wk8 r1! Niggly lower back

[Wwps]

so I’ve been plugging away in the background and have made it to week 8! Very pleased with my progress and how I’ve managed to fit it in to my weekly routine w two young kids and now back at work full time - no mean feat!

move noticed I’ve had a sore lower back over the last month or so. I need go get new running shoes and my youngest is very heavy so there is lots of carrying on the hip. I’m doing Pilates along side the running but I wondered if it could be running related as well? Has anyone experienced this? Suggestions/tips?

Thanks!

[Runningdear Graduate]

Small children are heavy, and more difficult if they wriggle when you carry them on the hip. Best get an appointment through your GP to see a physio and get it checked out.

I have knee problems and the NHS physios I have seen were great. Osteopaths are also good at spotting misalignments, that is quicker to get an appointment but private.

Obviously ease off if you are in pain over and above your usual running aches rather than compound the problem. You won’t go back to zero in your running if you take a break to get to the bottom of the back pain.

Well done on getting running with 3 kids and a full time job - great self care.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Some great advice from Runningdear -it’s worth getting persistent niggles like this investigated by someone with training. It’s frustrating having to pause the running (believe me, I’ve been there!) but running in pain isn’t a good idea and might end up prolonging any time away you need.

Pilates is brilliant for runners-that will almost certainly help. You just might need some specific strength and flex exercises that a physio (or other suitable person) can help you with. Seeing one made a massive difference to me.

Really good luck with getting it sorted.

[Wwps Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

So my backs not sore during running, if it was I’d definitely stop! But I feel great, but it’s in the normal life that it’s sore and I’m wondering if it could be from running. I’ve had sore knees while running and have had to stop for a couple of weeks (this was a few years ago the first time I did couch2 5k - not this time round)

Strength and flex exercises are a good shout - will speak to GP about physio x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Wwps]

That makes sense-if it’s come on as you’ve started running, it seems suspicious. It’s often hard to know what causes our bodies to just say “no thank you” sometimes!

Pilates could be worth considering too-especially in a real life class with a good instructor. That’s often recommended for back issues and an experienced instructor can emphasis how to do the exercises safely to strengthen your back and not aggravate any issues. Worth potentially checking things out with your GP first. I’ve been this morning and my core is on fire. I know that’s exactly what I need to keep me more stable when I’m running which will stop my knee from grumbling (IT band problems for me!).

The life of a runner, hey! We must love it because we keep coming back for more!