Week 9 Run 1 - just the wrong time to get knee pain!

[iain-strachan]

This is SO frustrating. Actually I first noticed it after 8/3. Did the run absolutely fine, no pain at all. Did the cool down walk as required. When I got home I sat for about half an hour in front of the computer, and when I got up again, suddenly there was a pain in my left knee, and I found I was hobbling! It was a tender spot to the right and just below the knee-cap.

So I left it several days before attempting W9R1, which again I completed with little discomfort. I'm a bit slower than when I did it 2 years ago, probably because I'm about half a stone heavier. But I completed it with no real problems.

But again, pain and soreness in that knee has prevented me completing the course in the final week!

Has anyone had experience of this kind of knee problem before (pain after the run and not during it), and how long it takes for this to clear up? I'm champing at the bit to get out. I'm restricting my exercise to more gentle forms (walking and cycling), but neither of them give the mood-enhancing buzz of running.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

A while back I had knee ache not really pain, so I got some knee support and wore them for a few weeks then my knee was ok and never has to use again. Hope this helps 😊

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Obviously we are not medically qualified so can't give medically advice - if it doesn't settle, then a good Sports physio will be able to tell you what the problem is - whether it's coming from the knee itself or the result of bio mechanics /tight muscle groups etc. Also worth reading up a little on Runners knee and IT band problems too, as this is quite common in runners. Fingers crossed you find out the cause and are able to get back on track soon. Good luck.🙂

[SilverLady67]

Don’t know if it’s any help, but I started to get knee pain in one knee at week 4, after consulting Dr Google I now run more upright and the pain hasn’t come back phew !

[mrrun Graduate]

I ignored my knee pain completely only for it to inflame and prevent me from running for months. If it doesn't get better you'll need to go a see a professional (sports physio/osteopath) and have it checked. Whatever you do, don't run through pain. This program will always wait.

[iain-strachan Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Yes I think that's pretty wise. I'm in the middle of a weight loss journey, having lost 12 Kg since March, but the body mass index is still just on 30, so technically on the border of "obese/overweight". I am aiming to lose a further 12 Kg, and I figure that the lighter I am the less strain it is on the knee joints! I cycle-commute to and from work, which to be honest burns more calories than the running. However, it doesn't give the same buzz as running or get the heart rate up as high. Probably the answer is to cycle in a lower gear to get the cadence rate up, and also less strain on the knees.

Seeing my GP in a week on another matter. He's a running enthusiast (does ultra-marathons etc) so maybe he'll have some appropriate advice.

[mrrun Graduate in reply to iain-strachan]

It's worth getting to the very point of why your discomfort has occurred. I have always been slim, always on the move, all great on the surface. My issue was amplified by inappropriate (poor) shoes, harder running (clearly not suitable for new runners knees), lack of rest between the runs and no stretching. Once l got the facts in order, l repeated the entire C25K and a few years later completed the marathon, having suffered no ill effects at all. After the injury l made sure that l got assessed by people who knew exactly where and what to look for.