Just finished week 2 and my knees are so sore.Anyone else suffer like this?Should I keep running through the pain?

[laurav2166]

[Beek Graduate]

I would say No. Do not force yourself through pain if they are really painful.

You are starting using a whole new set of muscles and your body needs to catch up with you. If you push blindly on you risk causing yourself an injury.

Do you do stretching exercises when you finish running? In my experience they are essential to prevent muscle aches the next day. If you think it is your joints aching I would consider seeing a sports physiotherapist if you can manage it.

[laurav2166 Graduate]

Thank you for your reply. Yes I stretch after. I haven't run in 15 years so the muscles haven't been used in a while, they're not painful once I'm 15 minutes into the routine (so they must be warmed up by then) but this morning they hurt and walking up and down stairs is agony.

[crox Graduate]

You'll have to see how it goes, is there a sweatshop near you that can do gait analysis? It could be that it's just new exercise. How was week 1? You could try staying on week 1 for a couple of weeks with an extra days rest each run, then if it goes ok, restart the programme.

But I'd stress that you need to listen to your body - not that I often do

[laurav2166 Graduate]

Thank you for your reply. Week 1 was how I expected to feel after a new type of exercise, very different to this week! I want to stick at it I wonder if going to one of those shops where you get properly fitted for trainers will help. That might be my mission of the day

[LMS2110 Graduate]

Hi Laura, there are two sensible replies above. I entirely agree with the suggestions to have your gait analysed, stretching after your runs, and allowing your body to recover for longer between runs if necessary. It is on rest days that your muscles heal and strengthen ready for the next time.

If, after two or three days rest your knees are still painful, then a Dr's/Physio's advice might be another good idea. With luck you will receive assurance that your body is just getting used to the programme and all will be well soon. You will run happily with peace of mind.

By the way, if you wish to reply to postings/replies to your news/questions etc, you could click on the 'reply to this' yellow box .... then your respondents will hear via e-mail, that you've seen their comments. You'll soon find that hearing back from postings is one of the most helpful features of this amazing forum.

I hope your knees feel better really soon, then wish you loads of luck in the weeks ahead. Take care.

Cheers, Linda

[JodieM92]

I had this problem around week two in my first attempt at this a couple of years back. I wore a support bandage to work so I didn't get any worse took a weeks rest, which I hated because I felt like I had barely even started, just did week 1 run 2 today I'm really hoping it doesn't happen this time round.

[Road_Runner Graduate]

Hi, I had pain on my knees when I first started. So I got a new pair of trainers specifically for running and now I no longer feel pain in my knees when I run.

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate]

Hi Laura, you got some great advice right there. WhenI started the programme I also had pains in my knees. This continued until I visited a running shop and told I was wearing the wrong trainers and also what my gait was. After purchasing the most expensive trainers I had ever bought, now I feel like I have two giant marshmallows strapped to my feet ( hahahaha ). You must remember to stretch before and after your runs, I have learned that the hard way. So listen to your body and ensure you rest.

[Saruma Graduate]

Yes, definitely get some proper running shoes. I also struggled with knee pain during the first few weeks, so much so that it would wake me in the night. Never get a twinge now (fingers crossed) x

[Hidden]

Hi

What surface do you run on? Do you road run? If so, as well as gait analysis, make sure you are wearing the right sort of shoes. I'm probably teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, but just a thought.

Also, have you tried ibuprofen (pain killer and anti-inflammatory)? My doctor recommended them to me when I had knee problems whilst hill walking. Their advice was to take two an hour or so before going out, and to listen to your body. If it still hurts, STOP!