The Running Thread 🏃‍♀️

[keepyourpeace]

Oh no hope your ok

I'm fine just sore and bruised! And feeling guilty about not finishing Thank you

 

[Reflected view]

Yes I use it before and after I run but for some reason this week they have just been unbearable! Really knocked my confidence with running!

Have you been properly fitted for running shoes ? It could be that you don’t have enough support around your foot

 

[Steph’s]

Just done W6R2 and suffering with insanely tight calves!!! I warm up, then do 5 min brisk walk but nothing seems to help! I feel like it’s really hindering my progress now as I have to keep stopping. Any tips?

 

[JLXRD]

I don’t have one but I was planning to get one in the Black Friday deals! Do any of the Garmin watches track your general heart rate for anxiety purposes? I want one that would also tell me to breathe properly haha.

Are there any other equipment that are a must if you want to get serious about it?

I think most if not all monitor heart rate, and mine (I have a vivoactive 3) does tell you stress levels based on HR but I’m not sure I find it super accurate.

The only things I would say are an absolute must are supportive, well fitting running shoes! Everything else is just nice to to have IMO.

 

[orange club biscuit]

I keep getting blisters on the ball of my foot. I have 1000 mile socks which have never caused me an issue before and I’ve just replaced them to see if this made any difference (it doesn’t) my shoes aren’t old/done many miles and I got them properly assessed at a shop. Does anyone know why this is / what I can do to try prevent them? Not only is it incredibly annoying for running it makes just walking around my house hard enough!

Hmm whenever I’ve had unusual blisters it’s usually been in really hot weather where my feet have swelled up loads! Have you changed anything else eg mileage, run frequency? If you look on YouTube there are tons of good videos on how to re-lace your shoes so maybe it’s not that the shoes are too old but maybe the laces have got too tight over time...?

 

[Saddlesoap]

Is the pain on the outside of your knee, so like here:

I had to address weakness in my glutes with some strengthening exercises. I went to see a physio and this is what he advised me to do every other day using a resistance band (if you google the exercises you should find videos). He also said that just rest might get rid of the pain over time but the likelihood would be the issue would quickly return. I would defo recommend seeing a physio if you can.

Standing hip abduction - 2-3 sets of 8-10
Seated knee extension - 2-3 sets of 5-10
Resisted side stepping - 5 times to the left, 5 times to the right, repeat 5-10 times
Hip hitching - standing on step, 2-3 sets of 8 - 10

I also found out that my foot on the injured side was hyper-flexible (no arch or arch support) which was causing my knee to internally rotate too much and was putting too much strain on my IT band. I went to see a podiatrist and had some orthotics made to give my foot the support it doesn't have and they have really helped me.

I hope this helps a bit but let me know if you have any questions!

Ooh I wonder if this is what I get. My pain is a little lower though.

 

[Notworthy]

I’m sorry for continuing the scabby toenail discussion, but I need advice.

despite it relieving itself the other day, the blister is back, bigger than ever and I’m pretty sure it’s brewing an infection

Does it still hurt, I'd go to the phamacist for advice.

 

[Saddlesoap]

Is this after running? If so (I’m not doctor) but could be exercise induced asthma, I think a few people on here have mentioned it before, I get it now and again after a hard run. Try not to worry too much if you’re feeling otherwise OK (easier said than done I know!).

No it's totally unrelated to running. When I started last night it was at 10pm. I'm convinced I have a temperature now as well (I don't). Have booked myself a test.

 

[laughing]

I use Runkeeper, would be far too shamed to use something that would show all how slow I am

I have started couch - 10k! I am doing a half marathon in May and haven't properly ran since February so finding it a bit hard but on week 2 and already finding it more bearable/enjoyable. I go before work in the morning because I don't like running alone in the dark but it means I run on an empty stomach, which so far is fine as I used to go to the gym and work out on an empty stomach then have breakfast when I'm home and I have some gel pods to have if I feel I need anything! Any tips for breathing though as I find it almost forget to breath sometimes!

Sing - it helps to regulate your breathing. I'm the same

 

[TheDragonWithAFlagon]

I'd also say custom orthotics.


If you've still got that treadmill, you might want to check how level it is, as being slightly on a sideways slope would put stresses on one ankle more than another, especially as your shoes wore in/down over time.


Got my MRI report through today.

Six different locations for bursitis (including two that I haven't had any pain from, so they were news to me), a little cluster of arthritis inflamed but undamaged joints, one tenosynovitis of posterior tibialis tendon and a Partridge in a Fucking Pear Tree evidence of old stuff that isn't of clinical significance now.


In an ideal world, I'd be having hydrotherapy and swimming regularly to deal with this as a backup to weightbearing exercises. But, Plague. So I'm doing mini barre exercises, combined with stretching and my newest shoes/orthotics for when I leave the house to exercise.

 

[frillylilly]

This post could be TMI but...let's see. I recently started running for the first time ever (doing Couch To 5k) and almost every time I run (I've done four runs so far) I get a really sharp pain in my pelvis. It pretty much stops as soon as I'm done running. I've had a smear recently and everything's all good, don't have any other symptoms so I'm inclined to think that it's not a 'women's problem' and could be tight hip flexors/muscles? Has this happened to anyone else?!

 

[orange club biscuit]

I’ve been doing couch to 10K but been doing the same distances for a good few weeks now and I run the same amount most weeks (sometimes one extra run depending on how rest days fall!). Ooh no I’ll have a look at that that could be it, have you found taping up the area has made a difference when this has happened to you? Thanks!

Ah that’s strange - when it’s happened to me I’ve tried to let it heal otherwise it keeps re-opening and takes ages to sort out! I’m not sure whether taping it would help but maybe worth a try (sorry not massively helpful!). Maybe worth a google if you haven’t already or a look on Reddit r/running as there’s usually loads of useful stuff buried in there!

 

[Bluetomato]

oh no, gutted for you! I had IT band syndrome last year and couldn't run for six months as a result but it was because I was stupid and tried to carry on despite it. I got it with a month left of marathon training, rested for four weeks then tried to run the marathon. I made it to 12 miles before the pain was so unbearable I could only hobble a few steps before having to stop and after that it was painful for months. But (touch wood) I've made a full recovery so if you would like or need any help or advice please let me know. It's a horrible injury and I always want to help if I can when I hear someone has it.

Thanks so much for replying! I’m sorry you suffered with it too but I’m glad to hear you have made a full recovery. Is there anything else you would recommend apart from rest? How long did you rest for? I’m wondering if I could walk 5k instead of running so as not to put too much strain on my knee, but I guess that’s pushing it too much....

 

[Melody187]

This is a great thread! Does anyone have any tips for people who suffer with tendinitis? I have really short Achilles and I am prone to getting tendinitis. I go running with my dog but I’m not sure if going 2/3 times a week will make my tendinitis flare up? I would love to start this year as the gyms are closed around me but afraid of screwing up my ankles!

 

[Brian Butterfield]

That may be the fit of them/ your running socks rather than the trainers themselves.

Also 'correcting overpronation' is a bit of a myth these days - most people do better in neutral shoes as that helps you develop the muscles you need for stability. As always, get into a running shop if you can and get fitted properly. They'll also let you try multiple pairs of shoes so the sometimes higher price (aka no discounts) is worth it in my opinion because you know you're walking out with a shoe that 100% works for you. If running shops are closed due to a lockdown, get someone to take a video of you running (capturing from the knees down) and see if you can get that analysed online/ sent to a running store.

Lastly - spend money on your shoes! They're the most important thing in your aresenal and if fitted properly will prevent you getting injured. Skimp on clothing etc etc but don't skimp on runners - they're the one slightly expensive part to the sport.

In terms of stability shoes these are my own experiences. My all time favourite shoes are the Saucony Guide 13s - they're stability shoes. The brooks equivalents Adrenaline/ Ravena aren't bad either (I prefer the guides though). I know the asics gel kayanos are very popular as well but I've never run in them.

Do the Saucony Guide 13s give a nice "bounce" if that makes sense? I just bought some Adidas Ultraboost to replace my previous Adidas (which I really liked) and whilst the Ultraboost are really comfortable they don't really give me that light-footed bouncy energy return and my knees are hurting.

 

[Into_the_tunnel]

Got a few friends trying to convince me to do an Ultra but I value my feet too much to bother #respectthefeet

I would say #respecttheachilles .

 

[OwlWatcher23]

I've ordered a habit tracker so I'll have a visual display of if I've been running Wenlock - hoping that'll provide enough accountability to make me stick with it!

 

[fluffyglitterbug]

Did my last interval run today. With less walking and more running my time improved a little. if I have no aches will be completing week 6 tomorrow. This is where I ended last time due to injury and then lockdown ended and i went back to swimming.
25 minutes running. When I have done it I will feel so proud.

@Clickbait How are You getting on?
@fluffyglitterbug I know you won’t be a french fry yet. How’s it going? Maybe a chunky chip?

Definitely not a french fry yet, but I'm heading towards chunky chip status!! Went for my second week 4 run at lunch (yay for working from home!) but my legs are little bit painful and I think a lot of that is down to the trainers I'm wearing. So I am spending the afternoon perusing proper outdoor running trainers!

Any recommendations?

Well done for reaching 25 minutes!! I'm about 10 days away and can't imagine doing that...but time will tell!

I’ve just started Couch to 5k and did week 1 run 2 today. I’m horribly unfit but thought this would be a good idea. I’m finding it hard going, the last two runs are tough. For those who’ve done it before - is it worth me repeating week 1 until I can comfortably run all 8 runs before I progress to week 2?

Go at your own pace I almost died the on my week 1, run 1 - but by the end of the week I found it manageable. I *think* (and someone more knowledgeable may be able to help here) you don't want to get tooo comfortable at each stage. If you step up to the next week and find it too much then definitely drop back and do the previous week's runs. I started out horrifically unfit but finding my fitness levels improving quite a bit each week

 

[TinaTree]

I know this is more of advice thread but does anyone follow any running influencers on insta? I used to like ProjectMarathonGirl but she got on my nerve during her pregnancy and now shes had her child its like she is the only woman to ever have a baby! I dont mind Kellogs_ontherun but i am curious how her and Welshrunner manage to maintain their lifestyle and 4 kids on influencer income when they don't have massive audiences.

 

[Tippingpoint23]

Anyone got any races coming up?

London land marks half in august!