Trying to figure out if my leg pain is from shoes or just bad feet/legs?
I just started running 3 weeks ago. First started off running in some Merrell Chameleons which are really just trail/hiking shoes. Started out with easy 20 min runs - had some leg pain and figured it was the shoes plus just beginners pain. Checked my Pronotion and I “thought” I was more neutral so I bought a pair of Pearl Izumi Peak XC’s. I’ve been running in them for two weeks now 25 mins per run last week 4-5 runs and started this week at 30 mins 2 runs so far. Pretty much during every single run I have had leg pains which makes it VERY difficult to run so I’m just trying to figure out what may be the cause so I can get it corrected. Last week I would have leg pains that would last from the run into a day or two after the run. I was icing every day pretty much all day (I work from home). Yesterday was my first 30 min run where I had minimal amouts of leg pain (but it was still there) and no pain after the run - so I though I may of had it licked. Went for another 30 min run tonight and the pain was really bad, so much so that I almost couldn’t finish the run and had a hard time walking for about 1/2 hour after the run. 1 1/2 hours after the run no leg pain at all and actually my legs felt normal. I’m not sure if I bought the wrong shoes or I just need lots more time to acclimate non runners legs into runners legs.
I attached some photos below to show my wet foot prints as well as my legs showing in red where I feel the leg pain. It also looks to me that my ankles twist “in” an excessive amount (I could be wrong, maybe this is just normal?)
The area I’m having the pain when running is noted in the photo below in red as well as some minor pain on the inside of each knee.
Wrong shoes or just excessive beginners running pains? Just keep my increase in running time to 10% a week and it should go away?
Thanks for any ideas, thoughts an suggestions.
Michael
Go to a speciality running store - one that will watch you run, check your gait, pronation, stride and recommend an appropriate shoe. Worked for me. I ran in a “comfortable shoe” crazy shin splints all the time. Thought I was doing it wrong. Got the right shoe and never had a problem again. Back then I was running 12 - 15 miles a week in pain. Since I’m pain free and have gradually increased my mileage to 40-50 miles.
And another thing - you are probably going too fast! Slow down. Conversational pace. You should be running at a pace you can sustain a conversation without labored breath.
Good luck! There are tons of great resources on there… Look for BarryP threads… the man knows running.
Damn, shin splints! - Duh on me!
I thought the Pearl Izumi shoes were “good” shoes, they get great reviews here??? Just the wrong shoes for me?
I’ll try and find a running shop and drop by for a review.
Started running 3 weeks ago in some trail/hiking shoes…Good, started running
Ran through initial pain…Good, sucked it up
Got better shoes…Smart move
Run 4 to 5 times 25 minutes a week…Probably too much
Have shin splints…Time to take a step back, heal up and start again with less volume.
Be easy on yourself, don’t expect to start off from nothing and run 15-20 miles a week.
After healing up I would cut your run time down to 2 miles 3 times a week for several weeks and then add more run days.
Hope you heal up soon and can get back to running.
I would definitely check your natural gait, sounds if you’re overpronating to compensate your high arches. As recommended above, head to a running shop and have them watch your natural gait and your stride. Immediately, I’m thinking you need some arch support and probably some proper rest times between runs. Space them out, give yourself a days rest before you go back out. Running 4-5 times per week @ 25 mins with pain is more detrimental to your training then say 2-3 times per week for 20 mins.
Started running 3 weeks ago in some trail/hiking shoes…Good, started running
Ran through initial pain…Good, sucked it up
Got better shoes…Smart move
Run 4 to 5 times 25 minutes a week…Probably too much
Have shin splints…Time to take a step back, heal up and start again with less volume.
Be easy on yourself, don’t expect to start off from nothing and run 15-20 miles a week.
After healing up I would cut your run time down to 2 miles 3 times a week for several weeks and then add more run days.
Hope you heal up soon and can get back to running.
jaretj
2X on this… Even the navy SEAL training book says to start with 3 runs a week for 2-3 weeks then back off for a week due to an increased risk of stress fractures.
Just remember, you have the rest of your life to get better at running. If you were to start running 1/2 mile a day from scratch and add 10% a week, you’d be running 70 miles a week in a year. Odds are you wouldn’t get past 40 miles a week or so in that period of time, but the point still stands…give it time! Many adults past the age of 30 really shouldn’t start with more than 10 minutes a day.
Take a week off and do everything you can to heal up. Stretch, massage, ice, etc. When you come back, start easy.
