Completed my W3 R2 yesterday and began to experience pain just below my left kneecap. Have not done a run today to give it a rest but went on my bicycle instead. It seems a bit better today...any tips?
Arrow to the knee: Completed my W3 R2 yesterday... - Couch to 5K
Arrow to the knee
Ha how weird! Posted very similar issue just above and also after w3r2! Will watch ur replies with interest!
You get these niggles when you're new to running but they wear off as you get stronger
Cycling, walking and swimming is all good cross training for your off days and will help you strengthen your body to support your running
You can take a few days rest if you need to ☺
Funny this but I had knee pain too, but I seem to have worked through it.
If you think about it though, I assume because you are on this forum that you, like me, are new to running. Which unless you have been a great walker means your knees are not used to the exercise. I am sure if you started lifting heavy weights or doing anything out of the ordinary some bit of you would hurt. Other contributing factors might be carrying extra weight is going to put more strain on the knees and if you are running on pavement rather than grass that won't help either.
Knees are always a worry because you hear such horror stories, only you know how bad it is.
My advise, don't push it, but don't give up either. Use the rest days to rest, your body (and your knees) need that time to heal.
Review your running shoes, go see your local running shop, not only will they advise on shoes, but they should be able to review the way you run. It might be you need an orthotic in one of both of your shoes which will just tilt the foot slightly putting different pressure on your ankle, calf and knee.
Good luck and let us all know how you get on.
I've just posted this on the thread above, but here is the link to the quad strengthening exercises my physio gave me to combat knee problems. The really do work but you have to stick with them.
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Good luck
This is an odd one, it must be the timing. I had a very (and I mean very) slight twinge in my knee before W2 R3 but carried on regardless. On the penultimate 90 seconds it was very painful but I finished the podcast as I had my daughter with me and wanted to be the enthusiastic Mum (!).
That was last Monday and I've been unable to walk properly since. I'm so cross with myself for not paying attention to the twinge and stopping. It is very painful now although the GP says it's probably just a bad sprain. Who knows how long it will take before I can get back on the plan and I fear I'll be back to week 1 again which I'm gutted about.
My advice would be to take it easy and do the knee strengthening exercises!
Unless there is something fundamentally wrong, bio-mechanically speaking, unsuitable footwear is easily the most common cause of the sort of thing you describe.
I had a similar sounding issue in week 3 and had to see a physio. My problems were both bio-mechanical and having shoes which did not suit my running style which caused a jarring in both of my knees.
after 3 weeks Ive started back on W1. I had tendonitis in my patella tendon.