Fought my way back from injury... only to get a new injury, sigh....

[northernlass1965]

Hello all you lucky runners. How I envy you!

I finally beat shin splints, did C25k for a second time (because I'd lost fitness), and graduated again. Happy days.

Until I did my knee in and was told "No running for 3 months" by the physio.

So the knee has at last settled down and I started C25k again for the third time, but this time only running once or twice a week for fear of doing my knee in again.

Made it to week 6, so have regained a basic level of fitness, only to be struck down by heel pain that is causing me to hobble about even just walking. I've no idea why as it came on suddenly two days or so after a run. Totally mystifying!

I really think someone up there doesn't want me to run! But I'm going to keep trying. Anyone battled heel pain and overcome it? I'd love to know your tips.

In the meantime, I hope all of you enjoy your runs in the lovely crisp autumn weather, and the beautiful colours at this time of year. Perfect running weather, in my humble opinion!

[mrrun Graduate]

Knee? Physio? 3 Months off running? That all happened to me in that particular order! Ah, sweet memories.

Further more, when the physio ravaged my bank account (she fixed the knee though), I went on to complete the program only to suffer a foot injury during my graduation run. Oh, how we laughed again, my physio and I.

Now, not sure what's causing your issues but I know what caused mine. I ran totally ill-prepared. Bought some comedy shoes because they were cheap, didn't bother with insoles, and couldn't care less about doing the gait analysis. I paid for all those misses with high interest later.

Have you done gait analysis? Do your shoes fit your feet perfectly? Do you need insoles? If no to any of the three, than there may be a reason for your aches.

My pain and discomfort have gone, as I finally did all three.

Good luck!

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Mrrun, that is funny - it's really cheered me up. Your physio sounds as though she was well worth the money!

I had a gait analysis done at two different places and got two differing opinions - one shop said I overpronate, the second shop disagreed and advised that I buy neutral shoes.

I bought shoes appropriate for mild overpronation and this time round have only run on grass or the treadmill to reduce the risk of injury. (So that didn't work! )

Maybe I should go back and have another gait analysis done - best out of three!

Your story is very encouraging - thank you!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Possibly the dreaded plantar fasciitis? Rolling a bottle or rolling pin back and forth under the arch of your foot might help. That said, I always think it’s best to go see a doctor to be on the safe side.

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

Hi Maddee, I wondered about plantar fasciitis but looked on the NHS website and it advised me to wait two weeks to see if it clears up before going to see the GP. I had just resigned myself to the fact that I should wait before going to the GP. If I go straight away they might send me away and tell me to wait as advised on the NHS website?

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to northernlass1965]

Well, if they're going to make you wait a fortnight there's probably nothing to be lost by rolling your foot with a bottle (300ml size - fill it with water and then freeze it first) or even a rolling pin. There's plenty of tutorials online.

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Don't know enough to offer advice, I just wanted to say I am sorry that you are having such troubles. I am sure that with you grit and perseverance you will overcome

[northernlass1965 Graduate]

Thank you Helenwheels. I'm not ready to give up trying just yet.

[northernlass1965 Graduate]

I've also been doing pilates and yoga to strengthen my core, glutes etc.

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

I can't help with the heel pain I'm afraid but just wanted to say well done for your determination! It must be so frustrating to be out of action again and I really hope things settle for you so that you can get back to your running. Keep the faith!🙂🏃🏽‍♀️

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra - I will keep going as long as I can!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Hi there and welcome back! Well done you for sticking with it, in spite of all the injury! Ouch!

I have sorbothane heel supports.. they are really great..might be worth a try do you think ?

Great to have you back with us too

amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00...

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Hi Floss, good to hear from you. Thanks for this recommendation - I am going to order some. Is heel pain something you have overcome or are these just a help in general? Hopefully I'll be back in action soon. Hope you are well!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to northernlass1965]

I am good thanks.. I am a grammy now... and on small runner in training duty two days a week! keeping me fit I walk along away with that one on my rest days

I felt I landed heavily on my heels..they got sore... so got these and they made a massive difference I think they may do the trick! Hopegullu they may work..keep us posted?

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Congratulations on becoming a gran, Floss - how lovely too that you are on mini-runner training!

I have already got those gel heel supports saved in my Amazon shopping basket (as I am still shopping ) so I will let you know how I get on with them!

I've also started rolling a frozen ice cup beneath my foot and found heaps of helpful info and demos on Youtube so hopefully we will crack it! I'm feeling optimistic about overcoming it.

One thing I am learning during this cycle of running/injuries/yet another round of C25k is patience! And persistence.

Thanks once again Floss and I will report back.

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

I had heel pain when I changed to Vibram 5 fingers - very minimalistic and very thin shoes. I never worked out whether the pain really did come from stomping on hard stones, or was a minor form of plantar fasciitis. Whatever it was I gave myself a rest from running with those shoes and the heels settled down. They are fine now even when I wear the Vibrams. I hope yours get better soon too👍🏃

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Hi Jaysee, when you say you gave yourself a rest, did you stop running completely for a while or did you continue but in different shoes? Did you still have pain?

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate in reply to northernlass1965]

Being an ambitious sort of person I just changed shoes and left the Vibrams alone for 10 days. But it might be wise to take a break. My heels still hurt during the 10 days, but the cushioning in my 2nd pair meant running in them was OK. And they steadily got better.

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Ah, you were lucky!

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Just to add, Jay, I just watched one of those YouTube tutorials by a guy who suffered Plantar Fasciitis for ages and he reckoned that Vibram five finger shoes were one of the few things that helped him.

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate in reply to northernlass1965]

Interesting, I didn't know that!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Have you tried different shoes.

I have three pairs and avoid using the same pair for consecutive runs.

You may not be carrying yourself in a relaxed manner after injury. Is your foot pain in the same leg as knee injury?

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Hi Ian - Yes, the foot pain is on the same side as the knee injury (which for now seems ok).

I have switched occasionally between my "street shoes" and my trail shoes but tend most often to wear the street shoes as they have more cushioning. I run on grass almost all of the time anyway now so I didn't think it made much difference which shoes I wore.... but maybe I'm wrong! I am comparatively new to running (completed C25k for first time just over a year ago.)

Why does it make a difference switching shoes between runs?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to northernlass1965]

Each shoe is going to support your feet differently. If that difference is marked, as might be possible when wearing new shoes, then you may develop niggles while muscles and joints adjust to the new support.

I have two pairs of trail shoes (so never have to put on wet shoes) and a road pair which only get used once a week. All bought in sales at different times and so never end up running solely in a pair of ageing shoes.

The idea of rotation came from someone who had niggles after a couple of runs in new shoes and then decided to alternate with old ones and the problems disappeared.

Trail shoes tend to be neutral.

Foot trouble on same side could indicate linked issues........the foot bone is connected to the leg bone.....

[northernlass1965 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks Ian. I managed to get a doctor's appointment tomorrow, to my surprise, so will tell them the foot pain is on the same side as the knee problem.