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Topic: Please help--running injury (?)  (Read 1459 times)

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    • Dharma in the Dishes
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Please help--running injury (?)
« on: April 22, 2006, 11:05:56 PM »
Injury might not be the right word--it could be a stride problem. Since I began running three weeks ago, I've noticed that during and after my runs, my right leg (particularly the hamstring right above the knee and the upper part of the calf) are feeling the strain and a bit sore. Today, however, even though I felt much stronger in my lung capacity and heart rate and even though I actually wasn't feeling it too much in my leg during the run, after my workout, I started getting stiff in the hamstring and calf on the right leg, and now it's bed time (ran at 8.30 this morning, now it's a bit after 10 PM) and my leg is stiff and very sore. I'm limping. It does feel like muscle soreness as there are no sharp pains that might indicate something else. But it's curious to me that my left leg has felt perfectly fine after every run. It's just my right leg doing this. I'm thinking it must be the result of some sort of error in the way my right foot strikes the ground. Can someone help me? I don't want to do myself a mischief and end up unable to train at all, but if I can't figure out what's causing this, I may have to give up running. There's no way I'm going to pop a hamstring and end up having to give up the Firm or something horrible like that!!



Re: Please help--running injury (?)
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2006, 11:52:10 PM »
hummm...could be you put more weight on your right leg...I just started jogging again, not running, but a light slow jog.  I took a boot camp class back in SF and I got minor shin splints, so I only jog every other day.  And not far, 2-4 miles max.  Right now since I just started back, I have been working up to it.  The off days I walk about 3 miles, fast brisk walk.

Stretching before and after is a must do,  Im not sure what the answer is to your pain.  How often and how far are you running?  Trail or treadmill??  Im hoping another runner posts some advice too!!


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Re: Please help--running injury (?)
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2006, 03:19:07 PM »
Carla -
I'm sorry to hear you have an injury.  I've had LOTS of experience in running injuries - mostly over-training injuries. I'm plagued by left leg only injuries - so it's not uncommon to have an injury only on one side.  I have a few ideas.

What is your milage right now?  How many days a week are you running?  You could be doing too much too fast.

It could be a foot strike problem and possibly you are wearing incorrect shoes?  I believe these muscles are used when you push off in your next stride.  If you over/under pronate you may be landing awkwardly and causing stress on the tendons.  I reccommend going to a running specific store to have your shoes properly fitted. 

Biggest advice I have for you - DO NOT run if you feel constant pain.  Runners do feel pain and there are some we can run through.  If this pain is constant during your run - stop.  You could be causing more damage which will take longer to heal.  It's easier now to take time off now while your milage is still low.  I've popped a hamstring and it took 6 weeks to recover and I ended up having to cancel a marathon I was training for!  If you are limping, you should NOT be running.  Try rubbing some balm on the injured area to help loosen up the muscle and rest it a few days.  Can you get Tiger Balm over there?  It's one of my favorites and the smell isn't too offensive.

GOOD LUCK!!



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Re: Please help--running injury (?)
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2006, 07:38:27 AM »
I don't count mileage, I do interval training (run/walk) for the cardiovascular benefit. At the moment, I am at 3.30 run/2 walk for 6 reps. This feels like a good workout with a mild sweat. I have Nike Air running shoes that are meant to correct pronation, although I didn't actually have an expert fit them. (What expert--there was nobody in the shop but a bunch of kids the day I bought my shoes!) I was only limping for a day, and that was because of muscle soreness/stiffness. I am putting off my next run until this Friday to give my leg time to sort itself out. In the meantime, I'm sticking with aerobics and weight training (my usual and preferred training--I've only added in two runs a week for a cross-training benefit). We'll see how it goes, but if it turns out I can't run, never mind. I've only wasted about £200 on an interval training watch, shoes and reflective shell! LOL


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