The couch is calling

[Tim1984]

Just finished week 2 run 3 and it is by far the worst yet. The first 2 runs in week 1 I did with hiking shoes but got some jogger's after that and. W1r3 was a breeze but this week i have been getting slowly worse. Both it in time and pain. Both knees are killing me, I could hardly make it up the stairs when I got home this morning. The area where I live has foot paths that slope towards the road sosy contribute but not sure. Has anyone had similar issues with pain and how did you get around it? I'm not ready to give up but i can't keep going like this. I'm considering rerunning week 2 again next week.

[bellspond Graduate]

I had terrible pain in my shins and feet when I started so I got some insoles to lift my arches, I couldn’t believe how much they helped.

[F4TMAN in reply to bellspond]

Was uncomfortable rather than painful for me but "arch support" insoles really helped for me

[ccarter100]

Don’t give up! I’m sure you will hear from some of the mentors on this forum who have much more sage advice than I, but here is my two cents: This is a very new activity for most of us. Sometimes our bodies need more than one day in between runs to recover. When I started I often put two or three days for rest and recovery, and that helped a lot. Stretch well before you go, run slow-slow-slow, walk the hills if you need to since your knees are not used to the incline, and give them ice and ibuprofen afterwards. You can do this!!!

[Helm108 Graduate]

My knees went in week 2 as well - and I've seen plenty more who had the same. I ended up taking 2 weeks off before I tried again, but when I picked up where I left off I was running much faster and it felt much more comfortable! Obviously you must do what is right for you, but I thought I'd mention it, on the off chance you're experiencing the same.

[JaniceT56]

Same here with week 2! My knees were very painful and I needed to have more rest days and got the Voltarol out! Also went swimming instead of running. Have started again now and my knees are good so far. I'm over 60 so fitness levels are one of my other struggles but have decided to repeat each week until I can complete with ease before I move on. Hope you can get back to it with pain free ease soon.

[icklegui Graduate]

If real pain, get checked out.

Otherwise, try some knee strengthening exercises? There's some NHS ones you should find with a quick google, mostly done sitting down so you can do them at a desk!

Also you say you got some "joggers" ... but I hope that means actual running shoes and not leisure trainers! I wouldn't have known the difference previously...

Hopefully the aches will subside as you get stronger. Always take the repair day - or more - after each run day.

[Tim1984]

Thankyou. The runners I've got have memory foam but I have high archers so may need to put in an arch support. I noticed last night when I was getting into bed that my right ankle is swollen. May be a light sprain. My wife got me some tubigrips and walking round today they are helping. I've also started taking vitamins and electrolytes. I'm due my next run tomorrow but it's still up in the air at the moment.. thanks again for the advise