadmill but I find that I get pain in my calves and and foot arches while running which means that I need to stop to walk a lot to ease it. This is frustrating as I am not getting as out of breath as I could so I feel like I'm not getting the full fitness benefits. I'm wondering if I am not warming up properly - I just start with a walk and take long stretchy strides for a few minutes and then start running. Should I be doing individual muscle stretches?

Replies

  • lawlorka
    lawlorka Posts: 484 Member
    I don't stretch before I run. I do a brisk walk, and then a slow job until I feel warm and then I run.

    Can I ask what shoes you are wearing? Did you get them from a specialist running store, and have your gait analysed etc?

    It could well be that your shoes aren't suited to you
  • meltoine
    meltoine Posts: 46 Member
    Sounds like bad shoes.
  • kr9876
    kr9876 Posts: 4
    They are running trainers but just cheap generic ones rather than specifically suggested for me. I bought them when I first started. Good to know that I don't need to do stretches before I run - think I will need to go to the running shop! Thanks for the replies
  • kshadows
    kshadows Posts: 1,315 Member
    Definitely shoes!
  • too_many_cookies
    too_many_cookies Posts: 1 Member
    I used to get tightness in my calves and two things helped eliminate this for me: standing donkey kicks (a great dynamic stretch) and running slower (especially at the start of my run). With regards to foot arch pain (plantar fascitis I believe?) you may need to look at some arch support.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Hello

    I run on a treadmill but I find that I get pain in my calves and and foot arches while running which means that I need to stop to walk a lot to ease it. This is frustrating as I am not getting as out of breath as I could so I feel like I'm not getting the full fitness benefits. I'm wondering if I am not warming up properly - I just start with a walk and take long stretchy strides for a few minutes and then start running. Should I be doing individual muscle stretches?

    This statement is false. And yes, shoes.
  • aswearingen22
    aswearingen22 Posts: 271 Member
    1. Go to a running specialty store and get fitted fro shoes.
    2. Don't do stretches on cold muscles. Do dynamic warm-ups to loosen the muscles if you need to such as just walking or running slower than your normal pace. I never warm-up before I run, I just take the first mile slow to ease into it.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    I agree it sounds like bad shoes. But you can also try doing calf circles before your run (a few minutes on each side) to loosen the shins and calves. After a 5 minute walk, you can also do some calf stretching (stand on a step or the edge of the treadmill on your toes. Dip down and then go on your tippy toes, back and forth for 1 minute). Maybe it will help. Maybe not.. worth a try to see if it helps.
  • kristinegift
    kristinegift Posts: 2,406 Member
    I agree with everyone else: it's probably the shoes. When I run in shoes that the shoe-arch doesn't match my foot-arch, I get foot and calf pain like nobody's business. Definitely head to a specialty running store and get fitted for a pair of shoes that fit 100%.
  • kr9876
    kr9876 Posts: 4
    Thank you for this everyone
  • Curtruns
    Curtruns Posts: 510 Member
    Why try to be "out of breath?" Most all of my running is at a relaxed pace. Speed comes with time.
  • TomZot
    TomZot Posts: 165 Member
    Why try to be "out of breath?" Most all of my running is at a relaxed pace. Speed comes with time.

    This.

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