Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
I need advice
Background info: I am a semi-runner. I go through spurts of love it and hate it (don't we all?) I ran JV track in highschool, basically I wasn't good enough to compete in anything, but I worked out with the team. Then in college did nothing for 4 years, and after college started getting on the working out bandwagon and got a bit into running. My sister is an amazing runner and she convinced me to get out the door and just start moving at a snails pace. I am slow, and I am okay with that, atleast I don't sit on the couch every day after work anymore 
3 years ago I ran broad street (10 miles), 2 years ago I ran the Philly half, last year I got married and couldn't find the time to train, so only ran 1 5K. This year, I signed up for a 5K series which is 6 races total, plus I am signed up for broad street again on May 6th.
Heres my dillema, I am starting to experience shooting pains in the back of my lower leg. Its like the spot in between my calf and ankle. Regular walking doesn't hurt it, but walking up or down stairs and running does hurt it. When I step down the pain shoots through the back of my lower leg. Its really weird, bc I can't tell if its a muscle pain, and its not a joint pain. My sister thinks it sounds like tendonitis or bursitis and suggested I rest it this week.
Okay, here is my real dillema now. I have a 5K this Sunday (april 22nd), a 5K next Saturday (april 28th) and then the 10 miler the following Sunday (May 6th). I have already done 2 7 mile training runs, and wanted to do an 8 mile this week, 9 mile next week and then taper before the big race. With this pain in my leg, I'm nervous to hurt myself worse. But, I'm also nervous to not do any more long runs between now and Broad street, ~3 weeks. For the lower to mid level runners, what would you schedule for the next three weeks?
Thanks, sorry for the book!
Re: I need advice
My Clean Eating Blog
Green Living Reading List
GO! St. Louis Half Marathon-2:32:13
Omaha Half Marathon 9.23.12
there should be no pain in running - especially shooting pain.
i wouldnt rush to a dr though right away. most drs will just tell you to rest (and if rest doesnt work, then they will do xrays - but you are not even close to that point).
i would take at least 3 days off from ALL activities, aside from swimming. i would ice the orgin of pain, stretch a lot (perhaps do hot yoga) and try to see a massage therapist, or even better - active release therapist - immediately.
i would not run and definitely would not race if it hurts.
good luck! hopefully its just slight tendonitis that needs to be massaged out.
My Clean Eating Blog
Green Living Reading List
That is awesome advice. Do that.
My Clean Eating Blog
Green Living Reading List
Thanks so much for the advice! I feel like the only other people I talk to (besides my sister) about running is always 'run through the pain, go faster, go farther, no excuses, etc. Its exhausting trying to keep up!
Anyway - I did just get new shoes about 4 weeks ago. I have never been fitted for proper running shoes. Like I said, I am not that advanced and honestly don't want to spend over $65 on running shoes. It's probably not the smartest decision, I know
About taking off for 3 days, I did that this weekend (fri, sat, sun) and the pain did get better. But then I ran 3 miles after work yesterday and it was back. Hurting me last night and this morning, stairs are the absolute worst!
Question - what is active release therapy?
active release therapy is when you engage the muscle enabling the therapist to get in deep to help break up tendinitis, scar tissue, etc. i have found it to be the quickest way to recover from an injury or soreness.
this is what happens when you run through pain:
- it hurts more
- you gait changes to something less natural with the pain-free side over-compensating
- you start feeling pain on the other side due to over-compensation
- you start feeling pain other places since you are running in a weird way
- you get a stress fracture.
anyone who tells you to run through pain is giving you horrible advice.
there is discomfort while running but this is totally different - this is stuff like fatigue, lactic acid, heavy legs, side cramps, etc. sometimes yeah, running doesnt feel good, especially when doing a really long or fast run. but it should not hurt.