Is it normal for my knees to hurt after running?

[Bakse]

I'm in week one of this challenge. I've just run the second session today. And one of my knees is hurting. Is this normal? Is there anything I should be doing differently?

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Depends on lots of different things, do you have good fitting running shoes, do you need insoles? are you going too fast?

There are lots of things you can do to strengthen knees and you may benefit from an extra rest day or two so they have a chance to heal

[kindarunnin Graduate]

As WillowandSola has already said, I'd imagine there can be a whole range of reasons for knee pain and nobody on here will be able to pinpoint yours.

My knees were agony at first, I tried to keep going but after the 1st week I was struggling to walk and gave up on C25K.

I'd done zero excersise for at least 10 years and I think it was just a shock to my joints. Once my knees were better I started the programme again, taking things slow (slow really is the key) and repeating runs as and when I needed to and graduated about 6 weeks ago, now doing regular 5mile runs and heading out for my 1st Parkrun this morning, dont get any knee pain now.

I was very deflated with the pain at first, try not to let it get you down, listen to your body, take things slow and rest and repeat stuff if you need to, you will get there and you'll love it when you do!

Good luck.

[JaniceG68 Graduate]

One of my knees was very painful from the end of week 1 to middle of week 3. Never during the run and always after. I used to go up the stairs almost on hands and knees afterwards. I was very tense on my first runs (quite self-conscious) and feel that as soon as I relaxed more into the run and not thinking of how I was running, the pain disappeared. One day after a run I suddenly realised - no pain. I think once your body finds it’s own style, there should be no pain. If your pain persists though you should seek medical advice.

[RunningMigster Graduate]

In the first few weeks, I found that an old knee injury started to say hello again. Not pain so much but a constant throb.

I started doing some knee exercises to strengthen it and I was all good again after about a week.

Fingers crossed, this is something that a bit of tlc will take care of.

[Minsy]

One of my knees ached after a week. I found the strengthening exercises very successful

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done

on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and gives advice on pacing, minimising impact, stretching after every single run, knee strengthening exercises and many other topics.

Be kind to your self......slow down.

Enjoy your journey.

[Bakse]

Thank you for sharing all your experiences and tips. I ran my third sessions of week one today, surprisingly no pain. Don't know what tomorrow will bring but so far so good. After reading the comments have realised i need to do knee strengthening exercises, i did not know there was such a thing. Lol. Looks like i will have to google it and try these exercises out. Thank you