Any runners out there? (Advice needed)

[twobrewers]

About a year ago I started to seriously run again for the first time since high school. (I am 27)

 

I had stayed in decent shape, so I was able to start out with about 3 mile run. As weeks went by added more and more miles as I felt better. Soon I was running 7 miles in a clip without thinking twice about it.

 

Once after running seven miles I lifted a few weights - felt good, and did it again. At that point I started thinking I might as well run a marathon.

 

About 3 months ago I decided I would run a half marathon on the treadmill to see how I felt. I had no problem and kept a good pace. But the next day my knee started hurting. I figured I had just over done it and had a case of "runners knee".

 

I took the next week off and went easy the week after. Slowly I worked my way back up to my 7 mile runs. I had no problems. However, when I try to push past 10 miles - my knee starts to hurt again. (sometimes one - sometimes the other)

 

I saw a doctor awhile back for my runners knee. She told me to work on strengthening my hamstrings and stretching. So I have.

 

I feel I have the stamina to run a marathon right now. But I can't get past my knee pain. It is never severe - but I don't want to push it to that point either.

 

I have a decent pair of shoes. (I think - $75 Nikes) I am running on a treadmill - so the shock shouldn't be too much.

 

Anyone ever have similar problems or have any advice (strengthening? stretches?) to get past it?

[rwa12]

You seem to have a running background, so I am sure you know this, but I will offer my small advice anyways. The price of the shoe isn't important, the fit is what will help with knee pain. I had a similar problem a few years ago, went in for a proper fitting at a store for running shoes, and found out that I was wearing the wrong style of shoe for my foot type. Once I had the proper support, my knee pain vanished. Hope this works for you as well.

[twobrewers]

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I had a similar problem a few years ago, went in for a proper fitting at a store for running shoes, and found out that I was wearing the wrong style of shoe for my foot type.

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I've heard this before too. But I never know how much stock to put into it.

 

The guys at the oil change place tell me my serpentine belt needs to be replaced every time. They need to tell me that to make a sale.

 

The guy at the shoe store will tell me that I need these shoes, because he needs to sell me something as well.

[dadofandrew]

They never tell me my belt needs to be replaced. I'd take that as a hint to get it fixed, or at least get it checked by a mechanic you trust.

 

Oh, and take a look at me...I know nothing about running.

[Beast Light]

I began running about a year ago after several years of laziness in college. I am 23 and like you, managed to stay in semi-decent shape. After I had begun running for a few weeks, my knees began to hurt so bad that the pain was causing me to hobble around a bit.

 

I decided to go out and buy a nice pair a shoes to see if it would help. A lot of investigation went into the process as I wanted to find the most confortable shoes possible. Eventually, I found a pair I liked (some Asics shoe). When I began running in the new shoes, the pain went away in a matter of days. So I agree, the shoes can make a huge difference.

 

If you are feeling pain that cannot be attributed to an injury, chances are it has something to do with you mechanics. Shoes, I believe, can have a big influence.

[hawing]

If Jimbo doesn't post here by, say, the end of the weekend, you might try to reach him by PM. He has run marathons (the most recent being some big city in Massachusetts in April; I just wish I could remember the name) and I bet would be glad to talk to you about it.

[GAME05]

i'll ask one of my bosses on Monday and see what he says, he's a triathaloner.

 

my experience is in hiking, so take it for what it's worth.....the tendons is what I was thinking along with your doctor. the patela tendon that holds the kneecap in place, when the muscles in the legs are getting overworked, it has less strength to hold the kneecap solidly in place, it starts sliding just slightly and that causes a slight but not severe knee pain. you can buy patella braces for the knee, but to start with, just to see if this might indeed be the case, tie something like a bandana medium tightness just underneath the kneecap. hopefully that might work for you.

 

I agree with the above posters that I don't think it's the shoe. i've developed bursitis in my knee from new insoles in my shoes (the slight change in pronation caused it), but since your shoes are worn in already, they're probably not the source of the problem.

[Jimbo]

If you're in the Milwaukee area, make an appointment with In-Step. They have locations downtown, in Mequon, Greenfield and Delafield. They have a teadmill, and high-speed film if necessary. They can evaluate your stride and foot strike, then recommend shoe options. They are active and highly respected in the running community. Make an appointment. Just do it.

[AJOHNSON104]

Also, try out www.badgerlandstriders.org. The grafiti board is a great place for advice on everything from training plans to injuries.

Aurora Sports Medicine also gives free injury assessments. I've gone a few times and have been very happy with the results.

I've been running on and off for about 25 years myself, with a few marathons under my belt. The first thing I do when something hurts is replace my shoes. It almost always works. I found it odd that they say replace shoes every 500 miles, but it really is about right. For example, if you run 20 miles per week, you should get new shoes every 6 months.

[DHonks]

once again, it shows the equipment is important. I'm a golfer, and a bowling enthusiast (not good yet, but hope to be). I've come to realize that people that buy their clubs at Sports Authority likely will never break 80.

 

So if I ever take up running, I now know where to look

[strawbossisevil]

I used to be a big time runner before Anterior Compartment Syndrome knocked me out of the game.

 

Are you running heel to toe. Some injuries can come up if you are landing more in the middle of your foot (which sends the shock of the foot landing right up your legs and into your knees).

 

I might also suggest running on grass instead of those treadmills. Running outside is a lot more fun, and the grass will provide a bit of cushion for your knees.

 

As always, stretching is a good thing. If you have tight Hams or Quads that can cause a lot of problems with your knees, back etc.

 

You might also have tendinitis in your knee, which might get aggravated when you run longer distances. Not much you can do with that but ice and take anti inflammatory medicine such as Ibprofin.

[BuckyTuba]

i'd look into getting a compression knee band. it'll hold your knee cap tight, and won't allow slipping. i had the same problem, and i got a knee band, and it feels great.

http://www.supports4u.com/Fla/fla-ksta.jpg

 

i also invested in some new balance 902's, which have been getting great reviews from runner's world (shoe of the year 2007). they were about $100 from the new balance online store (i shopped around for the price), but they feel amazing, and i've decided to make the switch 2 weeks before my marathon.

they just look cool too, bright orange.

http://www.barlou.com/running/img/new-balance/nb_902_homme_orange_0107_gm.jpg

[mothershipconnection]

Yoga annihilates joint pain.

[twobrewers]

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Aurora Sports Medicine also gives free injury assessments. I've gone a few times and have been very happy with the results.

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Lots of good advice so far. I forgot about this one - the YMCA I work out has this listed in their program. I think I will give them a call. (Even though I am not technically injured - they can probably point me on the right track)

 

I had also thought about the knee brace. (But buying a bunch of gadgets like braces and shoes without knowing the problem MIGHT solve it. But it might just leave me with a bunch of stuff I didn't need)

 

I thought about Yoga too. My YMCA offers Pilates - think that is close enough?

[mothershipconnection]

I've never done pilates so I can't say. I got into Yoga by buying a couple $10-$15 DVD's. Yeah, I guess it gets a little stale to do the same routine over and over, but I spent less than $50 for my collection, and can use it for years. I've always had knee and back pain and Yoga has done much more than any non-medical/pharmacological treatment option I've ever tried.