Achy, stiff ankles

[RebeccaSK]

Advice please! After running I am getting stiff ankles. There is no pain at all, they're literally a bit stiff and creaky. I'm working on increasing stamina and endurance and, as such, doing more hill work and some fartleks all supervised within my running club. As yet, have not really increased the distance I'm running much - and definitely not more than 10% each week. Running three times a week absolute max, always with rest days inbetween.

My question is this. Is this just something that is normal to feel as I work on my running? I am overweight - although less so than when I started C25K - and I have a collapsed arch on my left foot. I have always over-pronated (even before the broken metatarsals that lead to the collapsed arch) and wear stability, motion control trainers with orthotics. I try and avoid a lot of downhill running (not easy when you're trying to concentrate on improving your uphill running) and I don't overstride. Before I graduated from C25K I was getting shin splints but as I've worked to improve strength via swimming and spinning, these have happily disappeared. When I was doing C25K I definitely had aches in my legs as my body got used to the running but these went away as I improved.

I want to stress - there is no pain at all!

[Tomas Graduate10]

Is it mainly in the morning when you get up, or does the stiffness linger all day?

My ankles are stiff in the morning and the Achilles tendon in one leg often a bit sore as well. This tends to go away after a short while. I mentioned it to a physio a couple of years ago and was told that it's not unusual and probably just caused by muscles and tendons having contracted a bit while resting overnight, so they're giving a small moan as they need to stretch and carry a load again in the morning. Nothing to worry about she said, and I've learnt to live with it.

[RebeccaSK in reply to Tomas]

It's worst when I get up - I feel like an old woman!!! I do feel this is just my body doing its thing and mildly protesting at being forced into exercise but I'm desperate not to give up running having come so far and now seeing real improvements in my running as a result of the fartleks and stamina work, almost on a weekly basis. I'll keep going - if I get pain that's when I'll obviously seek medical assistance - but I pretty much concur with exactly what you're saying Tomas so thank you for the reassurance!

[roseabi in reply to Tomas]

I'm like that too

[RebeccaSK in reply to roseabi]

Excellent - I'm going to stop worrying about it. We do exercises as part of our running club drills to strengthen ankles so hopefully it will get better in time. This running club is AMAZING - many of my running friends are very envious that I have such a good club relatively close-by and I feel totally blessed! It is definitely making me a better runner and I notice improvements each week! Incredible!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Hi...

I just laughed when I read your reply to Tomas..because, I feel like that and I am an old woman.. and I rub my ankles, legs, calves and knees and toes..vigorously...before I actually stand in the morning

I really do rub quite hard... if I don't I hobble... Just like my Nan!

[RebeccaSK in reply to Oldfloss]

I hobble to the bathroom every morning. However, strangely, other aches and pains have disappeared since I've been running. James says I don't make an old woman's groaning noise as I get up from my chair every evening now! I also had a problem with my elbow and wrist before I started running and those problems have gone away completely - goodness knows how running's done that. Anyway Oldfloss you are only as old as you feel and you're not old - and I definitely do not think of you as old. Maybe that's just because I'm getting older myself

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to RebeccaSK]

Tee hee.. since caring for small runner in training twice a week.. I feel like a child again... husband says he is not sure who is having most fun

[misswobble Graduate10]

I have concrete ankles first thing in the morning but it wears off as I get moving. I usually have a calf twanging or a nail falling off 😁

[RebeccaSK in reply to misswobble]

I'm so glad it's not just me. for the past couple of days, however, I've had a bit of a dodgy knee which is worrying me. No Parkrun for me this morning

[misswobble Graduate10]

Have a rest then. It won't hurt to have a few days off

I had a dodgy knee for ages when doing Couch but it wore off as I got stronger, and has never recurred. Fingers crossed 🤞

[RebeccaSK in reply to misswobble]

Yep, I had a dodgy knee when I did C25K but, like you, it strengthened as I carried on. this is different. It doesn't hurt to walk (or run) on at all - but I keep getting twinges.

[misswobble Graduate10]

I think you're always going to have something niggling. If it gets worse you have to ease back and see how it goes