Knee pain and jogging - delayed pain or the wrong shoes?

providentialfoodie
providentialfoodie Posts: 13 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi there,

I'm new to the whole running thing. I homeschool one of my kids and decided that he and I were going to start running as part of his phys. ed. credit. We started attending a C25K group that our drs office offered and I did pretty well the first two weeks considering I don't run, but then I got new shoes. I jogged with them twice. The third time, I swear I thought the inner part of my knees were going to explode. The right side of my left knee and the left side of my right knee felt like they were going to blow out, so I had to walk the entire C25K session. It really wasn't painful walking, but when I started jogging, my knees were screaming. I'm wondering if this problem is from the shoes or if it's my body not appreciating the gradually increasing activity level regardless of the shoes. I'm going to pull out my old shoes for a while and see if it makes a difference.

Anyone else deal with anything like this?

Thanks!

Esther

Replies

  • liznotyet
    liznotyet Posts: 402 Member
    sorry for the knee pain! there was recently a thread about this, search on TOPIC: Orthotics Vs Barefoot running for over-pronators.

    I have read a lot of pro and con on barefoot running and have developed a deep distrust for running shoes. I am also a big advocate of cross training for running to strengthen all of the muscles around my knees and in my feet. Pilates, and treadmill with socks, is the first running recipe I've tried in years that has not resulted in knee pain. I have been walk/running for 4 months and am still walking more than running, but the important thing is I have not missed a session due to injury. Call me a turtle!
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I'm new to the whole running thing......I swear I thought the inner part of my knees were going to explode. The right side of my left knee and the left side of my right knee felt like they were going to blow out, so I had to walk the entire C25K session.

    Most likely you are simply going to fast. Slow it down - way down. Build up slowly.
  • PaytraB
    PaytraB Posts: 2,360 Member
    Did you have the shoes fit at a running store or buy them off the shelf? It could be that your shoes aren't supporting your feet properly.
    If you go to a running store, take your shoes with you. They'll want to see you walk in them.
  • 34blast
    34blast Posts: 166 Member
    Some good advice so far (if you post some stats e.g. Age, weight, gender, current fitness level it could help with advice)
    1). Go to a running store and have them examine your stride. They will fit the proper shoe for any issues you might have. Sounds like you might need stability shoes, but hard to tell from the internet.
    2). It sounds like the program or your interpretation of it is too aggressive for your current fitness level. You might have to back off and take a little break and build up slowly.
    3). Google is your friend. Here is one good link http://www.livestrong.com/article/459234-how-to-cure-sore-knees-from-running/
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Definitely get to a running store for a fitting if you can - but in the meantime, maybe go back to your old shoes on your next session and see if you have the same pain? Also agree with the slowing down - you may feel like you're going slow, but if there's pain, go slower. As slow as needed to complete the session - speed comes later.

    Good luck! I love c25k - it made a runner out of me!
  • providentialfoodie
    providentialfoodie Posts: 13 Member
    Thanks, everyone! :)

    It sounds like the general consensus is to slow down. I guess I'll just stick to walking and jog slower than I had been when I start that back up again.

    I had my shoes fitted at a running shoe store. The shoes I got seemed to feel fine except that there wasn't as much arch support in them as what I'm used to, which made me wonder if my knees are bending inward enough to be irritating.

    I'm in my early 40's, 5'3", 145 pounds, female, and not very active except day to day household chores, errands, etc., until about a month ago. I'm sure it was a shock to my joints to start jogging, even in short spurts.

    Thanks again!

    Esther
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    It sounds like the general consensus is to slow down. I guess I'll just stick to walking and jog slower than I had been when I start that back up again.

    It can be really hard. Had to force myself to go so slow I felt silly - and then I slowed down some more.

    Speed will come back naturally, as distance grows.

    Good luck - I'm sure you'll do very well!

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