I have now made several attempts at the C25K reaching the 20 minute marker once, on each occasion I have been in discomfort with some kind of injury shin splints, hip pain and have been to see the NHS podiatrist as I have flat feet, they suggested running was not for me and I should try an alternative type of exercise. Although the runs were uncomfortable I feel I was beginning to enjoy them, I would like to give it another go against the advice I have been given...
I have tried the gym and I just do not enjoy bikes, rowing machines, weights etc..., I have about 3 stone to lose but I love my food I need an exercise I can enjoy and do for the rest of my life..
Would you take the risk?
Written by
Garysmith_uk
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Can i suggest getting a second opinion as there may be orthotics that would help you. It seems odd they advised against it completely... I am so with you re the gym... cant bear the place! shifting the weight alongside running will also make a big difference to the risk of injury... My advice would be to get a second opinion and persevere to that effect... good luck
I agree with Ju. If you were enjoying the running then give it another try. I would certainly get a second opinion, but perhaps from a independent podiatrist or sports physio. It certainly sounds odd advice for just flat feet, but I am continually astounded by the counter intuitive advice given by some medical professionals to people who do sports. I have heard of GPs telling very fit atheletes their diets are wrong because they are not eating processed carbs, I have heard of women being told they must never again lift any weights after they have had a baby (how are they to get their child off the floor?) and I have been told myself by a cardiologist that no-one at all should do Crossfit because of the risks involved. On this last I had a second opinion from another cardiologist who was a keen Crossfitter. His exact words regarding the first are not suitable to print here.
You could give barre a try - srsly!! I have heard (ok, this is purely anecdotal) that flat feet have been much improved by the strengthening of weight-bearing, foot-stretching exercises based on ballet/pilates/yoga (but it does make some kind of sense). You could get a couple of dvds so no-one need know
It ain't easy though, and you must be careful with your knees (I speak from experience)
Perhaps try to see a sports physio who specialises in running - I thought they could correct most things with the right shoes.
Alternatively, you could settle into doing longer run/ walks with frequent planned walk breaks to change the muscles you are using - it's all exercise and will still get you out there.
I think the best option for me is to start slowly with the program and repeat weeks where necessary, if or when the injuries re occur I will have to go for the second opinion, but this ain't gonna beat me I will be a runner!!!
I have flat feet too and the NHS podiatrist told me to stop running too. It actually ended up in my body seizing up and became more painful to move around.
I eventually went to a place called Foot Solutions and they measured my feet and generally took a lot more time listening and watching me walk. They then took me onto a couple of machines and then made orthotics for me (£250?!) but they have been so worth it and are to last 3-5 years.
I would definitely recommend seeing a physio for your overall movement, as I'm still having problems. The insoles have still been worth it in my opinion.
Definitely take the programme at your own pace and enjoy it!
P.s.) I get really tight calves which can cause shin splints, so really make sure to stretch well after your runs and use a tennis ball or foam roller etc to massage the back and sides of your lower legs, works a treat for me
I had a really bad shin splint recently and part of the physio looked at my arches and I was given some strengthening exercises, along with calf exercises it's all about getting stronger to support our running, and we get better in that regard the more we run. Having said that it's about quality, and we need to start slow and short
I would deffo kept at it. Go gently though, no slamming your legs by going too quick.
We all experience new runners niggles while we get into running as our bodies will protest at the fresh level of exertion but if we go slowly and steadily, sticking to the programme, we come through and graduate. I hope you can ☺
My advice for complete fitness, is find your local Judo club and have a go, it's great fun and makes you get fit, you don't have a choice once your holding onto someone lol. Check my name and youll see I am 47 years old and have been stopped sat in a chair for the past 15 years I can't even run yet. Hence me being here. I recently went back on the mat and my legs and fitness let me down badly, I still managed a session and feel it days after. I am going to walk until I can finally run again and then once I can do this 5k I will return to Judo once more. It's hard but so rewarding, if you have the heart id highly reccomend it.
Good luck with the shin splints they are horrible I used to get them running when I was young but Judo doesn't affect them as far as I can remember.
i have the same issue - very flat feet! the podiatrist is giving me insoles to help tho and my physio is making me run on a mini trampoline (also due to an injury) which I love! its running on the spot and obviously not as high impact but im trying to make up for this by running and having my knees come up as high as possible etc
the hip pain is likely due to the flat feet and therefore a bad alignment (that's what my physio told me) the shin splints again due to the feet but I didnt get this (before the injury and trampoline) anymore due to doing some yoga and body balance (yoga, pilates and tai chi) instead of static stretching
my physio will allow my to run on a cross trainer or my trampoline (only £30 one) so maybe try those until you get correcting orthotics? (im waiting on mine then have more physio before I hit a solid surface)
also loosing the weight will also help reduce the impact
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.
Try-athlon
Let's try again
Time to try again
Try and try again 
Let's try again
