Any advice ?

[PamJ58]

I have been running with my son while he is home from university but he is having real problems with his legs hurting when he is running. He is doing plenty of stretches / warm up but still struggling and it comes on quite quickly after we get started. He is very motivated but getting a bit disheartened. Any ideas ?

[Sadamski Graduate]

I suppose it depends on the type of Pain. Muscular? joints? shin splints? etc

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Has he been running for a while? if so I always tell people first port of call check your tread on the soles of your runners. If you turn the shoes over and have a good inspection. Running shoes are made a bit like tyres you can see how they are wearing. If there is excessive wear and it equates to the pain he has been having then a new pair of shoes is needed. What happens is you land differently and that is enough to cause nigggly pains, if it's not I would have a word with his GP or a sports physio, an injury is easier to sort out at the beginning rather than after a while. I wish him luck.

[PamJ58 Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thanks very much for that

[davelinks Graduate]

He's not stretching before the run is he? don't try & stretch cold muscles, just limberup and do 5 min brisk warm up walk, some peeps can take longer to warm up, I know I do, so take it easy when I start to run, so is he going off too fast? need to keep the speed slow & steady..Or maybe it's how he runs and foot strike? Has he had a gait analysis done? worth doing to look at pronation. Hopefully we can sort it out😊

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[PamJ58 Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Thanks for that. He had his gait analysis done when he got new running shoes end of last year. I will suggest a slower pace to start with

[davelinks Graduate in reply to PamJ58]

If it carry's on maybe consider going back to the store where the gait analysis was done, explain and have the analysis reassesed, maybe he needs orthotics in his shoes..

[PamJ58 Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Thanks

[Tomas Graduate]

It might help him if he can identify which muscles or joints are hurting and then either come back with that info or google how to strengthen and stretch them. While generic stretches and warm up is always great, he might want to focus his efforts where he gets most bang for his buck, so to speak.

[PamJ58 Graduate in reply to Tomas]

Thanks for that. Will get him to be a bit more specific but I think it's his calves.

[Tomas Graduate in reply to PamJ58]

If it is the calves then I think the standard first approach is calf raises. If it's the bottom of the calves getting close to the Achilles then try eccentric heel drops.

[PamJ58 Graduate in reply to Tomas]

Thanks

[melly4012 Graduate]

Perhaps running too fast or too far too soon? Does he have proper running shoes? Are you running hills? If none of these things then perhaps it could be worth seeing a sports physio who will give an idea of why the pain is occurring and any strengthening exercises or stretches which may help. Good luck, hope you can get to the bottom of it.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Full leg coverage? (And as others have suggested, *not* stretching before, just walking for 5 minutes first)

[PamJ58 Graduate]

Thanks for that - he has newish (properly fitted) shoes and wears running leggings under shorts so I think he is doing the right things. Will try getting him to warm up more slowly

[simonHumph Graduate]

Sports physio would be the first step. I've had calf pains - feel like they've cramped - and even though I rested up for a fortnight the next run was just as painful. Two sessions with the physio got it sorted. I'll be straight with you, the first session was very painful but when the second came around I wondered what the fuss was about. Calf pain has now gone ... it's the knees that are giving me jip!

[PamJ58 Graduate in reply to simonHumph]

Thanks for that. We have got a couple of things to try now, but if it doesn't improve we will go down the sports physio route. Hope your knees get better !