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.

You'll have a lot of different pains in your legs and hips as you train longer and harder, but they usually go away over time. Keep counting your calories, losing the weight, and achieving your weight-loss goals, and you'll be doing marathons in a year of two.

I'm currently running in a pair of FILAs that retailed for $65 but were discounted to $17.99 at Ross, and a pair of Nikes that were originally $80 that I got for about $30 at Kohl's. Shop the sales.

I haven't been fitted (yet) but I know my feet. I have high arches, so as long as they're well supported, I'm a happy camper. Sadly, this means that as much as I love the look of Chuck Taylors, I can't even wear them for walking without ended up with really achy feet. :sad:

I understand about budgets, but you need to protect your feet and ankles the best way you can. I have a suggestion that might help and might save you some $.

If you go to runnersworld.com and search for "pronated feet" you will get about 200 articles. There are articles about wetting your feet and making tracks on concrete to see how your feet move. There are articles about looking at the wear on the soles of the shoes you currently run in to see how your feet are. Once you know if you overpronate, underpronate or are neutral you will learn what to look for in a shoe. Then you will be a savvy shopper at a discount shoe store, WalMart, online or clearance aisles at department stores to find a pair of shoes that you can afford.

The right insole can make a bad shoe better. The problem is that a good insole will probably be more than $10. I would take a look at the available insoles looking for arch support and heel cups-might be worth a try.

Thank you for all the pointers and advice. I have been using a paved trail at the local county park. It is just over a mile which really works for the C25K training. Two years ago I was able to run (playing and chasing friends) with out any problem so I am not sure what it is. Since i am such a slow jogger right now (a fast walking pace, at best) I am landing on my heel and pushing off with my toe, maybe that is my problem, I need to learn how to run on my toes.

forget the running on your toes idea. that's for really skinny people and even then it's hard to do.