Hi all

Against my better judgement I recently took up running to get fitter and lose some weight. I ride enduro bikes for my main hobby and I thought this would bolster my fitness levels and help to keep me going on the longer events.....

well, I didn't know how addictive it could be! On my first weekI went out four times with a day rest in between. I couldn't believe I'd resisted it for so long! (I'm 31).

My problem is, however, that my right knee (and to a lesser extent, my left) is not enjoying it so much at all.
After the last couple of runs I got quite bad pain on the inside of the kneecap of my right knee. I decided to rest for a couple of days, and seek the advice of a running shop. I also trawled the internet, to research the problem. Runner's knee, caused by bad footfall or weak quads etc.

So I went to a running shop in Leeds who initially seemed very helpful. I'd kind of decided that since I can do heavy squats at the gym with no knee pain, and ride enduro for 5 hours at a time with no problems, that it probably wasn't my quads and that I didn't have a general knee problem. BTW, for those that don't know, enduro is like motocross with larger bikes and the events are over 3-9 hours. VERY knee-intensive!

Anyway, bloke in shop says I am probably an over-pronator, which is good news and easily solved. He said he'd put me on a treadmill in some new trainers and go from there. I felt good about this, but was also worried that his main motovation was to get me to part with 100 or so quid for new trainers. I tested this theory by asking if I should bring my existing trainers in the show him. He said there would be no point, so I asked how he could be sure my trainers were at fault if he didn't see them?


Anyway - long story short: I DON'T want to stop running, and I DO NOT accept that "I'm not cut out for it" since man has been running since the dawn of time.

Any advice would be appreciated, even if it's just to trust the running shop and pay the money! I felt the running was going really well, and the fat was dropping off!

Extra info: I'm 31 years old, moderately fit, large frame, 15 stones, running on the road (hate treadmills!).

Thankyou all in advance, I really want to get back into this..................

From what you say about your current level of fitness and the amount of stress you have put through your knees without problems, I'm inclined to think it is your running shoes that are at fault. Pounding the roads puts a different kind of stress through the knee to what you have been doing, so you'll need support and cushionin to take some of the shock.


What trainers did you start running in?

Like Trin says, could be the shoes, I have suffered with something that sounds extremely similiar which turned out to be ITBS (Iliotibial band syndrome ).

Proved to be easily fixed which was good, is it possible to see a physio, I'm sure that they would be able to help you.

You do need proper running shoes fitted initially by a running specialist shop. I hate to think what you are running in at the moment.

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Run Eddie Run

Hi all

Thanks for the speedy replies.

At the moment, I am running in Asics shoes. I can't find an exact match to show you, but these are close:

OK, I'll go and see the guys at upandrunning in Leeds. I really hope it is something as simple as shoes - I'm really keen to get back out there - I found it great for flushing out the mind!

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I had a similar when i started running my knees and back had real problems and i went and bought a pair of running shoes (but being a student they werent that good approx £20-30) and they didnt really hug my feet like my ones i hav just now do. however, the trainers made no real difference to me at all. knees got worse n i was only 20 which was quite worrying. then at christmas time i decided to buy another pair of running shoes so went to achillies heel and the girl was fanastic looked at my feet (to my horror) and tried lots of shoes on n stuff and got a decent pair at an over the budget price and the woman advised me to wear knee supports when exercising - RESULT!!! knees got better no back pain and running became SO much easier.

so yes, go to the shop get ur feet looked at and get a good pair of running shoes you will benefit from them. and also consider some support for ur knees whilt ur running.

hope you get on alright!

Thanks all for your replies.

I can confirm that my trianers are Asics Gel Mojave, but I have no idea whether this is making you go "ah, that explains it" or, "oh, maybe you're just a freak then..."

I'm off running again right now, despite the fact I know it'll hurt. I just can't stop!

Anyway, I booked Friday off, and I've been told of a few places near me in Horseforth (leeds) and Otely that are expert outlets. I'll get sorted there.

I'm also going to pay more attention to the terrain I'm running on too......

Again: thanks to you all.

Trick,
Don't overdo it as you could make your injury much much worse and end up being 'off running' for months and months. Even with the correct shoes as a beginner you will need to build up gradually DO NOT increase your mileage by more than 10% per week and aim to run no more than 3 times a week intially - rest days should be an active part of your traning program.

Have a look at www.runinjuryfree.com and www.halhigdon.com for training advice.

Best of luck as being injured sucks. Also if you have a pre-existing injury when you buy new shoes you may find it will take a couple of weeks for the injury to subside new shoes will not automatically fix it. You may need to build up to wearing your shoes gradually.

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Run Eddie Run

Trick... I echo what SE just said. Don't run injured or you'll risk making it worse and be off for much longer.

Despite having a good fitness level, you are using different muscles and building up too quickly will only end in tears.

Good luck with finding some good running shoes...might be worth taking your existing ones with you on Friday.

Well, it was fairly painful to run last night, but curiously, this morning my knee feels a lot better.
It still aches, but not as much. It felt great to be out!

I'm going to leave the running until friday, and just train on the bike.
I have booked a day off on Friday and I'm going, cash in hand, to Huddersfield's UpandRunning shop.

Does anyone have any info on any supps I can take to give my knees a helping hand? Cod liver oil?

Thanks for your advice Ed and Trin. I know I shouldn't have gone out, and I certainly wasn't ignoring your advice - it's just that I got your post when I'd got back!

I feel so much better all round for just going for that little trot! I feel like I've been missing out all these years!

The shop you mention in Huddersfield is run by runners (excuse the pun) so you should get good advice there, and I believe they have a running machine for gait analysis.
As regards supplements, try a combined Cod Liver Oil and Evening Primrose Oil capsule (500 mg of each) obtainable from Boots in Huddersfield - so you can kill two birds with one stone! I've used them for years, specifically for my knees. I recently recommended them to my grand-daughter who was having knee problems due to all the training she was doing in the run-up to a triathlon. They took a few days to kick in but fairly soon the pain eased and she managed the triathlon with no problems.
Cheers!

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Give me the hills!

I used to buy my shoes from the likes of JJB, Sports Factory Outlet and so on straight off the shelf because theye were advertised under the 'running' banner, until I started running 5 times a week and these shoes were doing my shins more damage than good and every training night was painful and uncomfortable and the pain even persisted afterwards when walking up the stairs or just around the house. If I'm honest, I just used to look for size 11 and it would usually be the cheapest pair I could find!! Eventually I went to Up And Running and had a proper gait analysis and the guy must have spent half an hour with me at least until we were both happy. I trusted his experience and better judgement and was eager to get out and try the new shoes he sold me. It was the best seventy quid I've spent and three months later I'm completely pain free - I did 5 miles last night and 7 the night before which would have been impossible back in May. I don't think it's a case of the shop just trying to get people to part with money - of course, they have a business to run, but what good is that if a customer never comes back? I know what shoes are suitable for me now and even though I could order them for a few pounds less online, well, I think I owe it to the shop to go back and buy my next pair from them.

My experience was exactly like Robs.

Best time and money I ever spent. (In relation to running that is.............. )

Nah, I'm looking forward to it to be honest.

I've also read a thread where Dave recommends a knee brace, which I may also try if advised to do so at the shop.

Evening Primrose oil? Isn't that for PMT?

I'm a person who likes to understand what's what with a problem, so I'm looking forward to a chat during the gait analysis. At the moment, my knee feels like if It had a rod running through the middle of it to make it bend - the bushes/bearings have gone!

Thanks all

Yeah, for Problems Maximising Traction!

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Give me the hills!