Grinding Halt

[Manby76]

Only managed to do one run from W2, and come to a grinding halt. I have pain in my left knee, particularly when doing stairs. Feel like a complete failure and feel like the doubters were right I can't do this.

The painkillers seem to be giving me an upset stomach, so now don't really know what to do.

I started the program to help with my weight loss (I have just over 5 st to lose, which I'm doing via Slimming World) and right now I feel like eating every bar of chocolate I can find.....

Obviously I don't know exactly what the pain is, but I have an idea (thanks to google and a process of elimination - I know I shouldn't self diagnose). I didn't feel any ligaments etc 'go', it just started as a dull ache and stiffness and now I can hardly walk - I'm going to make an appointment with the doctor, but in the meantime I was hoping you lovely people would have some advice. Is it worth forking out for a knee support?

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Can't advise you I'm afraid, but you are not a failure!

[Tomas Graduate]

It's very common for muscles that haven't been used for a long time to ache when you start to use them. Most of us go through some aches at the beginning of the programme.

Painkillers are not really a good idea when it comes to sore muscles, unless the pain is really bad. Instead try to rest between runs, elevate the left legs, possibly put some ice against it (e.g. a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel; don't ever put frozen stuff directly against your skin). A knee support could well be a good idea, they're not very expensive.

[Manby76 in reply to Tomas]

Thanks for your reply. The last time I did 'serious' exercise I was at school, so about 25 years ago....I have been walking to and from work (just over a mile one way) for a few weeks with a view to starting the program, but maybe in hindsight that wasn't enough...

[Rb123]

Hi have you exercised before? As it might be because you haven't exercised in a while but best to go to the doctor and check it out. Also I'm not used to running due to back issues so my first week I didn't run I just walked faster on the running section so once you've been to the doctor you could try that and don't ever think you've failed as you have an injury that will heal up and you can get back on it but slowly

[Hidden]

Injury is an injury and certainly not a failure. If you'd broken a leg you wouldn't even consider the f word. So you've got a problem, see the docs and work out what's possible and we will be waiting to welcome you back once you're fit and well again. But please don't think of an injury as a failure, a bit of a setback that's all....

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

No using the ''f" word please You had a problem.. that is all.

As Tomas says..it happens and is to be expected really! it is likely to be your body saying, " What the heck are you doing to me"?

Try the RICE process to see if it settles.. the knees take a massive impact and we do tend to thump our way through the first runs. Avoid the painkillers if possible.. they may mask a real problem.. A knee support is useful and they do work...

If the pain is that severe, then see your GP... of not.. rest up...eat healthy munchies...and the next time you head out.. warm up well and take it as slow as you like... and as hard as it sounds, try to land very gently and lightly... you can do it..think of it as kissing the ground with your feet... slow and steady

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

See OF you've used that phrase again... Kissing the ground - Manby this is our holy grail, by kissing the ground we learn to glide. This is such the best phrase ever to describe a running action. I haven't managed kissing yet, but it is an aspiration...

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

xxx

[froggyrunner Graduate]

I had swollen and painful knees after every run for the first three weeks I then forked out for new trainers in a specialist shop and no more swollen knees !!! Also, the fact that I'd bought new shoes made me determined to carry on. I hated the idea of wasting money!!!

[Gillma Graduate]

I've been through a variety of physical niggles over the 9-week programme. A combo of sports physio advice and Pilates hv helped w practical advice and also confidence. Sounds a bit OTT but I do Pilates anyway and have an ongoing as-needed physio relationship. Although it all costs - at least the running is free! Always get advice before you're completely crocked - if you can. Keep us informed?

[MrsT82]

Hi Manby, a week ago today I did week 2 run 2 and I had awful pain in my right knee after. I used deep heat and wore a tubular bandage during the day for 2 days. I saw a physio on Monday who told me that I have weak muscle around my over moving knee joint which caused the pain. Due to a tummy bug I was forced to test it further. But earlier I managed to complete run 3 of week 2! Listen to your body and don't feel like a failure if you take more than 1 rest day after a run, be kind to yourself. Xx

[Vixen67 Graduate]

Def go see the doctor ... I found after around week 3 when the times started increasing my knee would pop when walking up stairs ... mainly due to those muscles not having had to do much before ... I run/jog with it strapped up it's improving just like the rest of me !!

Get some professional advice though your def not a failure !!! 🏃🏼‍♀️

[misswobble Graduate]

I had a bad knee some years ago where walking upstairs used to kill my knees. It was wearing high heels what did it! Stopped wearing such high ones when I was having my son and it stopped and never recurred. Til I started running that is. However, as I kept running and got stronger my knee pain bogged off and never came back

It's all about keeping going and slowly building up our unused muscles. no need for heroics or pushing at all, just gentle walks and jogs with the programme to get us moving and ultimately running 30 minutes.

Walking more is a great way of getting fitter, stronger and slimmer. Keep at it and don't turn to chocolate for comfort! That was the old you!

Good luck. I hope you'll be back on it soon. Ice is brilliant !