CALLING ALL RUNNERS!!! Pain in lower legs??? Need Help!

Sweetie, go see a doctor and get an xray, im very concerned you could have a stress fracture from doing a bit too much too soon!

Is the pain in the front/shin? If so It is probably a shin splint. If not, I have no idea. If it is a shin splint it means you need new shoes or to add cushions in them. This just happened to me 3 weeks ago. it means you have rest for a week (Like don't even walk) and put ice on them and/or Icy-hott. After a week of rest go running again and the pain will come right back but you HAVE to run through it, it will stop after you run though it. Always stretch it before/after and sometimes during workouts.

I would also advise a doctor. I'm not a great runner, but my mum and sister are SRS BSNS athletes for netball so they know about this stuff.

If it's muscular, I can help. If it's not, sorry I can't

Assuming it's muscular... Did you warm up before and after? I often get very sore if I don't warm up properly.
It could be your shoes - like the way you're landing - shoes help this
I would advise going to a sport shop and getting something called a spiky ball: http://www.mytpi.com/images/products/medium/spikey_ball_kit.jpg
No, I'm serious, lie there and grind this thing into your muscles. It helps sooo much. Also, hot showers and baths, and also ice baths and showers help. Lots of water, make sure you get enough sodium, etc.

These all help

Hope it gets better soon!

yeah, so go see a doctor and get an xray to make sure it's not a stress fracture --- if it is, you shouldn't be able to walk on it at all - it will hurt THAT bad, so you should be able to tell, but get an xray to rule it out. You want to treat it right so that you can run again. - .

If it turns out to NOT be one.....welcome to my world

So there is muscle that runs along your shin bone - hurts like hell! That's where the term "shin splints" comes from, but a TRUE shin splint is actually a stress fracture in the shin. SO any way, stretch, stretch, stretch ---- before AND after. I ice it down after stretching. I wear compression knee high socks to hold it tight, makes a huge difference. AND yesterday I ran over an hour straight - feeling great, so there's hope. BUT I went to the doctor to make sure it wasn't a stress fracture, I completed physical therapy as recommended, I stretch ALOT ---- it's important to note that the IT band that runs along the outside of the thigh gets tight when we are learning to run --- seems weird, but when it gets tight it pulls muscles up from the foot (causing that pain in our lower legs) and down from the hip (which causes lower back pain).

Anyway, I can't stress the fact that you stretch --- it's imperative.

Once you feel better, listen to emmaleigh47, slow it way down. C25k is a great program --- I modified it to repeat days until I felt comfortable moving on the next one. Every now and again my shin area hurts, I stretch - ice- and take at least two days off from running --- swim instead and then I'll start walking to make sure it doesn't hurt before I run again.

the other thing, I watched EVERY video I could find on You Tube showing how to Chi Run. Made ALL the difference in the world

Great mile time! Before I start my run, I stretch my calves and legs a bit, and then stretch after when my body is warmed up. Its helped my calf pain, and now I don't have it anymore. Glad you found something you like doing. I LOVE my treadmill. I'm running 2 to 4 miles a day now. I never thought I'd me that girl. Good Luck

Completely agree about too much too fast!! You have to take it easy, with both speed and distance, especially when you are first starting out. I'm a seasoned runner and I still get caught in the trap of ramping up my mileage too fast as soon as the weather changes. And it usually bites me on the butt. I would also recommend that you find a program like C25k or on runnersworld.com to provide some structure to your routine.

I would also recommend that you get to a specialty running store and get fitted for shoes. Your joints will thank you. Many, but not all injuries and pains are simply caused by ill fitting shoes.

I am going to disagree with that.

I would first get to a running coach and have your technique checked. You can get the best shoes in the world but if your technique is bad, its not going to help.

Everyone assumes they just know how to run correctly. Most people overpronate or supinate, etc... See a running coach or atheletic therapist and get your technique checked.

If they recommend shoes, THEN go get shoes.

The shoe store is ALWAYS going to push shoes over technique. Shoes solve every problem because they sell shoes.

Completely agree about too much too fast!! You have to take it easy, with both speed and distance, especially when you are first starting out. I'm a seasoned runner and I still get caught in the trap of ramping up my mileage too fast as soon as the weather changes. And it usually bites me on the butt. I would also recommend that you find a program like C25k or on runnersworld.com to provide some structure to your routine.

I would also recommend that you get to a specialty running store and get fitted for shoes. Your joints will thank you. Many, but not all injuries and pains are simply caused by ill fitting shoes.

I am going to disagree with that.

I would first get to a running coach and have your technique checked. You can get the best shoes in the world but if your technique is bad, its not going to help.

Everyone assumes they just know how to run correctly. Most people overpronate or supinate, etc... See a running coach or atheletic therapist and get your technique checked.

If they recommend shoes, THEN go get shoes.

The shoe store is ALWAYS going to push shoes over technique. Shoes solve every problem because they sell shoes.

Was going to add that I'm not sure what you mean w/ that last sentence. Shoes often solve a lot of problems because they are the problem. You hardly read an article about running/performance that doesn't mention them

As for increasing speed too fast, it can absolutely lead to injury.

Most people want to overanalyze things, when quite often, it's the basics like shoes or too much too fast causing all the problems.

Was going to add that I'm not sure what you mean w/ that last sentence. Shoes often solve a lot of problems because they are the problem. You hardly read an article about running/performance that doesn't mention them

As for increasing speed too fast, it can absolutely lead to injury.

Most people want to overanalyze things, when quite often, it's the basics like shoes or too much too fast causing all the problems.

That's the last time I try to post from my iphone....LOL!! I knew about the response w/no comments, but then the triple comment post. GEEZ!

Anyway....to summarize, get fitted for shoes, stick to the 10% rule of thumb regarding distance, and ease into speed (speed intervals are a great way to do that!). For the most part, I have stuck to all of the above and remained injury free for 3 years now.