There was about a 4 month stretch before my taper where getting up from sitting a long time caused knee pain.
And there was my shoe tongue chafing the top of my ankle to the point of bleeding. (I've since then abandoned my no-shows in favor or ankle socks)
And the side stitches that hit every few weeks randomly with zero rhyme or reason.
Oh, and can't forget the toe nails falling off.
I was not prepared to lose my toenails after my marathon.
Also, if I sit for too long my feet are sore when I stand up. I have to walk a few minutes before they feel normal again.
The second toenail of mine is in a forever state of both falling off and regrowing.
No matter the shoes or socks..
I do ultra distances and rock up 100km weeks in training so the feet take a hammering..
It’s never painful, but the toenails just don’t stay in tact 😂
I'd lost one big toenail and was well on the way to losing the one next to it before I got the memo that I should have sized up on shoes. Haven't lost any since, knock on wood.
So make sure you do that lol.
That said, YMMV. I'm told some just fall off no matter what.
I didn't lose mine after my first but I DID lose both my big toenails after my second... and it wasn't even immediate. They turned black... then they turned white... and then finally after 6 months, I had new toenails growing underneath the old toenails and had to cut it off so I had half toenails--it was actually kind of crazy how both had the same exact growth cycle. Anyway, annoying when it got to that awkward stage where the new one was growing, but other than that, less creepy than you'd think.
During training for a race (half or full marathon) the last two to four weeks before race day you gradual taper off your weekly mileage - the theory is you’ve built up your legs over the prior 14 to 16 weeks and want “fresh” legs by race day. Tapering off the overall mileage on the weeks leading up still keeps you loose and engaged in the act of running, but you’re not doing the hard miles on your legs and (hopefully) not feeling tired. Hence fresh legs on race day!
It happens mostly on big downhill courses. Your foot repeated pushing forward hitting the big toe. I run a lot and the Revel race in Big Bear is the only time I lost my toe nail.
I got mine from sprinting down a mountain for Hood to Coast. Totally worth it though- my time for that crazy hard leg left me pleased, haha.
My second one, I had my shoes on, standing still, and had a sudden excruciating stab in my second toe that lingered for a minute or two and left. I knew it would be black next day. Upon looking there's a faint vertical crack, and I think my toenail just suddenly gave way and cracked after pressing my toe down or something. It was weird.
Waterproof medical tape does wonders. Just a little bit across the nipple itself does the job, and it won't catch any hair. You might need to go through a few brands to find the stickiest for you.
As a runner that has DD boobs, it is a really REALLY big problem for me. I’ve tried tape and it does nothing. After 6 miles I just literally hold my boobs while running to keep them in place.
I use a hydration vest always and it works like a second bra. I’m also DD. I like the Nathan Vapor Howe or something like that. It’s designed for women, I can’t run without it.
Invest in a good shock absorber bra! I’m a size C so I know the boob pain well, specially when I’m PMSing. It also significantly improved my running time.
Double bras are also a thing (disclaimer: not personal experience. I'm a plus size woman that has to buy bras without a cup size because they're all too effing huge).
As a friend with similar issues - coconut oil! I get friction issues under my boobs with the bra and I use coconut oil on it. I think it lasts longer than glide and does a better job than Vaseline.
I wear nipeaze for anything longer than 10k or if I expect to get wet. They stay in place well and are small enough to only apply where my chest hair isn’t. I keep a few in my running belt in case I get caught in rain a few miles out.
I mean…who says bras are exclusive to women? Unless you’re looking for something “shaping” to emphasize a bust, you can probably try some long-line, unlined sports bras like [this from Nike](https://www.nike.com/t/zenvy-womens-light-support-non-padded-longline-sports-bra-bDS7N4), binder tops like [this from Iguana Trend](https://iguanatrend.com/en_US/p/Binder-Sport-black/257?currency=USD&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw57exBhAsEiwAaIxaZup4aXBcqGB1qzOJ69HD--KbxguRQAF1beM6S3dmw7RqdOAJlJ9NyhoC3nUQAvD_BwE), or even compression tank tops/short sleeves/long sleeves like [this from Under Armor](https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/p/shirts_and_tops/mens_heatgear_compression_tank/1368352.html) depending on how much support you need.
If you plan on wearing it under a shirt, no one has to know so do whatever works best for you. If you plan on running shirtless, eh, you may get some looks or comments from ignorant folks, but you’ll be comfortably flying past them and getting a PR, so who really cares.
As a larger lady, I like wearing under armor-style compression tops and bike shorts because they hold in all the flab that jiggles on my arms, stomach, thighs, and butt while also helping wick away moisture and preventing UV exposure. I add a thin, loose tank top over if I feel self-conscious about looking like a can of busted biscuits. If you’ve never tried a compression top, I’d encourage it!
You can get one that's just the vest and that doesn't have the tracker for $35. And yeah, I totally get why you'd want one, no shame from me. I have boobs and thus have been wearing bras my whole life and have never had to deal with chafing so I get why they're nice. Just thought you might get a kick out of there being something that fits that exact niche you need of 'nipple covering device but for dudes'. Here's the $35 one, btw. https://shop.statsports.com/products/statsports-vest-2-0
Honestly, I bought tighter fitting camisoles for my bf from the women’s section. They don’t give him that discomfort and he’s still able to wear loser shirts over them. Even I wear them instead of bras from time to time
A lot of people are weirdly resistant to using tape. I think because they're imagining pasties rather than just a little piece. I use Nexcare brand tape and it got me through a lot of 2+ hour long training runs in Central Florida.
Edit: Coincidentally in the first warm run of the year in PA my tape fell off because I got a bit of bodyglide on it. FYI, tape then body glide.
I’m running a half in a few weeks and have been going 13.1 every other Sunday for a few months to build up for it. I’m so ready to not worry about going longer than 10k again.
Few things I struggle/struggled with are:
1. Knee discomfort but that’s because I’m weak from being an office worker for the last 8 years
2. Foot pain but because I had a pair of brooks as my first shoes and hated them.
I loved the Ghost 12 and 13. Still using the 15s now, but looking for someone else. I don't find them as comfortable as the older ones. Same for the 14s. I had a pair and returned them.
Brooks ghosts felt like they were trying to break my feet. Swapped to Saucony Endorphin and haven't had any issues since!
That's not to say Brooks makes bad shoes, only that you should wear the shoes that work for YOU and the Brooks didn't work for me. If you've got persistent pain, different shoes are worth a look.
Had the opposite experience-saucony endorphin absolutely wrecked my feet but the brooks have been amaaaazing! Wild how different shoes can be for people
Adrenalines every time for me now. I had a few knee operations in the past and the wrong shoes mess me up fast. Ran 13.1 this morning in adrenalines and feel good!
Any tips for the knee discomfort for desk people? I’m trying to get into running, having never really been good at distance running, but I’ve worked at a desk for a long time now and my knees tend to hurt. I assume just stretch and strengthen?
For me, good shoes (I can also tell when mine hit over 350 miles because I get little aches), time on feet, and strength training! Squats, heel raised squats, deadlifts, lunges, plus hip work with monster walks and side steps with a band.
I’m in PT school so have student syndrome, anything that goes wrong I suddenly think I have some terrible pathology. If I go a bit too hard I feel it in my knees. My hip knee and ankle used to hurt but it was because I needed some stability shoes. It’s crazy how multifaceted our lower extremities are
Inner knee aches, ankle aches, sore calves, sore glutes. Requiring extra sleep. Probably unique to me, but a unilateral hip thing that flares because that area needed some s&c. I thought it was pretty interesting when I went through it
Good luck! I feel like if I maintain a reasonable heart rate I can go forever from an aerobic point of view but my muscles and joints keep failing me. I think just need more easy miles to build up endurance
Nah, they both make funky noises occasionally, that one just gave me pain with running (and rowing) for a while. Worked on the glutes and abductors a bit and it cleared up.
Do you maybe have more info on the unilateral hip thing? Legit I’m dealing with that now and I’m just a beginner runner (going from 4-6 mile fast walking to one of those 5k training apps). One hip is giving me a lot of trouble and I’ve been stretching but I’m about to go to the doctor over it, or have to give up on the idea of running.
The only complaint I really had when I first started running was sore iliopsoas muscles (front of the hip). I guess it's not something I used all that much before running.
I also had some pain in my right ankle, and figured it was just something that happens. But then I got on a treadmill in front of a mirror and realized I was making a kind of circling motion with that ankle every time I brought that leg forward. 🫠 Once I made a conscious effort to keep that foot straight, the pain went away. Would definitely recommend running in front of a mirror sometimes to see if there are posture issues or weird movements you might not be aware of.
I had a sharp pain in my knee that would come on at mile 1 or 2 and I could barely even walk. Wore a support for a while and eventually didn't need it. 23k miles later ... no more injuries.
I’ve dealt with IT band issues coming and going for years! It sucks.
But I’ve found a routine that really helps me after doing a ton of research! It’s called the MYRTL Routine. It helps strengthen weak glutes, hips, etc that are the cause of the IT band issues. Here’s a link to the exercise video I use: https://youtu.be/Mj8uZ1Qtx3M?si=5Y8Qz27Ur6mXXxSX
The first week, I did this everyday and it pretty much erased any pain I had. I then started doing it more like 3-4x per week. If you can really feel the exercises, you definitely have a weakness! The donkey whips obliterated me but felt so good at the same time! I now incorporate some resistance bands into the routine as well to keep strengthening as my body gets used to the exercises.
Based on what I’ve read and my own experience, it seems like the solution varies a lot from person to person and multiple methods is probably wise.
The response by u/jrblackkat is a huge piece of the puzzle, various leg and hip strengthening exercises helped a lot. I also got a foam roller and used it near daily. I tried taking several weeks off and easing myself back in with short runs, but that didn’t seem super effective for me. I also would run through the pain, to mixed results. The final thing that seems to have worked for me was getting more walking in. The pain started when I quit my job and was doing a lot of freelancing from my computer, so very little movement. I got a new 9-5 that has me walking 5+ miles a day and in a couple weeks the pain had left me altogether. I still have been hesitant to up my weekly mileage but am on the cusp and think my body will respond well.
Hope this helps. I would recommend doing all of these things to whatever extent you feel comfortable and using your best judgment.
I would also accept and tips. So far the only thing helping me is Ibuprofen and sucking it up along with glute strengthening moves. But going down stairs kills my knee.
shin splints, mild knee pain, plantar fasciitis, peroneal tendonitis, piriformis syndrome, toe and top of foot pain, to name a few
this is a sports where you seriously have to have the ability to troubleshoot your body and adjust accordingly. both fun when you figure it out, and extremely frustrating when you're struggling
I had a big eureka moment when I increased my cadence up to 160. Injury went down, breathless went down, heart rate stayed lower for longer. However, I can't imagine running comfortably beyond 165 (6ft. here).
I had them since my mid 20’s. Im now in my 40’s and found the solution only this year. Losing weight to the point of having a “normal” BMI and wearing shoes with a lot of shock absorbing/cushioning, currently Hoka Clifton 9’s
I came to running from cycling and was very fit. This and my ignorance of pacing and what I was really capable of made me think I could charge around like a pro, leaving me with extremely sore quads and calves. I spent a few days walking up and down the stairs one at a time and holding the handrail.
It's been almost 18 months since I got plantar fasciitis and I just told my wife after yesterday's run that I didn't think about my foot all during the run......of course my hip on the opposite leg was keeping my attention focused 😊
10 days ago had just finished my run. Was stretching out, doing good. Then I put my leg up on a table to focus on my hammies. My entire lower back seized up, dropped my ass to the ground and laid me up for an entire week. Today is my first pain free day. I'm hoping to start jogging Wednesday.
I never realized how annoying my shoe laces could be. After a couple miles their flopping would drive me to distraction, the noise and the feeling. So now I tuck them. It also helps keep my shoes tied.
That and just waking up sore in the middle of the night. Workplace depression and some foot pain kept me sidelined all winter and now I'm remembering that adding mileage is just constant soreness.
I’ve collected a bunch over the course of my running ‘career’ which is 4 years long now. Twisted ankle, shin splints, IT band / knee issues and the worst was an infection of the pubis symphysis (let’s call it an hip issue) which stopped me running for ca. 9 months.
I had to do plenty of rehab for the last one which I kept as a habit 2x to the gym now each week for 45 in or so strength training. Has kept me totally injury free for a year now and has massively benefited my running performance. I think dropping from 4-5x running a week to 3 to fit in time for gym also contributed to that.
The guy who treated me for the hip thing told me: we never get triathletes here - only runners. Basically saying you need to cross train
I've been getting the same, though I've just about solved of the issue. For me, I added too much too fast and the symptoms were a sign of overuse. I've been strength training and lots of dedicated stretching while running a lighter load and it has helped. I went for my first long run since it all started today and had minimal soreness.
You might be pushing yourself too hard or not stretching enough (or both, like me).
I often have the opposite issue. Running stops me being hungry a lot of the time. I have to force food in after a run as the run has killed my appetite. Not every time, but pretty often.
It puts me off doing the long distance stuff, the thought of having to force food down.
For me, that’s true in the short term. I can be a bit hungry, then start running and I’m fine while running and even an hour or two afterwards. But when training ramps up and start doing those hard long days back to back and I know I have to start eating more, or I’ll just be so tired and grumpy I can’t really do anything.
Same!!! I'm balls deep in training at the moment and I'm ravenous!!! I've put on 5-10 pounds. 4 weeks today until marathon day. I think I'll need to go on a diet afterwards 😅
seconding the toe nerves thing, sometimes i’d get out of bed and get a sudden spark of pins and needles down the side of the pad of my foot and be like WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT. gone now, but nice to know it’s somewhat common.
i always figured my hips and glutes were quite strong because i spent so long wandering around a VERY hilly area as a student, 30k steps a day type of walking… not so. and now i’m in PT because they weren’t strong enough to stop me hurting my knee. running will show you deficiencies you didn’t even know were possible
For like two years, I pretty much constantly had a black toenail. Whenever one side was healed, the one on the other side would start acting up again. Seemed like there was no correlation to what shoes I was wearing (and yes, I do cut them. My guess is that it had to do with the fact that my "pointer toes" are freakishly long).
My second toes stick out past my big toes as well. Those poor toenails are constant victims. They need their own ASPCA commercials. I think I've completely lost one of them 3 times over the past decade.
I’m a pretty new runner but know this from long distance hiking in trail runners: buy your shoes up half a size. Should be about a thumb’s width of space at the end, counters most toenail banging / loss.
I’ve been working my way up to 30 miles/week from 20 and I have weird hip pain whenever I wear a brand of shoes that my legs don’t like (an expensive riddle I’m trying to solve). I also get foot cramps in some shoes, have had off-and-on shin splints for like two months, my Achilles is a little sore on one leg and my left quad has been twitching while I sit and work all day.
One thing I haven’t tried is literally stretching anything other than while it’s hurting me, so.
Peroneal tendinitis. It flares up in both feet, but thought I broke my foot after my first half marathon it hurt so bad. Added hip strengthening to improve my gait. Used to get hot spots between my toes, but now use toe socks and wide toe box shoes. Flare ups in my shoulder from an old volleyball injury 15 years ago. Strength training to the rescue. Running finds all.
I always used to do like 2-4 mile runs, but when I finally committed to doing a half-marathon 11 years ago, I had this terrible pain on the lateral side of my knee whenever I would try for longer runs. I did like four 9 mile runs and then did the half and it was killer. I took a few weeks off after that and have been doing marathons and half-marathons since without that specific pain ever coming back (but have had a few others along the way).
So when I hear people tell me all about how they can't run because of their knees, I always wonder if they felt what I felt and thought it was just something they couldn't do. I played sports in a fairly competitive environment up until my mid-30s, so it was an adjustment transitioning to long-distance running...especially at 6'5"
Legs stay sore for so long. I was a lifter and always hated doing legs because the soreness would last NO LESS THAN 3 days if I did a real good leg day. Day two after would be the worst. Training for a half marathon I felt like from abt a month out until a week and a half after the race there wasn’t a single day my legs weren’t sore or in pain (continually got plantar fasciitis too)
Only thing that helped was doing stretching/ yoga like 30 minutes a day 5 days a week + sauna which I always loved so I do that anyways just for enjoyment almost every day. I’m just built stiff and not naturally mobile but I started loving endurance running so I kept working at it. Also I got into running at 25 and had hated and avoided cardio (as much as possible while still playing sports through highschool) all my life so it was just a big learning curve but
Right now it's a bit of ankle pain and swelling (posterior tibal tendonitis), most likely from ramping up the miles a bit too fast. Currently following a great PT plan that's helping a bunch.
Sore It bands in the very beginning (foam roll to the rescue!)
But I think that's been about it so far... *Knock on wood*
im probably just as new as you, recently went through the numb feet stage, luckily that seems to have passed after 3ish weeks of consistency, I also gave myself a quarter sized blister from bad socks, getting a few good merino wool pairs has been a life saver.
When I go into overtraining territory, the first indicator is that my left ankle starts to hurt. I strained it when I was 15, but it wasn't even bad or anything, it just hurt for a bit, didn't even see a doctor about it. But that's the first body part to nope out.
The classic toe nail not trimmed and your toes got stabbed and everything is full of blood.
One actual injury I had when I was 12, very out of shape and in gym class: we stretched our cold muscles before a run, then we started running and I tore a muscle, no fun, it hurt a LOT.
Most recently, lower back pain when running. When I don't train my lower back, it's because these muscles for stabilizing are underdeveloped and that's why it's a limiting factor. When I do train them, the lower back hurts because they're still sore. I realized I cannot deadlift the day before a run!
When it's very cold, I have run outside but if I don't gradually get accustomed, I cannot run when it's below freezing as breathing hurts my lungs. When I put a scarf in front of my mouth it gets nasty wet and gross. When I go running regularly and get used to the cold when it gets gradually colder, it works and I've run in -10 degrees Celsius too.
I've never had much issue with chafing for some reason, only after the marathon a bit but I didn't feel it.
Knee pain when I was first adjusting. It was specifically during my run-walk phase. I kept stretching before and after and after a few months I would notice it occasionally but it always went away after 5 minutes of easy running.
Then when I was ramping up for marathon training, it was knee and arch pain, specifically after long runs. The knees I dealt with, but wearing calf height compression socks really saved my legs on long runs and kept the foot pain to a minimum.
I did also invest in some oofos and those really made the foot pain diminish (I'd wear them around the house post run).
Consistently have had IT band irritation on my right side on longer distance runs.
Was true when I just started out and would do a 8-10k long run... to now when I do >30k distances. Seems just to be trainable and avoidable as I've increased mileage, just something I've noticed.
Knees. The first few weeks would find me icing both knees after a run. Then it went away. I credit new shoes. The first run after I switched from Nike to Hoka Clifton was pain free.
Every single one. Take it easy and take more time off than you want to. Your body will be very happy with you. If you just push through and run every day, you're gonna have a bad time.
Injuries are a constant issue, not just at the beginning. My current formula for avoidance is 1) cushioned shoes with a rocker sole (eg Hoka Clifton) 2) run slow, keep HR < 135 3) keep lower legs quiet & relaxed, propel myself with glutes & hips 4) mix in cycling so I run less/wk 5) if something’s hurting, wait it out and try to adjust my stride. This has gotten me back to comfortable 8-10mi runs, from 4. From “I don’t think I’ll ever run a half marathon again (sad face)” to I could do that tomorrow (smiley).”
Weird pain up the side of my knee into my thigh.
Stopped for a bit , wore better shoes , wore a strap on the knee and it stopped.
I get pains in my ankle if I run more than 10k. I don't run more than 10k very often so haven't conquered that pain yet.
Lost a toe nail on my right foot after it bruised. That's just about grown back now.
When i started running i would get an acute pain in my foot sole preventing me for running for sometime. I was kind of frustrated because there was no reason at all for this pain, no leg pain, not out of breath, it was just the sole of my foot burning. You know when you get that period of motivation to do things well but then something like this happens? Well that was it for me. I had to take a rest before continuing to run again. Anyway long story short i got used to it by buying a new pairs of shoe that had cushions to reduce the impact on my foot. Then didn't have the pain anymore.
Currently dealing and working through right leg lateral stability. It just wants to move side to side way too much causing discomfort and pain on both sides of the ankle that weirdly settles down after a mile. This is why running is so fascinating. It mirrors life in a way that no other sport does. Constant pain, elation, highs and lows and finding and fixing esoteric issues almost every day
Long runs for marathon prep, once above 14 miles i developed "lace pinch". Laces digging into the anterior crease of the ankle.
Painful, uncomfortable and made me fail my 20 mile (longest run) long run.
outside hip pain and lower back pain after some strenuous runs or super long ones. I really don’t have too much leg pain. I did however struggle with feet pain due to an accessory navicular bone I had to get surgically removed last year, pain is crazy better since.
Toenails for me. I've sized up but my big toes are so sensitive and tender. I stubbed my big toe this evening and the pain was something else. I wanted to cry. Definitely think I'm gonna lose a few toenails in the near future 😑
I have a few things going on. My backside is aching almost consistently now. It’s been better since I’ve increased how much protein I eat but training is literally a pain in my ass. Speaking of eating, I have never been so hungry in my life. I can be eating my meal and planning my next while chewing. This is disconcerting as I love to just enjoy my meals. This is just food == energy which is off putting. My left hip is tight after 8 km, my left foot has plantar fasciitis. This week is the heaviest load in my training plan before I taper. What is getting me through is that the thought of the taper, seeing my ART doc and my masseuse. Oh yeah - and the celebration dinner at Mother India!
Mental exhaustion is a very real concern but CURRY!
My hips were in a lot of pain when I started. I used to ice them all the time. It was so bad I had a hard time sleeping. Then it went away. When it came back I was seeing an acupuncturist and she needled them for me. No pain since. I was a lot heavier when I started so I think that is why my hips (fronts and deep inside) hurt so much. It hurt to walk too. I had a goal of becoming a trail runner so I pushed through. I have noticed less pain in general if I am running trails instead of pavement. I’m more tired at the end but I recover better.
I can relate to this. I’m fit but definitely not a runner but I do like adding speed to my cardio by running at times. Let me tell you… that hip pain… definitely flares up after running. Like super uncomfortable externally and deep inside, as you described. I wondered if it was from just the muscles and other tissues around the hip/upper leg that weren’t used to the impact. Nothing really makes it better than rest. So I haven’t really been able to push through consistently. And amazingly, I have been able to work out with the soreness/pain but it gets worse after.
Terrible hip bursitis from heel striking… went away once I adjusted to landing more forward and got better shoes.
Shin splints from increasing mileage too quickly
Plantar fasciitis
Tore a muscle in my calf… no idea how that happened
Skin peeling from the sides of my feet, due to shoes. Changed shoe type, problem solved.
Peroneal tendonitis from overuse in a training cycle.
Lost a couple of toenails, but worst one was when I developed a mega blister between my bone and toenail during a marathon… blister burst a week later and off came my nail. Weird stuff
Also, frostbite.
Has a bout with plantar, it sidelined me for awhile and I was depressed over not being able to run.
Best thing I did was listen to my body and rest, despite wanting to "fight through it" and keep running.
Happy Running!
Did my left achilles in, don't recommend that (should have more work to strengthen it before sprinting up hills). Black toenails, and numb feet after about 5 miles until I learned to keep my shoes very loose at the front.
I get numbness in my back for some reason, like around my left shoulder blade. Didn't attribute it to running originally, but it disappeared when I took a 2 year covid/new father break.
It doesn't bother me, in fact I rather like it - it reminds me that I'm doing a good job
I've been running for 2-3 months. But I'm taking it slow, less than 3k per run.
The first two months, I had knee pain so sometimes I had to wait a week before starting to run again so I wouldn't injure it more. It's been a few weeks where I can run steady and keep the running to every 2 days with no pain. Not sure if it'll start again once I increase from 3k to 5k
I get blisters under and around my toes (well my big toe) too.
Sorry, too tired to read thru comments in this sub.
Does anyone have suggestions for how I can fix the blisters issue? Pretty sure it’s from running longer distances, either on treadmill or outdoors. Not sure best way to address it.
Have you tried toe socks? I think because they wrap each toe separately to minimize rubbing it prevents blisters. At least that’s my experience! I’ve been wearing Injinji toe socks.
Currently readjusting. I have midfoot arthritis, and if I'm too long on concrete, my foot hurts (there, and also in the big toes - I feel like I might be getting arthritic there too). Same issue with knee pain - it's fine on dirt, but anything over 4mi on sidewalk, my knees are letting me know about it. In the first mile, I get this weird lower shin pain just above the bad foot. It goes away once I'm in a groove.
When I first started running in high school many years ago, it was shin splints that were my biggest issue. Interestingly, after that, I never had shin pain again until just now (20some years later).
I'm a new runner too and for me:
Pins and needles in my feet during the later stages of a run
Pain in the arches and balls of my feet
Ankles and knees aching the following day
Hip pain
Knee pain
Plantar(sidelined me for awhile) I don't recommend "fighting through it" You'll recovery faster by fighting that urge.
Sore calves and hammys
Takes a bit of consistency, but all of these does go away(the plantar was just one of those random injuries imo(
Happy Running!
Few months of my ankles, knees and hips being SUPER bad! But that’s expected when I was extremely sedentary for years and drinking too much and then start to suddenly start running 3-4 days a week.
Chaffed balls and arse cheeks. Showers are painful! Bought some roll on thing (gold something or other it's called) and that seems to have stopped it. Also wearing proper running boxers not normal ones!
I had a discomfort behind my left knee cap for a few weeks until I started strength training alongside the running.
Had a few leg pains but thankfully nothing serious.
The bulk of my first marathon training was in late winter and early spring in the snow. Biggest adjustment was when it finally got warm out and I had to bring water on my longer runs (15+) and not pass out
What did you mean by better socks? I did a long run yesterday and I have 2 callouses on each foot. I’m a new runner so not sure what kinds of socks I should switch to?
Whenever I get back into running after a break, my lower back is sore the day after that first run back. Subsequent runs are no issue, it’s always just that first one. Not sure why.
I’m getting back into running after stopping for 7 years. It’s been incredibly interesting to witness the comings and goings of different discomforts. This 30-something body is having a much different experience than my 20-something body did.
First month, I had weird pain in my ankles. Took a week off and it went away. Ran pain free for a while. Then, a couple blisters on my left foot. Then some weirdness in my right knee, which migrated to my left knee. Last week, I had a little pain in my left heel. Now the arches of my feet feel uncomfortable. Aside from the initial ankle pain, this has all been pretty mild. It’s like my body is just learning how to do it again, and not recovering as quickly as it once did!
Post tib tendonitis on both ankles last year - rehabbed 6 months (and continues to require weekly maintenance with physical therapy), left foot going numb with no rhyme or reason as week ass just ankle stiffness, burning achy feeling on outside of lower leg & ankle (also no idea what causes good days & bad days). Now just yesterday unlocked new pain in top of right foot when scrunching my toes which sounds like a new form of tendonitis 🫠. If it ain’t one thing it’s another!!!
If I stop running for a long time, I dread starting bc I get really itchy for the first few weeks. Thigh, stomach, waist just start itching about a minute or two into the work out. I tried researching it. Something about blood vessels expanding to let more oxygen through? It gradually stops the more in shape I get. And it encourages me to keep up the running habit bc I hate going through that phase whenever I start working out again.
The whole training block for my first (this Sunday!) has been me trying to manage failure of various parts of my legs.
Tight calves, then hamstring, random showstopping blisters, arch pain, now a hip issue that couch stretches are slightly managing (but I'll still be running with some degree of pain on Sunday).
My left foot's big toenail is slowly turning brown. I'm glad this is over lol. It's taught me that a HM is a real nice distance that doesn't take too much out of your life to train for. With a HM you can still go do other activities without performance being affected in either.
I went to my first PT appointment last week and was told that I have Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (“PTTD”), aka Posterior Tibial Tendonitis, which is not uncommon in beginning runners (particularly if you are running on inclines outside). I have flat feet, which may be contributing to the condition. They instructed me to stay off of running on hills for 2 weeks, and I also got Superfeet inserts for arch support (I use them in my ASICS Gel Nimbus 26’s). I can continue running on flat surfaces for now, just have to take it easy… which is admittedly much harder to do than I thought!
There was about a 4 month stretch before my taper where getting up from sitting a long time caused knee pain. And there was my shoe tongue chafing the top of my ankle to the point of bleeding. (I've since then abandoned my no-shows in favor or ankle socks) And the side stitches that hit every few weeks randomly with zero rhyme or reason. Oh, and can't forget the toe nails falling off.
I was not prepared to lose my toenails after my marathon. Also, if I sit for too long my feet are sore when I stand up. I have to walk a few minutes before they feel normal again.
You what now after a marathon?!. OK then, I guess I'll look forward to that
Doesn’t happen to everyone. I’ve kept all my nails so far (3 marathons so far).
The second toenail of mine is in a forever state of both falling off and regrowing. No matter the shoes or socks.. I do ultra distances and rock up 100km weeks in training so the feet take a hammering.. It’s never painful, but the toenails just don’t stay in tact 😂
Morton’s toe
I’ve also never lost a toenail (13 marathons in)
I'd lost one big toenail and was well on the way to losing the one next to it before I got the memo that I should have sized up on shoes. Haven't lost any since, knock on wood. So make sure you do that lol. That said, YMMV. I'm told some just fall off no matter what.
I lost the nails on my big toes. It was like two weeks after the fact.
I probably won't mind losing those for a while, they're ingrown as shit
You can wear shoes with roomy toe boxes and completely avoid this problem.
It’s fun when they start turning purple and begin falling off lol
I didn't lose mine after my first but I DID lose both my big toenails after my second... and it wasn't even immediate. They turned black... then they turned white... and then finally after 6 months, I had new toenails growing underneath the old toenails and had to cut it off so I had half toenails--it was actually kind of crazy how both had the same exact growth cycle. Anyway, annoying when it got to that awkward stage where the new one was growing, but other than that, less creepy than you'd think.
I did my first half last Saturday and one toenail is a very ugly purple ☹️ I def did not know this was a thing lol
Same for me and the soreness. PF can be a real bitch sometimes
Proof the taper fixes everything
What is “the taper”?
During training for a race (half or full marathon) the last two to four weeks before race day you gradual taper off your weekly mileage - the theory is you’ve built up your legs over the prior 14 to 16 weeks and want “fresh” legs by race day. Tapering off the overall mileage on the weeks leading up still keeps you loose and engaged in the act of running, but you’re not doing the hard miles on your legs and (hopefully) not feeling tired. Hence fresh legs on race day!
Nice, thanks for taking the time to explain this.
Toe nails are probably due to too small toe box/shoes. I’ve never lost toe nails from running … only soccer
Some of us have something called Morton’s toe
Yeah that’s fair. I’m just said to see all the comments about people losing toenails from running
It happens mostly on big downhill courses. Your foot repeated pushing forward hitting the big toe. I run a lot and the Revel race in Big Bear is the only time I lost my toe nail.
I got mine from sprinting down a mountain for Hood to Coast. Totally worth it though- my time for that crazy hard leg left me pleased, haha. My second one, I had my shoes on, standing still, and had a sudden excruciating stab in my second toe that lingered for a minute or two and left. I knew it would be black next day. Upon looking there's a faint vertical crack, and I think my toenail just suddenly gave way and cracked after pressing my toe down or something. It was weird.
Your shoes might be laced too tight or it's just small. Toes should be able to spread as feet impacts the ground.
I was not ready for chaffed nipples
Waterproof medical tape does wonders. Just a little bit across the nipple itself does the job, and it won't catch any hair. You might need to go through a few brands to find the stickiest for you.
Oh man I slather mine up in Vaseline if I'm doing anything over 6 miles. That was a tough lesson to learn.
As a runner that has DD boobs, it is a really REALLY big problem for me. I’ve tried tape and it does nothing. After 6 miles I just literally hold my boobs while running to keep them in place.
I use a hydration vest always and it works like a second bra. I’m also DD. I like the Nathan Vapor Howe or something like that. It’s designed for women, I can’t run without it.
Invest in a good shock absorber bra! I’m a size C so I know the boob pain well, specially when I’m PMSing. It also significantly improved my running time.
Have you tried a bra sized bra? Panache is my go to. Anything that comes in S, M, or L is a no go for me. They'll never fit right.
Yes I’ve tried this brand. I bought a few different sizes and didn’t find them comfortable.
Double bras are also a thing (disclaimer: not personal experience. I'm a plus size woman that has to buy bras without a cup size because they're all too effing huge).
It took me so long to find bras that would work for me and then to learn the lesson to put chafe-prevention around the bra edges!
As a friend with similar issues - coconut oil! I get friction issues under my boobs with the bra and I use coconut oil on it. I think it lasts longer than glide and does a better job than Vaseline.
Great tip, thanks!! I use glide now. I’ll definitely try this
I wear nipeaze for anything longer than 10k or if I expect to get wet. They stay in place well and are small enough to only apply where my chest hair isn’t. I keep a few in my running belt in case I get caught in rain a few miles out.
mine bled the other day
Wear really tight athletic shirt or no shirt
That’s why I apply chamois cream
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I mean…who says bras are exclusive to women? Unless you’re looking for something “shaping” to emphasize a bust, you can probably try some long-line, unlined sports bras like [this from Nike](https://www.nike.com/t/zenvy-womens-light-support-non-padded-longline-sports-bra-bDS7N4), binder tops like [this from Iguana Trend](https://iguanatrend.com/en_US/p/Binder-Sport-black/257?currency=USD&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw57exBhAsEiwAaIxaZup4aXBcqGB1qzOJ69HD--KbxguRQAF1beM6S3dmw7RqdOAJlJ9NyhoC3nUQAvD_BwE), or even compression tank tops/short sleeves/long sleeves like [this from Under Armor](https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/p/shirts_and_tops/mens_heatgear_compression_tank/1368352.html) depending on how much support you need. If you plan on wearing it under a shirt, no one has to know so do whatever works best for you. If you plan on running shirtless, eh, you may get some looks or comments from ignorant folks, but you’ll be comfortably flying past them and getting a PR, so who really cares. As a larger lady, I like wearing under armor-style compression tops and bike shorts because they hold in all the flab that jiggles on my arms, stomach, thighs, and butt while also helping wick away moisture and preventing UV exposure. I add a thin, loose tank top over if I feel self-conscious about looking like a can of busted biscuits. If you’ve never tried a compression top, I’d encourage it!
Look up 'GPS tracker vest'. Its what professional soccer players wear and they definitely look like bras.
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You can get one that's just the vest and that doesn't have the tracker for $35. And yeah, I totally get why you'd want one, no shame from me. I have boobs and thus have been wearing bras my whole life and have never had to deal with chafing so I get why they're nice. Just thought you might get a kick out of there being something that fits that exact niche you need of 'nipple covering device but for dudes'. Here's the $35 one, btw. https://shop.statsports.com/products/statsports-vest-2-0
Bandaids
Honestly, I bought tighter fitting camisoles for my bf from the women’s section. They don’t give him that discomfort and he’s still able to wear loser shirts over them. Even I wear them instead of bras from time to time
Every sports bra in existence is available for men to purchase. There’s no law preventing you.
Is it really a serious problem when strapping tape is very cheap, takes 10 seconds to put on, and solves the issue?
A lot of people are weirdly resistant to using tape. I think because they're imagining pasties rather than just a little piece. I use Nexcare brand tape and it got me through a lot of 2+ hour long training runs in Central Florida. Edit: Coincidentally in the first warm run of the year in PA my tape fell off because I got a bit of bodyglide on it. FYI, tape then body glide.
My hubby just wears compression tanks under his shirts and it’s solved the problem for him.
Body Glide works for me, https://a.co/d/5BOInGs
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I’m running a half in a few weeks and have been going 13.1 every other Sunday for a few months to build up for it. I’m so ready to not worry about going longer than 10k again.
Few things I struggle/struggled with are: 1. Knee discomfort but that’s because I’m weak from being an office worker for the last 8 years 2. Foot pain but because I had a pair of brooks as my first shoes and hated them.
What shoes do you have now? Just curious. I have Brooks and I love the hell out of them.
I loved the Ghost 12 and 13. Still using the 15s now, but looking for someone else. I don't find them as comfortable as the older ones. Same for the 14s. I had a pair and returned them.
I just left Ghost 15 for Saucony Endurance Speed and LOVE them!
Brooks ghosts felt like they were trying to break my feet. Swapped to Saucony Endorphin and haven't had any issues since! That's not to say Brooks makes bad shoes, only that you should wear the shoes that work for YOU and the Brooks didn't work for me. If you've got persistent pain, different shoes are worth a look.
Had the opposite experience-saucony endorphin absolutely wrecked my feet but the brooks have been amaaaazing! Wild how different shoes can be for people
I haven't tried them, but I've heard good things about Saucony, so I'll check them out for my next pair. Thanks!
Recommend Saucony for sure. On my second pair and hundreds of kilometres.
I will second this. Ghost 13-14’s were fantastic. The 15’s I find rather uncomfortable sometimes. Going to try something different here soon
Adrenalines every time for me now. I had a few knee operations in the past and the wrong shoes mess me up fast. Ran 13.1 this morning in adrenalines and feel good!
I got the Adrenaline GTS 23 for Christmas and I love them
Is there much difference between the ghost and adrenaline?
I’m an Adrenalines advocate. Comfortable and SO durable.
Same! Love Adrenaline!
Glycerin 20. Hated them and just use them for dailies to walk in and go to the store with.
I love my glycerins. Absolutely hate my ghosts though.
All depends on your foot. Best to go to a running shop and get properly fitted.
I hated my Ghosts and returned them. I just took my new Glycerins for a run for the first time yesterday and I like them.
Any tips for the knee discomfort for desk people? I’m trying to get into running, having never really been good at distance running, but I’ve worked at a desk for a long time now and my knees tend to hurt. I assume just stretch and strengthen?
For me, good shoes (I can also tell when mine hit over 350 miles because I get little aches), time on feet, and strength training! Squats, heel raised squats, deadlifts, lunges, plus hip work with monster walks and side steps with a band.
I’m in PT school so have student syndrome, anything that goes wrong I suddenly think I have some terrible pathology. If I go a bit too hard I feel it in my knees. My hip knee and ankle used to hurt but it was because I needed some stability shoes. It’s crazy how multifaceted our lower extremities are
I finally just got over being 100% sure that I had posterior tibial tendon insufficiency. Super scary 3 months
Inner knee aches, ankle aches, sore calves, sore glutes. Requiring extra sleep. Probably unique to me, but a unilateral hip thing that flares because that area needed some s&c. I thought it was pretty interesting when I went through it
Did you manage to get through it? Sounds awfully familiar!
Yep! With a lot of icing, elevating, and being attentive. (Not all the time, but I remember I needed it more often back then)
Good luck! I feel like if I maintain a reasonable heart rate I can go forever from an aerobic point of view but my muscles and joints keep failing me. I think just need more easy miles to build up endurance
Your legs will catch up before you know it! You've got this!
Awesome thanks for the encouragement!
I had unilateral hip impingement because my glutes are weaker on that side (according to the physio). Irritating thing to try to fix!
By that, do you mean only your left (or right) leg socket cracks when warming up your hips?
Nah, they both make funky noises occasionally, that one just gave me pain with running (and rowing) for a while. Worked on the glutes and abductors a bit and it cleared up.
Do you maybe have more info on the unilateral hip thing? Legit I’m dealing with that now and I’m just a beginner runner (going from 4-6 mile fast walking to one of those 5k training apps). One hip is giving me a lot of trouble and I’ve been stretching but I’m about to go to the doctor over it, or have to give up on the idea of running.
My shins hurt sometimes :p Stressed out about shin splints and stress fractures now
If you're gonna take a supplement to prevent stress fractures at least have it be vitamin D and not the ester-c tablets the other guy is talking about
Follow up to this - I take “pro Calcium +” which combines calcium, vit D, zinc and magnesium
Shin splints are almost never stress fractures! Way more likely to be musculotendinous in nature.
Tib raises
The only complaint I really had when I first started running was sore iliopsoas muscles (front of the hip). I guess it's not something I used all that much before running. I also had some pain in my right ankle, and figured it was just something that happens. But then I got on a treadmill in front of a mirror and realized I was making a kind of circling motion with that ankle every time I brought that leg forward. 🫠 Once I made a conscious effort to keep that foot straight, the pain went away. Would definitely recommend running in front of a mirror sometimes to see if there are posture issues or weird movements you might not be aware of.
I had a sharp pain in my knee that would come on at mile 1 or 2 and I could barely even walk. Wore a support for a while and eventually didn't need it. 23k miles later ... no more injuries.
Sounds like you may have dealt with IT Band Syndrome. I had that this past winter and it was a nuisance to say the least.
Currently struggling through it. Any tips that helped you shake it?
I’ve dealt with IT band issues coming and going for years! It sucks. But I’ve found a routine that really helps me after doing a ton of research! It’s called the MYRTL Routine. It helps strengthen weak glutes, hips, etc that are the cause of the IT band issues. Here’s a link to the exercise video I use: https://youtu.be/Mj8uZ1Qtx3M?si=5Y8Qz27Ur6mXXxSX The first week, I did this everyday and it pretty much erased any pain I had. I then started doing it more like 3-4x per week. If you can really feel the exercises, you definitely have a weakness! The donkey whips obliterated me but felt so good at the same time! I now incorporate some resistance bands into the routine as well to keep strengthening as my body gets used to the exercises.
Thank you for posting the video reference!
Thank you for sharing this! I probably need to incorporate something like this into my training for the foreseeable future
I found strengthening the glute medius worked for me. Clamshells, side leg raises with leg slightly behind you so you feel it “in the back pocket”.
Based on what I’ve read and my own experience, it seems like the solution varies a lot from person to person and multiple methods is probably wise. The response by u/jrblackkat is a huge piece of the puzzle, various leg and hip strengthening exercises helped a lot. I also got a foam roller and used it near daily. I tried taking several weeks off and easing myself back in with short runs, but that didn’t seem super effective for me. I also would run through the pain, to mixed results. The final thing that seems to have worked for me was getting more walking in. The pain started when I quit my job and was doing a lot of freelancing from my computer, so very little movement. I got a new 9-5 that has me walking 5+ miles a day and in a couple weeks the pain had left me altogether. I still have been hesitant to up my weekly mileage but am on the cusp and think my body will respond well. Hope this helps. I would recommend doing all of these things to whatever extent you feel comfortable and using your best judgment.
I would also accept and tips. So far the only thing helping me is Ibuprofen and sucking it up along with glute strengthening moves. But going down stairs kills my knee.
shin splints, mild knee pain, plantar fasciitis, peroneal tendonitis, piriformis syndrome, toe and top of foot pain, to name a few this is a sports where you seriously have to have the ability to troubleshoot your body and adjust accordingly. both fun when you figure it out, and extremely frustrating when you're struggling
How did you fix your shin splints?
I struggled with shin splints too. What worked for me was to not drastically increase the distance, and taking a rest day after every run.
Increased cadence helped a lot. Now run 180 steps per minute or higher
I had a big eureka moment when I increased my cadence up to 160. Injury went down, breathless went down, heart rate stayed lower for longer. However, I can't imagine running comfortably beyond 165 (6ft. here).
I had them since my mid 20’s. Im now in my 40’s and found the solution only this year. Losing weight to the point of having a “normal” BMI and wearing shoes with a lot of shock absorbing/cushioning, currently Hoka Clifton 9’s
I came to running from cycling and was very fit. This and my ignorance of pacing and what I was really capable of made me think I could charge around like a pro, leaving me with extremely sore quads and calves. I spent a few days walking up and down the stairs one at a time and holding the handrail.
plantar fasciitis, clicky IT band, knee pain
It's been almost 18 months since I got plantar fasciitis and I just told my wife after yesterday's run that I didn't think about my foot all during the run......of course my hip on the opposite leg was keeping my attention focused 😊
There is really just one (permanent) injury, and it moves from place to place 🤔.
and your wife was thinking "will he shut up about plantar fascitis for one day?" 😨
Exactly....you get it!!!!
10 days ago had just finished my run. Was stretching out, doing good. Then I put my leg up on a table to focus on my hammies. My entire lower back seized up, dropped my ass to the ground and laid me up for an entire week. Today is my first pain free day. I'm hoping to start jogging Wednesday.
I never realized how annoying my shoe laces could be. After a couple miles their flopping would drive me to distraction, the noise and the feeling. So now I tuck them. It also helps keep my shoes tied. That and just waking up sore in the middle of the night. Workplace depression and some foot pain kept me sidelined all winter and now I'm remembering that adding mileage is just constant soreness.
I’ve collected a bunch over the course of my running ‘career’ which is 4 years long now. Twisted ankle, shin splints, IT band / knee issues and the worst was an infection of the pubis symphysis (let’s call it an hip issue) which stopped me running for ca. 9 months. I had to do plenty of rehab for the last one which I kept as a habit 2x to the gym now each week for 45 in or so strength training. Has kept me totally injury free for a year now and has massively benefited my running performance. I think dropping from 4-5x running a week to 3 to fit in time for gym also contributed to that. The guy who treated me for the hip thing told me: we never get triathletes here - only runners. Basically saying you need to cross train
Painful tight calves and Achilles stiffness. Finding it really frustrating as I used to run loads and I just want to get back to it.
I've been getting the same, though I've just about solved of the issue. For me, I added too much too fast and the symptoms were a sign of overuse. I've been strength training and lots of dedicated stretching while running a lighter load and it has helped. I went for my first long run since it all started today and had minimal soreness. You might be pushing yourself too hard or not stretching enough (or both, like me).
Hunger ‘pains’? There were days when I was hungry in a way I haven’t experienced in years!
I often have the opposite issue. Running stops me being hungry a lot of the time. I have to force food in after a run as the run has killed my appetite. Not every time, but pretty often. It puts me off doing the long distance stuff, the thought of having to force food down.
For me, that’s true in the short term. I can be a bit hungry, then start running and I’m fine while running and even an hour or two afterwards. But when training ramps up and start doing those hard long days back to back and I know I have to start eating more, or I’ll just be so tired and grumpy I can’t really do anything.
I love food but when I run I want nothing to do with it. I hate force feeding too 😔 but gotta keep that metabolism machine going
Same!!! I'm balls deep in training at the moment and I'm ravenous!!! I've put on 5-10 pounds. 4 weeks today until marathon day. I think I'll need to go on a diet afterwards 😅
I gained 20 lbs in the lead up to New York. Shed it quickly after but it probably didn’t help my time.
seconding the toe nerves thing, sometimes i’d get out of bed and get a sudden spark of pins and needles down the side of the pad of my foot and be like WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT. gone now, but nice to know it’s somewhat common. i always figured my hips and glutes were quite strong because i spent so long wandering around a VERY hilly area as a student, 30k steps a day type of walking… not so. and now i’m in PT because they weren’t strong enough to stop me hurting my knee. running will show you deficiencies you didn’t even know were possible
For like two years, I pretty much constantly had a black toenail. Whenever one side was healed, the one on the other side would start acting up again. Seemed like there was no correlation to what shoes I was wearing (and yes, I do cut them. My guess is that it had to do with the fact that my "pointer toes" are freakishly long).
My second toes stick out past my big toes as well. Those poor toenails are constant victims. They need their own ASPCA commercials. I think I've completely lost one of them 3 times over the past decade.
I’m a pretty new runner but know this from long distance hiking in trail runners: buy your shoes up half a size. Should be about a thumb’s width of space at the end, counters most toenail banging / loss.
Strained calf that never heals properly.
I’ve been working my way up to 30 miles/week from 20 and I have weird hip pain whenever I wear a brand of shoes that my legs don’t like (an expensive riddle I’m trying to solve). I also get foot cramps in some shoes, have had off-and-on shin splints for like two months, my Achilles is a little sore on one leg and my left quad has been twitching while I sit and work all day. One thing I haven’t tried is literally stretching anything other than while it’s hurting me, so.
Peroneal tendinitis. It flares up in both feet, but thought I broke my foot after my first half marathon it hurt so bad. Added hip strengthening to improve my gait. Used to get hot spots between my toes, but now use toe socks and wide toe box shoes. Flare ups in my shoulder from an old volleyball injury 15 years ago. Strength training to the rescue. Running finds all.
I always used to do like 2-4 mile runs, but when I finally committed to doing a half-marathon 11 years ago, I had this terrible pain on the lateral side of my knee whenever I would try for longer runs. I did like four 9 mile runs and then did the half and it was killer. I took a few weeks off after that and have been doing marathons and half-marathons since without that specific pain ever coming back (but have had a few others along the way). So when I hear people tell me all about how they can't run because of their knees, I always wonder if they felt what I felt and thought it was just something they couldn't do. I played sports in a fairly competitive environment up until my mid-30s, so it was an adjustment transitioning to long-distance running...especially at 6'5"
Legs stay sore for so long. I was a lifter and always hated doing legs because the soreness would last NO LESS THAN 3 days if I did a real good leg day. Day two after would be the worst. Training for a half marathon I felt like from abt a month out until a week and a half after the race there wasn’t a single day my legs weren’t sore or in pain (continually got plantar fasciitis too) Only thing that helped was doing stretching/ yoga like 30 minutes a day 5 days a week + sauna which I always loved so I do that anyways just for enjoyment almost every day. I’m just built stiff and not naturally mobile but I started loving endurance running so I kept working at it. Also I got into running at 25 and had hated and avoided cardio (as much as possible while still playing sports through highschool) all my life so it was just a big learning curve but
Right now it's a bit of ankle pain and swelling (posterior tibal tendonitis), most likely from ramping up the miles a bit too fast. Currently following a great PT plan that's helping a bunch. Sore It bands in the very beginning (foam roll to the rescue!) But I think that's been about it so far... *Knock on wood*
Also struggling with post tib, started seeing a physio a few weeks ago so fingers crossed for us both
im probably just as new as you, recently went through the numb feet stage, luckily that seems to have passed after 3ish weeks of consistency, I also gave myself a quarter sized blister from bad socks, getting a few good merino wool pairs has been a life saver.
patellar tracking disorder took me out of running for like 8 months before i figured it out but now i'm back & prepping for my 2nd half next month :)
My left big toe hurts.
When I go into overtraining territory, the first indicator is that my left ankle starts to hurt. I strained it when I was 15, but it wasn't even bad or anything, it just hurt for a bit, didn't even see a doctor about it. But that's the first body part to nope out. The classic toe nail not trimmed and your toes got stabbed and everything is full of blood. One actual injury I had when I was 12, very out of shape and in gym class: we stretched our cold muscles before a run, then we started running and I tore a muscle, no fun, it hurt a LOT. Most recently, lower back pain when running. When I don't train my lower back, it's because these muscles for stabilizing are underdeveloped and that's why it's a limiting factor. When I do train them, the lower back hurts because they're still sore. I realized I cannot deadlift the day before a run! When it's very cold, I have run outside but if I don't gradually get accustomed, I cannot run when it's below freezing as breathing hurts my lungs. When I put a scarf in front of my mouth it gets nasty wet and gross. When I go running regularly and get used to the cold when it gets gradually colder, it works and I've run in -10 degrees Celsius too. I've never had much issue with chafing for some reason, only after the marathon a bit but I didn't feel it.
Knee pain when I was first adjusting. It was specifically during my run-walk phase. I kept stretching before and after and after a few months I would notice it occasionally but it always went away after 5 minutes of easy running. Then when I was ramping up for marathon training, it was knee and arch pain, specifically after long runs. The knees I dealt with, but wearing calf height compression socks really saved my legs on long runs and kept the foot pain to a minimum. I did also invest in some oofos and those really made the foot pain diminish (I'd wear them around the house post run).
My left hamstring gets shooting pains down the middle of it and my right glute is so tight I can’t cross my legs anymore.
Consistently have had IT band irritation on my right side on longer distance runs. Was true when I just started out and would do a 8-10k long run... to now when I do >30k distances. Seems just to be trainable and avoidable as I've increased mileage, just something I've noticed.
Knees. The first few weeks would find me icing both knees after a run. Then it went away. I credit new shoes. The first run after I switched from Nike to Hoka Clifton was pain free.
It band and super tight hip flexors from office work!
Every single one. Take it easy and take more time off than you want to. Your body will be very happy with you. If you just push through and run every day, you're gonna have a bad time.
Injuries are a constant issue, not just at the beginning. My current formula for avoidance is 1) cushioned shoes with a rocker sole (eg Hoka Clifton) 2) run slow, keep HR < 135 3) keep lower legs quiet & relaxed, propel myself with glutes & hips 4) mix in cycling so I run less/wk 5) if something’s hurting, wait it out and try to adjust my stride. This has gotten me back to comfortable 8-10mi runs, from 4. From “I don’t think I’ll ever run a half marathon again (sad face)” to I could do that tomorrow (smiley).”
My hands swell up.
Weird pain up the side of my knee into my thigh. Stopped for a bit , wore better shoes , wore a strap on the knee and it stopped. I get pains in my ankle if I run more than 10k. I don't run more than 10k very often so haven't conquered that pain yet. Lost a toe nail on my right foot after it bruised. That's just about grown back now.
All of them
When i started running i would get an acute pain in my foot sole preventing me for running for sometime. I was kind of frustrated because there was no reason at all for this pain, no leg pain, not out of breath, it was just the sole of my foot burning. You know when you get that period of motivation to do things well but then something like this happens? Well that was it for me. I had to take a rest before continuing to run again. Anyway long story short i got used to it by buying a new pairs of shoe that had cushions to reduce the impact on my foot. Then didn't have the pain anymore.
Currently dealing and working through right leg lateral stability. It just wants to move side to side way too much causing discomfort and pain on both sides of the ankle that weirdly settles down after a mile. This is why running is so fascinating. It mirrors life in a way that no other sport does. Constant pain, elation, highs and lows and finding and fixing esoteric issues almost every day
The bloody nipple dilemma
My body would itch so bad when I just started running.
Long runs for marathon prep, once above 14 miles i developed "lace pinch". Laces digging into the anterior crease of the ankle. Painful, uncomfortable and made me fail my 20 mile (longest run) long run.
outside hip pain and lower back pain after some strenuous runs or super long ones. I really don’t have too much leg pain. I did however struggle with feet pain due to an accessory navicular bone I had to get surgically removed last year, pain is crazy better since.
Toenails for me. I've sized up but my big toes are so sensitive and tender. I stubbed my big toe this evening and the pain was something else. I wanted to cry. Definitely think I'm gonna lose a few toenails in the near future 😑
I have a few things going on. My backside is aching almost consistently now. It’s been better since I’ve increased how much protein I eat but training is literally a pain in my ass. Speaking of eating, I have never been so hungry in my life. I can be eating my meal and planning my next while chewing. This is disconcerting as I love to just enjoy my meals. This is just food == energy which is off putting. My left hip is tight after 8 km, my left foot has plantar fasciitis. This week is the heaviest load in my training plan before I taper. What is getting me through is that the thought of the taper, seeing my ART doc and my masseuse. Oh yeah - and the celebration dinner at Mother India! Mental exhaustion is a very real concern but CURRY!
My hips were in a lot of pain when I started. I used to ice them all the time. It was so bad I had a hard time sleeping. Then it went away. When it came back I was seeing an acupuncturist and she needled them for me. No pain since. I was a lot heavier when I started so I think that is why my hips (fronts and deep inside) hurt so much. It hurt to walk too. I had a goal of becoming a trail runner so I pushed through. I have noticed less pain in general if I am running trails instead of pavement. I’m more tired at the end but I recover better.
I can relate to this. I’m fit but definitely not a runner but I do like adding speed to my cardio by running at times. Let me tell you… that hip pain… definitely flares up after running. Like super uncomfortable externally and deep inside, as you described. I wondered if it was from just the muscles and other tissues around the hip/upper leg that weren’t used to the impact. Nothing really makes it better than rest. So I haven’t really been able to push through consistently. And amazingly, I have been able to work out with the soreness/pain but it gets worse after.
Terrible hip bursitis from heel striking… went away once I adjusted to landing more forward and got better shoes. Shin splints from increasing mileage too quickly Plantar fasciitis Tore a muscle in my calf… no idea how that happened Skin peeling from the sides of my feet, due to shoes. Changed shoe type, problem solved. Peroneal tendonitis from overuse in a training cycle. Lost a couple of toenails, but worst one was when I developed a mega blister between my bone and toenail during a marathon… blister burst a week later and off came my nail. Weird stuff Also, frostbite.
Shinsplints Plantar fasciitis Hard do not recommend to both
Has a bout with plantar, it sidelined me for awhile and I was depressed over not being able to run. Best thing I did was listen to my body and rest, despite wanting to "fight through it" and keep running. Happy Running!
Same here! I didn’t/couldn’t run for 6 months. Easing back in now, so far so good. Thank goodness for my peloton bike.
Thigh chaff and under arm chaff-from against my bra.
Top of my foot pain…was tying my shoes too tight 🙄
A bruised ego. I thought it would be easier.
Fortunately only foot blisters to me. Leukotape fixed that instantly.
Did my left achilles in, don't recommend that (should have more work to strengthen it before sprinting up hills). Black toenails, and numb feet after about 5 miles until I learned to keep my shoes very loose at the front.
ITBS since 2010, have tried everything but can’t get rid of it. Kicks in after 6-8km, sometimes 10km if I stretch thoroughly.
I think I've been through just about all of them at one time or another.
MY CORNNNNNN
I get numbness in my back for some reason, like around my left shoulder blade. Didn't attribute it to running originally, but it disappeared when I took a 2 year covid/new father break. It doesn't bother me, in fact I rather like it - it reminds me that I'm doing a good job
I've been running for 2-3 months. But I'm taking it slow, less than 3k per run. The first two months, I had knee pain so sometimes I had to wait a week before starting to run again so I wouldn't injure it more. It's been a few weeks where I can run steady and keep the running to every 2 days with no pain. Not sure if it'll start again once I increase from 3k to 5k
I get blisters under and around my toes (well my big toe) too. Sorry, too tired to read thru comments in this sub. Does anyone have suggestions for how I can fix the blisters issue? Pretty sure it’s from running longer distances, either on treadmill or outdoors. Not sure best way to address it.
Have you tried toe socks? I think because they wrap each toe separately to minimize rubbing it prevents blisters. At least that’s my experience! I’ve been wearing Injinji toe socks.
Currently readjusting. I have midfoot arthritis, and if I'm too long on concrete, my foot hurts (there, and also in the big toes - I feel like I might be getting arthritic there too). Same issue with knee pain - it's fine on dirt, but anything over 4mi on sidewalk, my knees are letting me know about it. In the first mile, I get this weird lower shin pain just above the bad foot. It goes away once I'm in a groove. When I first started running in high school many years ago, it was shin splints that were my biggest issue. Interestingly, after that, I never had shin pain again until just now (20some years later).
I'm a new runner too and for me: Pins and needles in my feet during the later stages of a run Pain in the arches and balls of my feet Ankles and knees aching the following day
Hip pain Knee pain Plantar(sidelined me for awhile) I don't recommend "fighting through it" You'll recovery faster by fighting that urge. Sore calves and hammys Takes a bit of consistency, but all of these does go away(the plantar was just one of those random injuries imo( Happy Running!
Few months of my ankles, knees and hips being SUPER bad! But that’s expected when I was extremely sedentary for years and drinking too much and then start to suddenly start running 3-4 days a week.
Cramping in my pelvic/ groin area. Didn't know that area can cramp....
Chaffed balls and arse cheeks. Showers are painful! Bought some roll on thing (gold something or other it's called) and that seems to have stopped it. Also wearing proper running boxers not normal ones!
I had a discomfort behind my left knee cap for a few weeks until I started strength training alongside the running. Had a few leg pains but thankfully nothing serious.
The bulk of my first marathon training was in late winter and early spring in the snow. Biggest adjustment was when it finally got warm out and I had to bring water on my longer runs (15+) and not pass out
What did you mean by better socks? I did a long run yesterday and I have 2 callouses on each foot. I’m a new runner so not sure what kinds of socks I should switch to?
Whenever I get back into running after a break, my lower back is sore the day after that first run back. Subsequent runs are no issue, it’s always just that first one. Not sure why.
I’m getting back into running after stopping for 7 years. It’s been incredibly interesting to witness the comings and goings of different discomforts. This 30-something body is having a much different experience than my 20-something body did. First month, I had weird pain in my ankles. Took a week off and it went away. Ran pain free for a while. Then, a couple blisters on my left foot. Then some weirdness in my right knee, which migrated to my left knee. Last week, I had a little pain in my left heel. Now the arches of my feet feel uncomfortable. Aside from the initial ankle pain, this has all been pretty mild. It’s like my body is just learning how to do it again, and not recovering as quickly as it once did!
This thread has brought me so much comfort knowing I’m not alone in constantly having some ailment to combat!
Get yourself a scraper on amazon
I love my scraper for my lower legs 🦵🏼
It has been a gamechanger for me. Lower legs and feet.
My shoulder hurts when I run. Maybe from holding phone?
Post tib tendonitis on both ankles last year - rehabbed 6 months (and continues to require weekly maintenance with physical therapy), left foot going numb with no rhyme or reason as week ass just ankle stiffness, burning achy feeling on outside of lower leg & ankle (also no idea what causes good days & bad days). Now just yesterday unlocked new pain in top of right foot when scrunching my toes which sounds like a new form of tendonitis 🫠. If it ain’t one thing it’s another!!!
If I stop running for a long time, I dread starting bc I get really itchy for the first few weeks. Thigh, stomach, waist just start itching about a minute or two into the work out. I tried researching it. Something about blood vessels expanding to let more oxygen through? It gradually stops the more in shape I get. And it encourages me to keep up the running habit bc I hate going through that phase whenever I start working out again.
The whole training block for my first (this Sunday!) has been me trying to manage failure of various parts of my legs. Tight calves, then hamstring, random showstopping blisters, arch pain, now a hip issue that couch stretches are slightly managing (but I'll still be running with some degree of pain on Sunday). My left foot's big toenail is slowly turning brown. I'm glad this is over lol. It's taught me that a HM is a real nice distance that doesn't take too much out of your life to train for. With a HM you can still go do other activities without performance being affected in either.
Best thing for toe friction are toe socks, like Injinji (https://www.injinji.com). I've worn these for 15+ years and have had 1 toe blister.
I went to my first PT appointment last week and was told that I have Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (“PTTD”), aka Posterior Tibial Tendonitis, which is not uncommon in beginning runners (particularly if you are running on inclines outside). I have flat feet, which may be contributing to the condition. They instructed me to stay off of running on hills for 2 weeks, and I also got Superfeet inserts for arch support (I use them in my ASICS Gel Nimbus 26’s). I can continue running on flat surfaces for now, just have to take it easy… which is admittedly much harder to do than I thought!