[Liz3yy]

I'm suffering with my left knee again

I bought some new trainers recently after having my gait checked, my first couple of runs in them were great with no aches and pains anywhere. I noticed my knee aching a bit again last night though after about 10 minutes but it was bearable, this morning though my knee really hurts when I go up and down stairs and even normal walking isnt very comfortable.

The pain is at the front of the knee just underneath the knee cap. Its so annoying as I'm really enjoying running and getting fit enough to run for longer at a time. I dont want to have to give up because of this.

Someone help! :'(

 

[richardsimkiss]

I'm guessing you've not dramatically increased your training recently? Of course if you have then the likelihood is, that's it!

Otherwise it sounds like the knee is doing what it's supposed to, whether there's some damage or whether the knee joint just isn't moving in the litle track it's supposed to, I honestly don't know - perhaps time for a bit of specialist advice?

 

[Liz3yy]

Well I have increased my mileage a bit recently. I was used to doing 2 miles at a go then suddenly fancied doing 3 and my problems seem to have started since then. Do you think I'm pushing myself too hard then? I have only been running properly since May.

 

[zanshin]

maybe you could try shortening your stride to minimise impact shock.

 

[richardsimkiss]

it's hard to say... some people can deal with an increase no problem, but when you consider a jump from 2miles to 3miles is a 50% increase, I guess the body could find the jump in mileage quite a struggle!

It'd perhaps be worth easing into the increase from 2-3 miles a little more steadily since your knee is giving you a bit of grief? In saying that I've increased my training over the past week or so and my knees are beginning to ache a little, but they seem to be holding out okay with rest an a bit of compression bandaging while i'm sleepin

 

[Steve]

You don't seem to be having much luck do you!

 

[Liz3yy]

That makes sense....

Actually now I think of it, I think my run last night wasnt great for my knees, I set off much quicker than usual and ended up running the first mile a lot faster that I normally would after I noticed some horse riders behind me, I kept my pace up so I wouldnt have them come up behind me too soon (I was running down the trailway which is very narrow in places) stupid really, I should have waited and let them pass!

I did a mile in less than 10 minutes which for me is bloody quick as it normally takes more like 11 and a bit.

The moral of the story is, dont run quicker than your legs can cope with, especially when you're only 4,11 like me! lol

 

[LEECE]

To be honest Lizzy, i dont think there is a runner out there who does not suffer with niggles from running from time to time, i certainly have, tight muscles in my calve, ham or even butt muscles, or my shoulders, i think the more mileage and effort you put in the more niggles appear, i have to say i run through these, i have never suffered a major injury but i do get niggles now and again.

I get a pain in my left knee exactly where you said, but i think that could be due to maybe hill work or cycling i did last sunday.

Do you do the same route etc...

 

[Liz3yy]

Well I think I'm guilty of being over keen! my boss and another of the managers at work both like running too and agree that I'm probably taking things too quickly.

I'm going to go back to running 2 miles for a bit as I know I can cope with that all right and then increase the distance verrrrrry slowly from now on, I have learnt my lesson big time.

 

[Liz3yy]

Hi Leece, I used to suffer with aches in my thighs and calves when I started but they dont bother me now, its just my knee protesting at the sudden increase in activity. Its about time I listened to what its trying to tell me!

 

[LEECE]

Yes its certainly telling you something is not right, perhaps get someone to look at it hun... otherwise it will make you lose your confidence every time you go out because you are thinking about it before you started

Hope it heals

 

[richardsimkiss]

It's always worth remembering that the muscles can adapt to the stresses & strains much quicker than joints, bones & tendons/ligaments can!

 

[Steve]

Aches and strains are natural....I can't remember the last time I ran without some niggle or other.

You just need to be able to recognise if it is a normal running niggle or an actual injury.

 

[Hrun]

Lizzy *huggs*

Don't get disheartened. You are doing so well. Drop back to two miles for a week and see if the ache goes away. Then increase slowly and you will get there.

I ache with overuse and have to back off sometimesto let my body catch up with my desire

 

[beasty1711]

also if your shoes are still new ish.. they may be breaking in still which would mean that they havnt squished to your feet properly yet and so your feet might be reacting to the ground differently causing slight twists/ tweeks

 

[Liz3yy]

Thanks guys, I didnt bother with running yesterday, my knee was still aching a little and besides we fancied a day out at Longleat. It was great fun feeding the sea lions and being dive bombed by bats in the mine!

Anyway I decided to venture out this morning despite the rain and jogged very slowly a mile down the trailway and back again with a break in the middle to stretch, it took 25 minutes and my knee feels fine.

At last it has dawned on me that I've been trying to run too fast too quickly, and that has knackered my knee. I saw another runner out this morning on the trailway who gave me friendly wave, and I noticed she was jogging really slow, a lightbulb went off in my head, damn I've been trying to go too fast! what a pillock I am! LOL!

 

[Hrun]

Pacing is the name of the game Liz.

Short run go fast, Long run go slow. (At our level they all seem slow, but we are talking 10 min/mile over 1 milw or 11 min/mile over 3 miles) Races are won and lost on pacing the race correctly. I was watching the end of the Women racing the GNR over breaky and the brit came 3rd as there was just not enough left in the tank to sustain the sprint finish, but in the last few miles you could see them trying to maintain pace to stay near the front but still leave enough to finish strongly. Fasinating to watch.

 

[Liz3yy]

You're right Hrun/Giles, I've learnt the hard way how to pace myself properly according to my abilities, I'm still new to running so am still learning how it all works. I'm not going to try running a 5km fairly fast again until my 2 milers get easier, now my knee feels ok I'm not going to ruin it!

 

[Hrun]

Call me either Liz I am not fussy what I answer too.

I learnt the hard way as well and still have trouble with setting off to fast on long runs. I have to deliberately slow myself down. A couple of weeks ago I went to do 10k but set off so fast I had to stop at 5k and walk home

 

[Liz3yy]

I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever be free of pain, I was fine during my run but again just walking about today my knee aches when I bend. It's getting on my nerves now.