How may miles do you have on your shoes? And for that matter, where did you get your shoes?

I found I had a lot fewer issues with injuries and aches when I started using a heart rate monitor to help keep my efforts within the proper limits. You shouldn't feel aches all the time, it is a sign you are overexerting yourself.

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quote:<HR>Originally posted by run4health06:
I began running just a little over a year , however , half way through the year my calf muscles began to hurt. I stretch before and after . Will my lower legs ever feel normal without the mild aches , tightness , and everything elses associated with it . I really love the running . Can you help?<HR>

Okay, I'm in a different country and what I suggest could be 'off the wall'.
1. Chuck the stretching, you could be 'forcing' the stretches. Have you been shown how to stretch Properly ??. incorrect stretching can be lethal and do a lot of damage.
I also disagree with Stretching before a run. If you are going to do it. Jog 10 to 15 mins or so and then stretch.
2. Start varying the surfaces you run on. Get off the sidewalk and hit the grass, trails etc..
3.Run some hilly courses.

Cheers : Kim



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Run easy, Run long

I agree on the stretching deal. If you are going to stretch--minimal stuff. Stretch like an animal. They never seem to get in contorted positions and hold stretches for any set time. They seem to yawn a lot as they stretch. I have observed more runners injured from stretching too much vs too little.

Also, slow down. The walk/run concept is agood one. If you want to be running for decades--take your time. I have, and I am closing in on year 32 of running. Nick

What Long Run Nick and Kim said: Your legs will take months and even years to get over the achiness. You just kinda live with it. Unless you give yourself more rest/recovery days as someone suggested with walking, jogging, cycling.

I wondered the same things you are asking about. What I heard was "it takes time." I gave it time. I started running and surprisingly worked through 3 injuries (shin splints, non-PF tendinitis in my right ankle, and a bought of runner's knee) in the first 1.5 years of running. What I read most was that it take a good solid year to really build the core running strength in a previously sedentary body. Now I have run smarter in the last year and have done 12 months injury free.......training for my second HM in January. I am 38 years old and overweight (5'-9" & 195 lbs.) but I am more healthy than I have been in 20 years!!!!!

By the way, I am blown away by all the folks who don't stretch at all (I know, I know, I see some of the recent literature). Frankly, my old-man body couldn't survive without my solid 15 to 20 minutes of pre-run stretching.

I don't know how heavy you are or how hard/fast you run, but I am at 22 miles per week and I can only get about 300 miles on my faithful and favorite Asics (Cumulus and Nimbus).