Frustration of ankle pain

[WendyHC]

Just off-loading! (Plan to follow ankle exercises as already mentioned on this fabulous informative supportive site.)

Feet/ankles started to ache at week 7, had gait analysis, new shoes.

Seems to be taking longer to recover from each run. Two runs last week including ParkRun on Saturday. Haven't managed to get out since as aching on walking. Worried I'm going to slip back, my wobbly bits will start to wobble more & my stamina will reduce.

Hoping it's just a short term thing (graduated a month ago). My (un)helpful running friend says "what do you expect when you take up running at your age?" Rude (48)!

Do I run (slowly) through the discomfort or continue to rest?

Thanks for reading.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

If it is an ache... then with some exercises and gentle massage.. maybe head out. But..if it is real pain, then no. We don't lose stamina that quickly... what distances have you been running and how often since graduation?

[WendyHC in reply to Oldfloss]

My park run time is around 35 minutes and had been puttering for 30minutes twice during the week.

[Hidden]

Are you sure it is not the shoes?. I have been running over a year with a few left ankle twinges that resolve as I carry on. I had new shoes two months ago that agrevated my ankle to being achy the whole run and cutting runs short. Change of shoes to like my old ones and my ankle has settled again. I did run through aches but cut short with pain. My ankle was fine otherwise. I do a few exercises such as balancing on one foot, pulling toes up, ankle stretches on the stairs etc. Keep strengthening and see how it goes. Btw running at 48 is absolutely great and should be encouraged. We are not old, just well oiled and raring to go!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Love that...I am going to tell folk I am well oiled !!! Wonderful!

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Put it this way I am not in the knackers yard yet lol.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Nor me... not by a long way! Had a whale of a time on the see-saw in the park this afternoon... ( I was with small runner in training though... and Little Mum!)

[WendyHC in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. Get the WD40 out!!

[mrrun Graduate10]

No, please don't run through discomfort, l know how that may end up and you defo don't want to go there. Let's just say that a mix of physio and associated costs are not the best friends.

When l felt discomfort in my ankle I knew it didn't come from running shoes as l got them through a sports lab guys who also did my gait analysis. It came from my normal, 'civilian', non suppport but cool looking Converse

The moment l got 'walking' trainers the ankle issue was no more.

Please go and check it out before you hurt yourself. Don't worry, you won't drop your stamina easily!

Oh, and tell your mate l started running in my fifties, 10K is my current open love and I'm looking forward to tackling half marathon next year if all is well.

Age doesn't matter, it's all about you, your motivation and your goal.

You can do it!

[WendyHC in reply to mrrun]

Thanks. I will be a park run volunteer this week I think.

[WendyHC]

Update. As the trouble started at week 7 I decided to go back to week 6 & have a gentle, short jog on Saturday. Felt very strange stopping running to walk for a few minutes!

Good news is that I didn't even think about my ankle when I walked downstairs this morning & did another week 6 trot this morning without apparent problems.

I shall keep it slow & steady & gradually build up again.

Thanks all for the advice.