all you runners and joggers

I did the C25K program too. Mine ankles hurt a little bit in the beginning but then it was mosty my kness and shins. I talked to a couple people on here and they told me to stretch before and after jogging and that really did help a lot. And also had a glass of milk a while after running. That and I went and got some really good running shoes. I'm not really much help with the ankle pain though, lol.

no, but my upper legs used to get so itchy...it had to do with circulation...since I run way more now I don't seem to have that problem anymore though. Thanks goodness!

I am an over pronator and I didn't know that when I first started so I had a ton of problems but after getting appropriate shoes I'm good to go! I recommend getting fitted for the right shoe!

I'm no expert but in my limited experience the things to look for are:
1. Shoes. Did you go to a proper store with assistants who know about running? This makes the world of difference because they'll watch you walk up & down and use that to judge which shoes to go for. I've ran in running shoes I just happened to have had in and shoes that were selected with the help of a pro and I can tell you the latter was like running on feathers by comparison.
2. Stretching. Are you remembering to spending time stretching before and after a run. I'm really bad for forgetting to stretch AFTER a run, I'm too busy thinking about water and shower! I've had other aches (more in the Achilles heel area for me) and I stretch before & after a run but also before bed & when I wake.

In addition to good shoes (and socks... cushiony athletic socks make a way bigger difference than I EVER thought possible), where are you running? If you're running on a sidewalk or the side of a road, even the slight slope for rain runoff can throw you just the tiniest bit off balance. I knew a guy who went to doctor after doctor for a knee problem, and it ended up being that he ran the same route on the same side of the road, and the angle messed him up. He started alternating which side of the road he ran on, and the pain went away.

Last year I tripped over an adze, landed badly and injured my ankle. From time to time it still niggles away, and I was a little worried that running might aggravate it. However, before I even started, I got some decent running shoes, and guess what? No problems at all!

It really is worth getting properly fitted, and spending the money on good shoes. Good luck with the rest of c25k!

i cant afford more than a 10 dollar pair of shoes from walmart, but i will look into it. thank you.

Shoes really are *super* important if you're going to be running/jogging regularly. If you can't afford to buy shoes right now, I highly recommend you save up until you can. It may seem like an extravagance, but the average athletic shoe is not designed to support running, especially if you're an overpronator (many people are), and you can do damage to your joints (ankles/knees/hips) if you continue running long-term with shoes that don't work for you.

If all you can afford are 10 dollar shoes then look in your area for a HS rubber track, that might help your ankle and have you considered running barefoot. I think you would be more comfortable running barefoot than in those wal-mart shoes. I have some steel-toe boots I purchase from Wal-mart and would like to find the President of the company to beat him up side the head with that shoe it is that painful.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barefoot_running

There's a faction of runners who believe that athletic shoes are actually the cause of a lot of our injuries b/c they promote poor running form. They encourage barefoot running or running in very minimal shoes and using proper technique ... which involves the way way you carry your body and making sure to "toe strike" (leading with your toes when you come down) and a bunch of other stuff I'm not real clear on.

I still totally wear my $130 Brooks for each and every run but I have found that if I'm feeling any pain and I start focusing on my form, especially striking with my toes, that it usually goes away.

There's plenty of stuff on the internets about "barefoot running." Also Jeff Galloway has an "injury free" running program you could check out. I believe it deals with moderate increases in speed and distance to limit injury potential - though I would think C25K wouldn't fit within that.

Are you using the correct shoes? Go to a local running shop and have them analyze your running style.