Legs Hurting on Long Runs

jtintx
jtintx Posts: 445 Member
edited September 20 in Fitness and Exercise
I just started running this year and am going to attempt a full marathon in December. My problem is on my long runs (runs over 10 miles) my legs start to hurt. Around mile 11 or 12 my legs just start to ache. I think they are cramping but it's the whole leg not just the calf or hamstring, etc... and it's not like a charlie horse, just an overall leg pain. I'm starting out hydrated and am drinking water during the run and have Gatorade at the 7 or 8 mile point. Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to prevent them or stop them once they start? We have an 18 mile run scheduled for this weekend and I'm a little worried about it.

Replies

  • Gogo
    Gogo Posts: 9,942 Member
    Just thinking about running 18 miles makes my legs hurt! :laugh: Sorry, I don't have any words of wisdom, but kudos to you for being able to run that far! Even if your legs hurt.:drinker:
  • quinnybear
    quinnybear Posts: 243
    try cytomax instead of gatorade. its for runners and cyclist and claims to reduce that ache and do something with your V o2 max so that you feel like your exerting yourself less. i use it on long cycling rides and definitely notice a different.
  • Bretto
    Bretto Posts: 196 Member
    Have you ever tried salt sticks. My husbands Triathlon coach recommends those for long races. Maybe try enduralytes from hammer nutrition. Prior to any race I do whether it be triathlon or 1/2 marathon, I always take either aleve or ibuprophen. It does not upset my stomach & I dont notice the pain as much. My only other secret is going to a chiropractor once a week during hard training. It really keeps your body aligned. Good luck.
  • SarahW8
    SarahW8 Posts: 12
    I have a similar problem- I am training for my first marathon in October. When I hit mile 9 or so, my hip flexors ache. I'm going to try the ibuprofen before running- thanks for the idea! I've only ever thought of that as something for after a run, though I don't usually take anything.... Good luck with your training!:flowerforyou:
  • jtintx
    jtintx Posts: 445 Member
    So do you think the pain is from a nutritional deficiency (salt) or more likely just muscle fatigue of some sort (not used to running long)?
  • VballLeash
    VballLeash Posts: 2,456 Member
    I definitely think its from your nutrition.... you need to not only drink but eat something like gatorade gel or I really like cliff shot blocks. I ran a marathon a couple of months ago and at about mile 18 I was like o man I'm hurting a little but then they handed out otter pops and I was strong the last 8 miles! So I'd say thats the problem, try the shot blocks you'd be amazed at how much they help! Good luck :happy:

    ~Leash :heart:
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    So do you think the pain is from a nutritional deficiency (salt) or more likely just muscle fatigue of some sort (not used to running long)?

    I would suspect the latter. You don't indicate how long you have been running, how overweight you are, what your daily calorie intake is, what type and how old your shoes are, etc. There could be many different things going on.

    It could be that you are ramping up your distance too fast or training too much. You say you just "started running this year". I think some of these "starter" marathon programs are too ambitious--you can do a "couch to 5K", but "couch to marathon"? I don't know.

    Unless you are starving yourself of calories or carbs, chances are nutrition is not the culprit--it is more likely that you just haven't been running long enough to consistently tolerate those distances, or you have been trying to ramp up your distance too quickly and are suffering from residual fatigue.
  • jtintx
    jtintx Posts: 445 Member
    So do you think the pain is from a nutritional deficiency (salt) or more likely just muscle fatigue of some sort (not used to running long)?

    I would suspect the latter. You don't indicate how long you have been running, how overweight you are, what your daily calorie intake is, what type and how old your shoes are, etc. There could be many different things going on.

    It could be that you are ramping up your distance too fast or training too much. You say you just "started running this year". I think some of these "starter" marathon programs are too ambitious--you can do a "couch to 5K", but "couch to marathon"? I don't know.

    Unless you are starving yourself of calories or carbs, chances are nutrition is not the culprit--it is more likely that you just haven't been running long enough to consistently tolerate those distances, or you have been trying to ramp up your distance too quickly and are suffering from residual fatigue.
    I started running in January on the treadmill. By March I started running on the road. I weighed around 170 in January and I now weigh 141. I've been a cyclist for years and am aerobically fit but admit my legs aren't used to the pounding. On the long runs I feel like I could keep going aerobically but my legs just ache. I got fitted and wear Brooks running shoes. They are only a couple of months old. My daily calorie intake is around 1700 calories. My long runs have been every other weekend starting at 8 miles then 10, 13, and 15. I sweat out a lot of salt so this weekend on our 18 mile run I'm going to put Pickle Juice Sport in my water bottles and see if that will help stave off the leg cramps. If not then it's a pretty good bet that it's just the pounding my legs are taking.

    Thanks for the input everyone.
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