Ouch!

[Oldrunninglady]

I'm feeling a little deflated at the moment, any advice please? I've developed a painful shoulder and back which Dr Google tells me could be from bad posture when I'm running (using the term loosely, of course 😂). It started as a knot in my shoulder blade area and now has radiated up to my neck and shoulder. I don't feel I should run at the moment, until its better. Do you agree? I'm cross because I was doing well with the programme. Should I have a break and then go back a week or two or battle through? I want to keep going because I'm trying to get my blood pressure down a bit and shed some of the nasty lbs that seem to creep on with my advancing age.

Any advice/suggestions on how to deal with this issue would be gratefully received. I'm impressed if I've managed to get myself a sports injury already....I must be an athlete after all 😊

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Best get your doctor to check that out, it could be so many different things, we couldnt hope to guess how to fix it. Hope you find the solution soon.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Maybe get it checked out , just to reassure yourself that there are no issues . It might be as simple as catching a draught from somewhere.

But, as and when , there are loads of simple exercises to ease those aches and pains. S and F forum has loads...

Now... when you are running, posture is a really tricky one. We have to try and run in a relaxed way...doing a body running check can help.

Some folk do it head down to feet, ( like me) and some, feet to head... either way...that is fine.

For me,,, relax the face.... consciously... a gentle smile and relaxed muscles, then coming down, let the shoulders drop... they should not be pulled up at all... roll them back and forth to loosen them.. ( you can do all this whilst moving).

Then shake out the arms, really loosen them , and the hands...down you go... relaxed but keeping the core muscles nice and tight and then legs moving easily and the feet landing as lightly as you can..( Kissing the ground with your feet).

The whole thing apart from the core..as you are moving, is relaxed. Upright, but with your chin just leading you forward...

If you are struggling with your run, then just pause and do a recheck of this... and as you run... pretend you are looking at yourself running.

It may take a little while but it does work... and as with running, it soon becomes an inbuilt part of your running.

Hope this might help a little ?

[Oldrunninglady in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss , that's really good advice. I will definitely do a body check next time. Its a bit easier this morning, but I think I'll give it another day's rest and Deep Heat and see how it feels tomorrow. Its definitely been worse since I've been doing longer runs so pretty sure it's my posture. I sit down all day at a computer which doesn't help. Thanks again x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Oldrunninglady]

I'll give you a link later, to exercises you can use, for when you're at your desk and computer time..discreet and have a real impact. Just off for my counselling walk/talk outdoor session now x

[Oldrunninglady in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you 😊. That's really kind of you. Enjoy your walk.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Oldrunninglady]

There is a Bodyfit by Amy... Five minute Office workout one and Five minute desk one...

If the links do not work...just go onto the Body Fit by Amy site and type those in.

youtube.com/watch?v=tzIJfCM...(Not working as expected?)

[Oldrunninglady in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Oldrunninglady]

... and

youtube.com/watch?v=hLXQXbX...(Not working as expected?)

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

I definitely feel that I tense up when running naturally so have to remind myself to relax quite a bit I do tend to carry stress in my shoulders 🥴 I get up now each day and do simple exercises it’s definitely improved.

[Oldrunninglady in reply to Wavy-chick28]

I have been very lax with my stretching before running so it's something I need to address. Like you I carry my stress in my shoulders and have to consciously relax them sometimes. I didn't realise there is so much more involved than just putting my running shoes on and going for it 😳 x

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate in reply to Oldrunninglady]

Yes we just want to run but the stretching is important, hope your shoulders improve 🤞🏼

[Oldrunninglady in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Thanks, I'm sure they will 😊