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!
Written by
RebeccaSK
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
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.
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!
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!
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!
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
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
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.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Moving on from C25K - shaky, stiff legs during rest intervals
Sprained Ankle Advice
How to get back to running after an ankle injury
Ankle, calf and magic plan 
Speed work and ankles
