Injury

[westy21]

I posted a while back about heel pain. I completed the couch to 5k around June. I started to get heel pain and numbness in my thigh when I was running 5k regularly. I've seen a physio. Just gave exercises, not helped at all. Trapped nerve, apparently. I'm fine if I'm a couch potatoe!! Tricky when I'm on my feet at work , full-time hours. Feel I've lost any fitness I'd gained and my mojo has got up and gone. Maybe at nearly 64, it was just too old to start running again. Good luck to all you people trying for couch to 5k in the New Year. It's really worth the effort.

[mrrun Graduate]

Injuries happen and will happen, this is how this thing works. I’ve passed sixty and have been here for almost nine years, having nursed some really bad injuries (knee and foot) at the beginning, to the point that l had to restart and then completely repeat C25K.

Physio? Find the one that works. Some of mine were not good at all. I’ve now been with one for seven years and she, as a former sprinter, knows her stuff. The key is to figure out what causes the injury and how to avoid it. Been there, done that.

Then, you’ve got to work on your strength and flexibility through gym, stretching as well as hydration and good diet. Combined, those factors will make you stronger and the stronger you are the less likely it is to get hurt when running (within your limits, of course).

If you stop now, ageing will do what ageing does. You’ll drop your form, your muscles will weaken, the niggles will become issues. It is not too late to start running or lifting weights, on the contrary - this is the right time.

I’ve made a full transition from a chain smoking injury magnet to a guy who’s covered marathon and ultra distances, being a gym regular and a martial arts aficionado, with the body that looks and feels better than ever before. Quitting has never crossed my mind and it shouldn’t cross yours either.

Find a good physio, fix your injury and take it from the top. No other way. Good luck!

[westy21 in reply to mrrun]

Hi. Thankyou for your advice. It was what I needed to hear. Ive got two sessions at physio paid for. A friend who does long distance running has recommended someone else. I took my shoes to a running shop they said they had lots if miles left in them. I've seen a doctor. He thinks a trapped nerve and plantar faciatus. I've ran on and off since 1999. More off than on with injuries! I've started doing my yoga again to build strength and I'm walking my sisters dog just to keep a leval of fitness, though I am in pain even after a 2 mile stroll. I'll keep trying though. Happy New Year

[mrrun Graduate in reply to westy21]

It may also be a good idea to check your shoes. The cause of some of my injuries was a pair of inadequate shoes and no insole support for my sorry flat feet . I confused money with compatibility, thinking that any good shoe was a good shoe for me. That was wrong. My hips were out of balance, to add to the fun, so the weight distribution was wrong. More impact was sent to the left knee and in return that put pressure on the right foot, hence inflammations, discomfort, pain. Two physios were clueless, giving me exercises that I simply felt would make it all worse.

The third (real deal) physio sent me to a sports lab where they ran a gait analysis, suggested three types of running shoes for my narrow feet, equipped the right pair with customised insoles, picked the right walking shoes (different brand) and......that was the end of my running related injuries. In the end it was cheaper than my original expensive choice from another famous brand. The point is, you really need to get into it and find the root cause of your troubles.

Never give up, you'll get there in the end

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

Hi and happy New Year!

Don't write yourself off at 64, I didn't start running until I was nearly 63 and 4 years later I'm still at it. There are a lot of runners who are much older on this forum, reaping the benefits of regular exercise.

Did you see a doctor as well as a physio? As the physio didn't resolve your problem it's worth going back to see if anything else can be done. As mrrun suggested, a different physio may give you different, more effective exercises.

You mention you're on your feet at work. What shoes do you wear? Are they comfortable and supportive? Also what running shoes do you wear? If they are old or don't fit properly they can cause problems too. These are questions to bring to the physio if you see another one - take your shoes with you as these may give the answers to some of your problems.

Having made the effort to complete C25K you know what's involved if you decide to run again. All the very best of luck, I hope you sort out your heel/thigh issues and that we see more of you on here in 2025

[westy21 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Hi. Thank you for your encouragement. I'm wearing Hoka shoes. Took them to shop. Apparently, they have plenty of miles in them. I wear trainers for work. Normally the the running trainers that ive finished running with. If the weather is wet i wear flat leather Clarks ankle boots . Started my yoga again to help with strength. I'll try not to give up.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Take the great advice from mrrun , Get another physio'... and don't stop !

I began this running at 65... 74 now. head across to the Strength and flex Forum too for the exercises you need for your strength and stamina...

Start gently and build up...

Mrrun is right... and as the author of Born to Run, Christopher McDougall, also said..

“You don't stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running.” and that applies to a lot more things than running!