Gutted - please help!

[Outofpuff]

I was half way through C25k, never having been able to run in my life (now late 40’s) and really chuffed I’d got to running a whole 5 minutes - when my leg began to hurt. Probably stupidly I continued to run on it until the pain finally made my brain accept I had to stop. I’ve now got a knee support and taking anti-inflammatorys. The pain is on the inside of my left leg to the right of my knee and I wince when I touch the area which is sore. Anyone got any idea what it is and how long it will be before I can get running again - and do I start from where I left off or begin all over again?

[sallenson Graduate]

Oh no! Poor you. Best advice at the moment is just to let the swelling go down but start walking on it gently when it's not too painful. But easy and gently does it. I guess we've all had niggles like this (tho mine was a broken elbow which took me out for a month). On your knee problem, have you had your gait checked and do you have the right running shoes? If they're okay then are you over-striding or running too fast which can put additional pressure on your knees? Get your pain sorted out but then think slow and gentle when you're mobile again. It's not a race and you can do this. We're all different and progress at different speeds.

Let us know how you get on. Sharing your guttedness tho...

[Outofpuff Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Thanks sallenson. I have had my gait assessed and spent £135 on some asics so come rain or shine I have to justify the expense and get back out there! I just hope it won’t take too long and I don’t have to start at the beginning again. I’m wondering if running on concrete has put too much pressure on? The last couple of runs I did on grass but by then the damage was done! I’ve ordered a Pilates dvd to work on my core in the meantime! Thank you for your positivity and hope the elbow is better now...

[pinkaardvark Graduate]

See a physio. If it's that important to you and you want to get back to running asap then professional advice is best. Otherwise wait until there is zero pain however long that may take.

[Outofpuff Graduate in reply to pinkaardvark]

More money! Thanks for the advice.

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Outofpuff]

But probably worth it I'd reckon. But I'm sympathetic to the frustration when you'd got into your stride....

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Outofpuff]

I ignored pain my hip because I love running.

Result - three months off and thrice weekly (USA expensive) physio sessions that almost had me crying. My hip would have been ok if I'd had it seen to early but I had dislocated it.

Money is no joke but I'd rather spend it on living than my heirs 😉

Wishing you many happy miles in your future ☺

[Outofpuff Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks Irish-John - I’m gonna take everyone’s advice and make an appointment tomorrow. Hope the hip is better?

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Outofpuff]

It will let me know it's there for the rest of my life OuP - but so far so good, it's staying in its socket

I'll run that full marathon yet LOL

Good luck with the appointment and keepus posted -w e're all in it together round this way

[pinkaardvark Graduate in reply to Outofpuff]

Sorry, didn't mean to sound harsh. But if you catch it early you may get some sterling advice and hopefully it won't cost that much.

[sallenson Graduate]

Sounds like a sport physio visit is a great idea. They'll diagnose the problem and give you advice on how to strengthen the knee if that's the culprit. But take comfort in the fact that you're a runner now and no-one can take that away from you - you're just on a bit of a break atm... Fingers crossed for you.

[Outofpuff Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Thank you. The more I think about it the more I’m coming round to the idea of a physio. I’ll re-post if I do and if I think my experience can be of use to others..

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Oh dear.. we are not medics here.. so see either yr GP, but more usefully, a Sports Physio...

Running with pain is a mistake and it needs checking out. The runs will still be there and you will be sorted

[Leojon66]

So sorry to hear it and all sympathies - I posted earlier today about sumilar knee pain! Lots of good advice above - I also read somewhere a post by an Admin/Graduate saying if you miss less than two weeks, you probably haven't lost any fitness and no need to repeat weeks - unless you want to. But of course no running until knee fully better.

Have had to use sport physios for other problems before and they can work absolute miracles! See if you can get a recommendation (they are not all alike and some specialise in parts of the body). Worth every penny. Good luck.

[Outofpuff Graduate in reply to Leojon66]

Thank you so much for replying. I’ll check out your post. I hope your knee improves. I have two preschool children and a job which means I don’t have the luxury of elevation but I’ve heard frozen peas can help! Am off to check out physios...

[Leojon66 in reply to Outofpuff]

I've been there (more years ago than seems possible), complete with stressful job and travelling, so fully empathise with all you are trying to juggle, good on you improvung your health and fitness, will pay back in spades 👏👏👏

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Leojon66]

I missed an entire month of running shortly after I graduated because of travel plans.

I had a great run my first day back. I did walk 5k every day when I was on the road - fitness at our level is not the delicate thing at the elite levels of athletes all those " You lose it in two weeks" results are based on As long as you do something to move the body, you don't need to go back to scratch 🙂

[mateinone]

Before you do go to the physio (which mind you can be a great option), perhaps give it 2-3 days of Rest, Ice, Compression & Elevation.

I know you say it is hard to elevate it, but 3 hours a day, 20 minutes of icing it whilst elevated is a good start.

When you feel you might be ready, go for a 30 minute walk and see how you pull up the next day (rest it that day)

If you are okay you should be able to tentatively try again for a run, but use your body as your guide.

If it is still giving you issues, you really will have to see a medical professional

[Outofpuff Graduate in reply to mateinone]

Thank you so much for the advice. The frozen peas have now melted and a small puddle has formed on the sofa but hopefully it’s a small price to pay..!

[Outofpuff Graduate]

Great advice. Thank you. I’ll try that this evening.

[mayaena Graduate in reply to Outofpuff]

I had this problem with peas. In the end, I invested in a few gel packs to put in the freezer (more money - but they are fairly cheap). Way better!

[Outofpuff Graduate in reply to mayaena]

Wait - you mean I can legitimately spend more money? I’m googling as we speak...

[mrrun Graduate]

My knee started like yours but I ignored it all and ploughed on. Then my knee ballooned even more than my stupid arrogant attitude and I reached the stage where I could walk no more (the post with my lovely experience is pinned on the forum board somewhere). Of course, running stopped being on agenda for months while a physio and an osteopath moved in. And moved in and charged me, they did.

It was costly, and the GP's referral only came through 7 (seven) months later, so what I wanted to save up on shoes and gait analysis, I paid royally through private care, which in London came as cheap as it did.

Rest up, elevate, put some ice packs on the knee and hope all is fine. I certainly don't wish anyone what I went through so let's hope yours will be a minor niggle. (but do go and check the shoes with gait analysis guys! Google the best, don't settle for what I did).

And DO NOT run through pain!

[Outofpuff Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Are you better now and how is the running going? It’s hard not to feel gloomy at this stage having felt I was for the first time ever making running progress and I’ve now skidded to a halt - just as I’d bought Runners World magazine and expensive running shoes.

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Outofpuff]

The good thing is that they fixed my knee and l then spent some money on professionals who fitted my shoes, having analysed my gait first. That was over a year ago.

Since then l haven't had any problems and not only have l completed the program but have also got very comfortable at medium distances (10k plus) and finished my first half marathon on Sunday just gone.

Can't see why you can't do it when so many of us have!

Best of luck!

[orangeguy]

I can’t offer you any advice as to what the problem is but what I have found out is that you need to fully recover before starting to run again. Sadly this seems even truer the older we get, trying to run through pain and restarting too early only prolongs the injury. Some years ago I had a stress fracture which took me nearly six months to fully recover from all because I kept restarting running before I should have, I've learnt the hard way. In the meantime try other forms of exercise and maybe some strength building.

[Outofpuff Graduate in reply to orangeguy]

Thanks orangeguy - are you actually orange? Are you back running now?

[orangeguy in reply to Outofpuff]

No I'm not really orange . . . but I am back running, I've just started the Bridge to 10k, no idea whether I will achieve it but I'm giving it a go.

[CatMo13 Graduate]

This is a good post for me to read as my knee has been playing up too and I’ve not run since Sunday. I’ve got an appt for osteopath on Friday, he specialities in sports and recommended by my hubby. I just want to nip it in the bud and get back to running!(as we all do!) Good luck to you and keep us posted.

[Outofpuff Graduate in reply to CatMo13]

It’s very frustrating isn’t it? Where abouts in your knee are you having problems? I hope it heals quickly with the help of the osteopath.

[CatMo13 Graduate in reply to Outofpuff]

Mine suddenly hurt when I was running uphill , behind the knee at the back of the leg, but it’s since moved round the the front below the knee cap! Will let you know how I get on tomorrow ☺️

[sallenson Graduate]

Hopefully the outpouring of sympathy and advice has helped. We've all been there to some extent. Let us know how you get on with the physiotherapist. Catch these things early and you'll be back in your trainers in no time!

[limberlou Graduate]

I had pain down the j side of my right thigh to my knee and it didn’t go away with stretching so I went to a good sport masseur and oh what a difference!!! That was a month ago. It made such a difference that I booked another session this month just because I felt so good afterwards.

She gave me quite a bit of advice too to follow up at home. Well worth it