running suggestions please

(1) Often it is a she problem. I presume you have NEW shoes,
specially fitted by a running store expert. If not you wasting our
time.
(2) Do not run on concrete or asphalt.

"Ignoramus31978" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

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Some random thoughts. If you find that you are unable to run, but able
to walk, that is not bad at all, as you apparently enjoy walking and
it is almost as good at keeping you healthy into old age.

Second, what kind of nikes are your shoes. You might be able to find
something more springy, with more cushion.

Third, as you noted, your weight might be the issue for you. Your
knees may be more sensitive than others', so, comparing yourself to
other individuals is not sensible.

Fourth, I had long term problem with knee pain just as you
described. I could not run for more than very few times per week, and
not for long at each time (20-30 min). Otherwise I would have knee
pain.

This only ended, perhaps coincidentally, when I went on a low carb
diet and stopped eating various grains etc. Now I can run as much as I
please, including daily when I am able to find time. I enjoy every
minute of running, at leastwhen the weather is good. I did not lose
any weight on a low carb diet, so, my weight is not a variable that
changed.

Thanks! I too am low carb and have been following a variation of Atkins for
nearly a year now. Combined with speed walking and, lately some running as
I said before, I have been able to lose over 85 pounds. I'm still 20 lbs
above where the doctor's chart says I should be, so I'm still trying to
lose, but I've reached a plateau now.

Joel

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i

Joel Richards said:

Here's the story: I'm 34, male, about 20 lbs. overweight and have

been

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walking for nearly 5 years.

That's gotta be an endurance record.

I had similar problems before. I tried calcium pills like biocal,
the pain just went away.

"Joel Richards" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

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Here's the story: I'm 34, male, about 20 lbs. overweight and have been
walking for nearly 5 years. Lately, I decided to try running. For two
weeks, I was slowly running two 0.5 mile segments during my 4 mile walk

(in

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other words, 1 total mi running mixed in with the 3 walking miles). Then,
late last week, I started noticing pain in the knees. This past Saturday
was the worst, so I decided to rest both yesterday and today. However,

the

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tinge of knee pain is still there even after a slow 20 minute walking
warm-up. I was afraid to even walk any faster, let alone run, so I
abandoned it all in favor of cycling, which worked out ok and did not

bring

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on knee pain afterwards. So my questions are: 1) Why are my knees hurting
slightly? 2) What can be done about it?

Just FYI, I've been doing a pre-running warmup with a fast 1 mile walk.
Then slow run (5.5-6.5 mph) for 0.5 mi then back to walking. After 1.5
miles, I do a final slow, run followed by the walking warm-down.

Some people have said I still need to drop weight, yet I see overweight
people running regularly, with much larger stomachs than I have. I have
also read that maybe my shoes weren't right. I use a pair of Nike running
shoes/ sneakers, with both Dr. Scholl's gel and arch inserts (the arch
insole rests directly on top of the gels). I thought this might be enough
cushioning, but not sure or even if I should have placed one insert over
another. I've been running mainly on asphalt road and avoiding concrete:
some say I should have run in the grass.

What gives? Every time I've started up running in the last 5 years, I've
ended up with knee or foot pain. I can walk as fast as a slow run (5mph)
and never experience these pains. I'm starting to come to the conclusion
that maybe I just shouldn't run at all and stick to speed walking,

although

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over this two week running period, I did notice an increase in my cardio
stamina, so walking wasn't doing it all.

Getting quite frustrated here, but stopping and resting before I end up
causing a serious injury. Like I mentioned, the pain is slight (and even
goes away after the initial jog... that is, until the next day), but I

don't

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want to risk further injury.

Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Joel

Joel Richards said:

Thanks! I too am low carb and have been following a variation of Atkins for
nearly a year now. Combined with speed walking and, lately some running as
I said before, I have been able to lose over 85 pounds. I'm still 20 lbs
above where the doctor's chart says I should be, so I'm still trying to
lose, but I've reached a plateau now.

Joel

I've lost about 50 pounds and am at the upper limit of the normal range.
I started trying to run last summer and found that my hips gave me
trouble. I switched mostly to bicycling, but I decided I really wanted
to do a sprint triathlon so would try to find a solution for the
running. I already had custom orthotics, which are essential for me
since my high arches started to fall.

My solution is to increase incredibly slowly, and to run on a track for
maximum softness, and only three times a week. For a couple of months I
walked to the track and ran once around. When my hips were clearly
getting better I started to increase by one lap every month or two. I'm
now running two miles three times a week on the track.

I figure that I never strengthened all the little muscles that absorb
the shock when running, and so it takes a very long time for those to
build up. I feel foolish sometimes working so seriously to do so
little, but it is working.

Pam

Walking since you were 29? I guess some folks are just late bloomers.
On that schedule, you'll probably get laid about the same time you get
your first social security check.

Joel Richards said:

Some people have said I still need to drop weight, yet I see overweight
people running regularly, with much larger stomachs than I have.

I doubt your being 20 pounds overweight has much to do with it. As you
said, there are lots of people larger than you are who can run without
knee pain.

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I have
also read that maybe my shoes weren't right. I use a pair of Nike running
shoes/ sneakers, with both Dr. Scholl's gel and arch inserts (the arch
insole rests directly on top of the gels). I thought this might be enough
cushioning, but not sure or even if I should have placed one insert over
another.

First, as others have suggested, consult a shoe stop that specializes in
running shoes. They can suggest the proper kind of shoe for the type of
running you do. Your Nikes simply might not be right for your feet.

Second, try running without the inserts, the arch inserts in particular.
Those inserts change how your feet hit the ground, and that can be bad for
your feet and legs. Most of the runners I know don't need arch supports.
Those that do had proper orthodics prescribed by a doctor.

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I've been running mainly on asphalt road and avoiding concrete:
some say I should have run in the grass.

I would suggest dirt trails. There's probably a park near you with
walking or hiking trails. The problem with grass is the ground underneath
is often not uniform, and you run a greater risk of ankle injury than on
surfaces you can clearly see.

You might also try a local high school track, particularly if it's an
all-weather track.

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What gives? Every time I've started up running in the last 5 years, I've
ended up with knee or foot pain. I can walk as fast as a slow run (5mph)
and never experience these pains. I'm starting to come to the conclusion
that maybe I just shouldn't run at all and stick to speed walking, although
over this two week running period, I did notice an increase in my cardio
stamina, so walking wasn't doing it all.

I recently got over a persistent knee problem myself. In my case, my form
was the problem. Waaaaay back in high school, my cross country coach
convinced me that my stride was too long, and that shortening it would
help me run faster. A few years ago, I twisted my knee, and any run
longer than about 3 miles would aggravate it. As an experiment, I've
recently switched back to my old, "lopey" stride, and I no longer have
pain.

Find out if there's a running group or club in your area. Most welcome
all runners of any ability level, and some even run clinics for newcomers.
Most have a few local "pros" that might be able to offer some suggestions
about your running form. If you don't know if there's a group near you,
check your local parks & recreation department. There's a pretty good
list of them at http://www.rrca.org/ as well.

If all else fails, and your knee pain persists, see your doctor.

-James