• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Any Runners Here?

PoS

Minister of Love
DP Veteran
Joined
Feb 24, 2014
Messages
33,605
Reaction score
26,426
Location
Oceania
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Libertarian
A few years ago I bought a Nordic Track treadmill and put it up in one of the spare bedrooms. I run every weekday for 30 minutes with an ever increasing difficulty and I can now do a little over 3 miles in that span of time but now a problem has come up.

It seems my hip flexor and hamstring muscles are aching, even when Im sitting down. I took two weeks off and the pain subsided, but when I resumed running it's happening again. I dont think its serious so I dont want to have to go to a doctor just for this since the rest of my body is in good shape. Anyone have any advice?
 
Your body might not be used to running on solid surfaces like a treadmill just yet. I got that kind of pain back when I was running 20 miles a week.

The best course of treatment I can offer is stretching out the hip flexor and your legs. Before you run, after, and just generally throughout the day.

Edit: don't be afraid to either change the settings on your treadmill or run outside a little more. Your body is adaptive and if you really want to improve your cardio you have to surprise it.
 
I strongly suggest that you either go to a doctor or a physical therapy clinic (my first choice would be the latter).

One thing I learned when I used to pump a lot of weights - do not guess and do not assume...consult experts. Otherwise, you could do significant damage.

I cannot tell you how many people in the gyms I went to injured themselves simply from guessing about this or that and/or were using poor technique.

Why take a chance man - consult an expert (I assume you have one available and can afford it).
 
Your body might not be used to running on solid surfaces like a treadmill just yet. I got that kind of pain back when I was running 20 miles a week.

The best course of treatment I can offer is stretching out the hip flexor and your legs. Before you run, after, and just generally throughout the day.

Edit: don't be afraid to either change the settings on your treadmill or run outside a little more. Your body is adaptive and if you really want to improve your cardio you have to surprise it.

Thanks, I hadnt thought about running outside or different surfaces so I'll see what I can do. I do stretching before I run but I'll try to do some stretches afterwards too.

I strongly suggest that you either go to a doctor or a physical therapy clinic (my first choice would be the latter).

One thing I learned when I used to pump a lot of weights - do not guess and do not assume...consult experts. Otherwise, you could do significant damage.

I cannot tell you how many people in the gyms I went to injured themselves simply from guessing about this or that and/or were using poor technique.

Why take a chance man - consult an expert (I assume you have one available and can afford it).

I can afford it, I just hate spending unnecessarily, so I'll try some other remedies first.
 
Maybe try new running sneakers. A different brand perhaps.

I treadmill three times a week.
A treadmill is very unforgiving in that it's truly repetitive.

I think I can tie some of my worst leg, hip, and lower back pain to spending huge amounts of summer time in flip-flops.

I got some off-the-shelf orthotic insoles for my shoes and most of leg, hip, and back pain went away rather quickly.
Stopped wearing flip-flops for vast majority of summer too. :(

Shoes that are not good for your particular feet can cause lots of problems north of your feet.
 
Thanks, I hadnt thought about running outside or different surfaces so I'll see what I can do. I do stretching before I run but I'll try to do some stretches afterwards too.



I can afford it, I just hate spending unnecessarily, so I'll try some other remedies first.

With respect man, how much can it possibly cost in your area to consult a physio clinic? Or see a doctor?
 
I was an 8 miles, every other day runner for years.

A couple of tips:

Go to a sports store that caters to runners. Have them examine your gait and give you advice on shoes that are designed with your gait in mind. I was using using a type of shoe designed for people who pronate, and it turns out that I supinate. That switch helped me a lot. Buy the best shoes you can afford.

The treadmill is not a good surface to run on, especially for distance or daily running. Scout out a road route that has the spongiest surface you can find. Use that. Concrete is really bad. I used relatively spongy asphalt road shoulders with little or no slope.

Some people's bodies just don't deal well with running. I never had the hip, knee, ankle or shin problems some develop, so I was lucky there. I ended up having to quit because of a spinal injury that wasn't related to running.

For your current issue, absolutely see an orthopedic doc.

Good luck. :)
 
Argh, I hope it isnt my shoes- I like to wear Air Jordans when I run. I know, I know, they arent running shoes but I like the ankle support and they look cool compared to those flimsy runner's shoes. ;)

I forgot to add that Ive moved to a tropical country, and one of the reasons why I got a treadmill is because I dont want to run in the hot, humid outdoors. Is there a way to put padding on a treadmill?

The aches dont start until later in the evening when Im sitting down in front of the desktop. When I run I got no problems.

If this continues I'll be forced to go swimming instead. :(
 
Argh, I hope it isnt my shoes- I like to wear Air Jordans when I run. I know, I know, they arent running shoes but I like the ankle support and they look cool compared to those flimsy runner's shoes. ;)

I forgot to add that Ive moved to a tropical country, and one of the reasons why I got a treadmill is because I dont want to run in the hot, humid outdoors. Is there a way to put padding on a treadmill?

The aches dont start until later in the evening when Im sitting down in front of the desktop. When I run I got no problems.

If this continues I'll be forced to go swimming instead. :(

Given the symptoms you're describing, you might want to add some stretching later in the day. It's natural to get loose when you work out, then have those muscles stiffen up later on. Stretch those hamstrings, especially. Note that I'm just guessing here. If it keeps up, please reconsider seeing a doctor.

I totally understand not wanting to run in a hot, humid environment. I was living in the mid-atlantic when I was running, and that has extremes of temp and weather but they are pretty brief.
 
A few years ago I bought a Nordic Track treadmill and put it up in one of the spare bedrooms. I run every weekday for 30 minutes with an ever increasing difficulty and I can now do a little over 3 miles in that span of time but now a problem has come up.

It seems my hip flexor and hamstring muscles are aching, even when Im sitting down. I took two weeks off and the pain subsided, but when I resumed running it's happening again. I dont think its serious so I dont want to have to go to a doctor just for this since the rest of my body is in good shape. Anyone have any advice?
Try running on grass, or ride a recumbent bicycle. Eliminates all the pain of regular cycles!
 
Argh, I hope it isnt my shoes- I like to wear Air Jordans when I run. I know, I know, they arent running shoes but I like the ankle support and they look cool compared to those flimsy runner's shoes. ;)

I forgot to add that Ive moved to a tropical country, and one of the reasons why I got a treadmill is because I dont want to run in the hot, humid outdoors. Is there a way to put padding on a treadmill?

The aches dont start until later in the evening when Im sitting down in front of the desktop. When I run I got no problems.

If this continues I'll be forced to go swimming instead. :(

Air Jordans???? :shock:

That's the first place I'd start looking at making a change.
 
Air Jordans???? :shock:

That's the first place I'd start looking at making a change.

Yes. Running requires shoes designed for that purpose. Basketball shoes, tennis shoes and running shoes are all different for good reasons.
 
Air Jordans???? :shock:

That's the first place I'd start looking at making a change.

Why though? Its not different from army boots, and soldiers do PT like long distance marches all the time with them. Basketball shoes can be run with too.
 
Why though? Its not different from army boots, and soldiers do PT like long distance marches all the time with them. Basketball shoes can be run with too.

Each and every person is different, and their feet require different shoes for different things.

It's possible your shoes are your problem. It's possible they are not.

Shoes would be the first thing, and easiest thing to change and see if your problems go away.

A basketball shoe is not designed for running.

Air Jordans are more than likely designed for fashion.

Your body. Your choice.

If it was me, I start with trying a new sneaker.
 
Why though? Its not different from army boots, and soldiers do PT like long distance marches all the time with them. Basketball shoes can be run with too.

You definitely want to run in shoes designed for that purpose, at least if you're planning to keep it up long term. Just take our word on it. They will make a big difference.

However, that said, it sounds like your symptoms indicate another issue. If you were having joint problems, I'd suggest the shoes were the likely culprit but that's not your complaint. Yes, basketball shoes and crosstrainers have decent support for running, but you can do much better. Think of all of the reps you are doing and how they will add up over time.
 
I run every weekday for 30 minutes

Anyone have any advice?

Yes - if you're running 5 days in a row, then taking weekends off, change you schedule.

Run every other day. Take a day off between each day you run.

You're not giving your body time to "repair" itself. Too much repetitive pounding without enough rest. (yeah, I know....that's what she said....)
 
OK, I guess I'll do my running on MWF and do some swimming on TT. The problem with using the pool is my son will join in and it ends up being playtime instead of exercise.
 
I was an 8 miles, every other day runner for years.

A couple of tips:

Go to a sports store that caters to runners. Have them examine your gait and give you advice on shoes that are designed with your gait in mind. I was using using a type of shoe designed for people who pronate, and it turns out that I supinate. That switch helped me a lot. Buy the best shoes you can afford.

The treadmill is not a good surface to run on, especially for distance or daily running. Scout out a road route that has the spongiest surface you can find. Use that. Concrete is really bad. I used relatively spongy asphalt road shoulders with little or no slope.


Good luck. :)

I agree, start with good running shoes that actually fit your needs. A specialty store is well worth the few extra dollars and might save you a few in the long run. They recommended Altra gator grips for me.
I do about an average of 5 miles, but can't do it on the treadmill. Stretching, before, sometimes during, and after, is a must.
 
A few years ago I bought a Nordic Track treadmill and put it up in one of the spare bedrooms. I run every weekday for 30 minutes with an ever increasing difficulty and I can now do a little over 3 miles in that span of time but now a problem has come up.

It seems my hip flexor and hamstring muscles are aching, even when Im sitting down. I took two weeks off and the pain subsided, but when I resumed running it's happening again. I dont think its serious so I dont want to have to go to a doctor just for this since the rest of my body is in good shape. Anyone have any advice?

I don't know about hip or flexor, but basically when an injury kicks up - and it's usually once every 1-2 years - I generally tone down the running, switch over to rowing machines. I suppose bicycling might also be a good alternative, but it really depends what exactly is bothering you and why.

Basically, I've gotten over everything by just not plain running for a while but doing something else that doesn't worsen the injury. Used to be shin splints way back (HS, college, law school). These days it's more heel/knee.





There's one consistent rule I've found to be true: the older you get, the less advisable it is to push through it.
 
Argh, I hope it isnt my shoes- I like to wear Air Jordans when I run. I know, I know, they arent running shoes but I like the ankle support and they look cool compared to those flimsy runner's shoes. ;)

I forgot to add that Ive moved to a tropical country, and one of the reasons why I got a treadmill is because I dont want to run in the hot, humid outdoors. Is there a way to put padding on a treadmill?

The aches dont start until later in the evening when Im sitting down in front of the desktop. When I run I got no problems.

If this continues I'll be forced to go swimming instead. :(

Or.....try running shoes? My heel problems stopped recurring when I switched from one set of Nikes to another that had more padding for the heel, since I suspect I'm somewhere between a middle and heel striker.
 
I run every weekday for 30 minutes with an ever increasing difficulty and I can now do a little over 3 miles in that span of time but now a problem has come up.

Two days on, one day off. That's the most I'll do (well, I'll aim to do weights in the day off running, but that's a different story). I may do longer runs here and there, but doing 3-4 days in a row regularly pretty much guaruntees something will start hurting.
 
Maybe try new running sneakers. A different brand perhaps.

I treadmill three times a week.
A treadmill is very unforgiving in that it's truly repetitive.

I think I can tie some of my worst leg, hip, and lower back pain to spending huge amounts of summer time in flip-flops.

I got some off-the-shelf orthotic insoles for my shoes and most of leg, hip, and back pain went away rather quickly.
Stopped wearing flip-flops for vast majority of summer too. :(

Shoes that are not good for your particular feet can cause lots of problems north of your feet.

i'm not a runner, but i put in a lot of steps seven days a week. i can confirm that choice of shoe is incredibly important. i fixed tendonitis in my knee with different shoes. currently dealing with turf toe, so i'll probably have to switch shoes again.
 
Back
Top Bottom