Wk2 back pain

[18jan]

Having never suffered with back pain in my life after the 3rd run in wk1 and each run in wk2 I have such pain that I have stopped for now but hope to restart in a few weeks. I am 60 yrs but ran 4.5 miles most days until 10 yrs ago. Anyone else had similar?

[Irishprincess Graduate]

You could be tensing and holding yourself rigidly when you run and you're not aware of it. Try to make a conscious effort to run "loose" and stretch your upper body a bit on your warm up. Wave your arms around, lift your shoulders, stretch out your arms, etc. It all helps.

If it's lower back pain then this could be coming from tight glutes and/or hamstrings or hip flexors (at the front of your hips). Make sure you stretch all these areas thoroughly after a run and then several times throughout the day. Also consider buying a foam roller to massage any tight spots and release tension.

Also consider taking up Pilates as this works on the core muscles which support the back.

[18jan in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you. I warm up and do strength and flex alternate days. I also do yoga. But I think you're right about tensing as I have a tendency to do that!