Painfull Knees

[digil123]

Hi I only started running/ power walking about a month ago. My knees have been in agony ever since. I have just bought new running shoes and have not tried running yet but wearing them is like walking on air. Is it normal for my knees to hurt this much in the beginning???

[Charlottefc87 Graduate]

I have exactly the same question, you beat me to it! I'm on W3 with very sore knees

[digil123 in reply to Charlottefc87]

I know it;s expected for new runners and hope my new shows will help but should the pain last this long???

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Starting C25K, if you are not used to exercise, means aches and pains...This is why the programme starts us so slowly and steadily. Slow, gentle runs help our legs to begin that slow build up. The knees do protest!

Power walking can be very harsh.... are you on the C25K programme?

[digil123 in reply to Oldfloss]

Not sure what that is. I've used the gym for 2 years but never run. I'm doing the couch to 5K programme starting with walk 2 mins, run 1 min, 10 times. Think my old gym shoes were the issue as I have just bought new running shoes and feel like I'm walking on air!! Hopefully now the pain will subside.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to digil123]

Oh yes.. the shoes are the most important part of your gear!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to digil123]

You will soon know whether it is going to go... and you will know whether it is real pain, which should never, ever be ignored. Best to err on the side of caution, if in any doubt!

[Hidden]

What oldfloss says is true but it depends if you are talking about aches and sore or if you really do mean agony. Proper pain you shouldn't ignore. A few days rest and if it doesn't get better or keeps coming back you need to find out what's causing it.

Hopefully the new shoes will sort it.

Telling the difference between a normal post run niggle and pain is one of the things you have to learn when you start this running lark.

[digil123 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your input. Hopefully the new shoes will sort it.

[Lauracorin]

Are you stretching? Once I got good shoes, stretching seemed to keep the knee aches under control. 'Agony' sounds like something more extreme than I experienced though.

A local coach suggested running on soft surfaces only until I finished the programme, by which time my legs would be stronger. I've now graduated and my knees are doing well enough that I am running part of the time on tarmac.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

When power walking it is remarkably easy to overstride, which may lead to sore knees etc. Try smaller steps

[digil123 in reply to Millsie-J]

Ok , thanks for your advice. I'll take that on board.