Heck of a way to start out...

by James H.
(St. Charles, MO.)

Back in early August I decided I was going to get into running. I haven't done any serious running since high school and I wanted to do something that got me out into the outdoors, and maybe even complete a half marathon.

After some reading and research I went to my local running store, voted one of the best. I talked to a girl who was also a runner and she calculted my gait, arch (or lack there-of) and running style. It was a great experience, and I ended up buying some good shoes and also a pair of arch supports.

I started light, walking first in my neighborhood which has some hills and equals about a mile in one lap. My foot would hurt quit a bit from the arch supports. But I was told that would be natural as my foot was adapting to the support. I moved up to about a 2-3 mile walk every morning and was starting to enjoy the early morning peace.

About 3 weeks into my walks (no running yet) my left knee started to hurt and I stopped walking (I read that you should stop the minute you feel knee pain). Needless to say for the next 4 weeks I was sleeping with my knee elevated and had to wear a brace. It was hard to stand with any pressure on my knee. Its now December and I'm able to walk regularly, but as soon as I start to jog, the knee pain starts to come back. I took out the orthotics and have felt better. But now I'm afraid to "step it up" since I dont know if the pain will return or if it will make it worse.

I really want to build up to run. I still want to complete a half marathon and not just by walking the whole thing. Any advice?!

Click here to post comments

Join in and add your own comments! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Do you have a running injury?.