Wk7! Pain down outside of ankle and knees.

[plodder]

Managed wk6 ok. Started wk7 feeling confident and did first run. next day had ache outside left ankle and pain below/outside both knees. tried run yesterday and pain was getting worse eventually reduced to walking/limping after 23mins. Really fed up today. Should I rest or 'work through it'?

[shelleymcb Graduate]

do NOT run. that would be my advice.

wait until you feel that your legs are ok. I overdid it once I'd finished the plan & it cost me a month of not being able to run. I made the mistake of thinking I could "work through it" also & probably did more damage. my problem was my knee.

if you havent invested in trainers then this may be somewhere to start (but wait until you are ok to run before having the gait analysis as you probably wont get a true picture of your running style).

if you have access to a cross-trainer that could be used to keep you motivated & your improved fitness level in the meantime. it didnt hurt my knee too much & may be fine for you.

if trainers arent your problem, perhaps just rest, ice & elevation will help. if not, maybe a trip to the doctors or sports therapist??

best wishes. shelley

[Hidden]

Are you stretching properly after runs? I started after about Wk3 because I had a pull at the top of one of my hamstrings, and it's made a real difference. I found a set of stretches in a running book but I've seen similar ones online. But I wouldn't run until you've sorted out the current problem.

[Greg_M Graduate]

Rest up definitely if it is that sore, your body is telling you something important. Once it subsides I might take a gentle loosener and see if it returns, if so or you are not confident then a little physio advice or if your doctor has an interest in sports and muscle aches its worth a conversation if only to put your mind at rest.

If your loosener doesn't cause it to resurface it might just have been a bad session.

Irresistable as it might be to battle on its a long term thing this running lark and you can stand a bit of a rest. In six months time a week out will be all forgotten and it takes s couple of weeks for your fitness to fall off to any extent

Look after yourself, you're important!

[plodder]

Thanks for all the advice. I've never been one for the gym. (reminds me of the worst days at school!) It's good to know that there are lots of us that having the same sort of feelings and that we're not on our own. Lovely spring day and I had to walk instead of run, never ever thought I'd miss going for a run. This C25K is really good idea.