Ahhh my legs!! n00b runner needs advice!

Newbie runner here too and my run last night my legs hurt too, make sure you are stretching good before the run, breath deeply and make sure to stay hydrated.

It sound like what I get, shin splints. I am working my way into running. I walk around a track and walk most of it (its .4 miles a lap at 4 mph) and then I will job the last little part of it. After every lap or two I stop and stretch my calves. It has helped alot. I don't get the pain any more and now I am having to do it less and less (unless I don't do it for a while, which I had to start all over today).

Option 3: Make sure the sneakers you purchased are right for you. When I first starting running, I had the same issues as you. I din't know that the type of sneakerswer etaht important. I just went out and bought a pair of Nike running shoes. Hell, they looked nice and felt kind of comfortable in the store. a Month later and every day I run I am have issues with pain. I went to a "running Store" and got fitted. Ended up getting fitted for Asics Kayanos. Once I purchased, my issues went away. That was 20 pairs of Asics Kayanos ago. Maybe try getting fitted for teh proper sneakers may help you out. Good Luck!

Muscle soreness in your feet and legs is normal if you are just starting out.

Keep it up! Watch out for sharp pains, but eventually the soreness will subside as your legs get stronger.

It sounds like muscle pain... and I had the same problem with the Asics I bought. Yes, you are going to have some discomfort in running if you havn't before, but shoes can make a big difference. I would recommend going to a specialty shoe store where they do an analysis on your foot and how you displace your weight. Maybe ask around at your gym to see if there is one in your neighborhood. I still had to go through a few shoes even with their help, but I think I've found a pair that will work- only mild muscle pain- which I hope will go away after wearing in the shoes...

I'm still pretty new to running but when I started I had the same exact problems. My hips, knees, ankles, and shins where in agony at various points during and after the run.

First I had the wrong type of running shoe for my gate. I found this out by getting fitted for a running shoe at one of the local running supply shoppes. Second my mind was willing but my body was not capable. I started breaking my runs up into intervals of walking and running and gradually switched it all the way over to running.

Now I run 5k's for fun, I'm never first place but I'm close to the top.

Hi All,

I've been on MFP for a few months and had success so far with cutting my cals and eating healthy to lose weight. I'm now trying to gear up my exercise and the most efficient way seems to be to get into running.

I'm 5ft3 and currently ~180lb so quite overweight for my height. I'm not, by any means fit, but I'm not a total slob - I cycle to work, do Zumba and bits and bobs in the gym. I started the c25k programme which seemed an ideal way for me to get into running. I bought myself some running shoes (Asics gt2150) and got going. I got to week 2 but my legs are killing me and I'm worried I'm doing damage, or maybe I'm just being a *****? This is the question I'd like to ask - should I push through the pain? Or stop/fix?

I am 186 and 5' 3.5"... I run just fine at a 5.0 (12min mile) on the treadmill. It is not your weight hurting you. It may be that you are "weaker" in your legs, but my money is on the shoes. :grumble:

YES... you heard that right the SHOES I have flat feet and over pronate....I have new balance WR860KM that work great , before that I had some Mizuno shoes that had a little arch support. After walking two half marathons, I had a pain on the outside of my foot in the middle... all because of the shoe.

Go to a shoe store that will watch you walk/run: this will allow them to tell you about your gage, arch, and pronation. Then they will recommend shoes that are what your feet need. With the right shoes running is just like walking :bigsmile:

First, aches and pains are normal when you start something new and running is notorious for making one bit or another of nearly everybody's legs hurt! If it's too painful for now, take an NSAID, rest and ice, and Google some running stretches. Don't be afraid to repeat a week of C25K if you found a week tough or had a break through discomfort.

Check the way your feet land - a lot of beginners aim for an exaggerated heel-toe action, when you may be more comfortable with a mid-foot landing.

Check out my blog for beginner's running advice, include niggling pain:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

Good luck!

I would take the body builder's approach. Rest for 4 days after the painful run. ( Go ahead and walk those days) Your body builds when it's at rest. When you re-work the muscles too soon, you just wreck the partially re-built muscle over and over again with poor results. With a nice rest period, those newer bigger stronger muscles are allowed to fully develop. Repeat as necessary until you are up to speed. Joints and other things will probably appreciate the time as well.

I am currently going through this exact issue and I am trying this approach. Its been four days and my legs feel pretty good again, running tomorrow....

Do you have variose veins? They caused my pain in my leg for the longest time. Had my saphneous vein (deep leg vein) ablated and those varicose veins plucked out and it was the best thing I've ever done!

Sounds liek shin splints to me. I had them for a long time everytime I tried to run when I first started. I had to stop running for about a month, than I lightly started back. There are some good stretches you can do. Maybe these websites can help.

http://www.drugs.com/cg/shin-splints.html
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/lowerleg/shinsplints.htm

I thought my shoes were right for my feet and I had run in the same shoes (well, buying new ones but the same brand and style) for years. When I got serious about running, I encountered shin splints and other problems. When I got fitted at a running store by someone who is used to looking for the little details that we don't even notice about ourselves, he showed me 2 pairs of shoes that would work for me. Thousands of shoes, but only 2 are right for me. I overpronate, but that doesn't mean that just any of the 150 pairs of tennis shoes for people who overpronate are right for me. There are a bunch of little factors that go into choosing the right shoe, and until you get professional advice, it could end up in a lot of wasted money on the wrong shoes and continued pain.

Good luck running & I hope you don't give up!

I didn't read every single reply in this thread so I'm sorry if this is not helpful whatsoever but I did run cross country and track in high school and I still run now. I'm by no means an avid runner anymore but I try to run at least a couple times a week.

If what you're experiencing is shin splints it wouldn't be muscle pain per say....it feels like your shin bone wants to break in half everytime your foot hits the pavement. In that case I would recommend stretching your legs a whole lot more...even stretching your shins. I would also advise running on softer ground like in the grass next to the street or a beach or anything that can absorb some of the shock.

If it's just your leg muscles in general that are sore it could just be because you're body is not used to running and it's adjusting in which case I think it's perfectly natural and you should just keep going. If it's painful to the point where it's hindering your exercise than maybe you should space your runs out further so your body has a chance to recuperate in between each workout. Stretching is ALWAYS helpful! People don't do it enough and it will always help. Maybe even start yoga? Yoga will help you build muscle while you stretch and could be super beneficial for you.

I just recently let myself get super out of shape and I've started running much more recently than before and my legs definitely hurt some days too. If they're too sore I just let them rest. I think pain is your body's way of letting you know it's trying to adjust. You just have to listen and try to figure out if it's telling you take a tiny step back and work your way back up or if it's just complaining and you're still good to go ahead!

Good luck!