Leg trouble while running

[ktimekiller]

Before I tell you my problem, let me explain my situation. I have been a runner for 5+ years, and I've even ran marathon-like distances, so I am not a novice at running. I also have not taken a prolonged break in a month. I am also aware that I have flat feet.

Starting about a little more than a week ago, the bottom of my feet, calves, and generally, the lower section of my leg entirely have been utterly killing me during my runs. Before I even tap into a tiny fraction of my stamina, my lower leg will start hurting enough to make me stop.

My tibia (the foremost bone of the lower leg) hurts as if it is about to snap, all the area between my calves and ankles swell with muscle and feel like it is going to explode. The bottom of my feet also experiences extreme pain.

I figure that the issue can potentially be two things.

1. My flat feet is getting worse.
The area where the arch should be is occupied by a extra large chunk of muscle for me, which is often sore after a long run.

2. I have been RAPIDLY gaining weight (water weight I'm told by below posters). In the last two weeks, I gained almost 10 pounds with only a very small portion of that 10 pounds comprising of fat.
Maybe my lower leg cannot handle the sudden increase of weight.



And yea, I did look up flat feet on google, and they ALL suggest I get uber shoes for flat feet persons.

 

[VirusType2]

I'm sorry, ktimekiller; we're going to have to put you down.

/loads rifle

 

[No Limit]

How much do you weigh?

 

[VirusType2]

 

[Letters]

Sounds like you already know the problem and the solution.

That's good.

 

[Rizzo]

Steriods can do that.

 

[Krynn72]

Run barefoot. Or get those shoes that Toaster always brags about.

 

[Rizzo]

I prescribe more steroids.

 

[ktimekiller]

At the moment, I weigh 164 pounds at 5'7 in feet/inches

 

[StarBob]

You can't gain 10 pounds of muscle in two weeks. At most you can gain about a pound a week of muscle - maximum two if you have a perfect diet and a perfect workout. You most likely gained water weight which is what happens when you start putting on muscle. Working out will force your body's tissues to absorb more water that you drink and it adds up hardcore.

Also - though it's probably flat feet, you may have slightly changed your running posture without noticing. Not to mention the fact that you could be developing a stress fracture in your foot. Stress fractures lead to other issues like compensating issues - from changing postures. Being that you're a runner, you no doubt know the whole shin splints deal that takes place. That could explain the pain on the front of your leg. Another result of altered form in running. It's all relative though... really you just have to watch out for stress fractures because those will mess you up.

 

[ktimekiller]

Hm, thanks for the input concerning weight, that makes a lot more sense.

 

[Rizzo]

You don't gain a pound of muscle a week. Unless your perfect diet consists of steroids. Even then that's a lot.

 

[ktimekiller]

Yea, I realize how silly that sounds now thinking about it

 

[Warped]

You should get a wheelchair and just mope around all day and get in the way at the grocery store

 

[Rizzo]

Im serious about the steroids though. You should try it out. All the cool athletes are doing it.

 

[VirusType2]

I was thinking something like this:

YOU CAN STILL BE SEXY

Spoiler

 

[Rizzo]

that's so sad. Also cheating, they are way more springy then normal legs.

 

[VirusType2]

My point exactly. Put some spring in your step.

 

[ktimekiller]

Concerning the water weight, can you give me some examples of how I can utilize this period to promote growth?

Also, if it is a stress fracture, should I just take a break from running for a while?

 

[kazsymonds]

Concerning the water weight, can you give me some examples of how I can utilize this period to promote growth?

Also, if it is a stress fracture, should I just take a break from running for a while?

How old are you dude? (if you don't mind me asking)

(I realise it's too late for me to care if you mind because i've already asked, so **** you if you take offence)

 

[ktimekiller]

Ha, yea I do take some offense in that you might be inferring something negative, but I am 19

 

[VirusType2]

Concerning the water weight, can you give me some examples of how I can utilize this period to promote growth?

http://www.musclehack.com/why-you-need-water-to-build-muscle/

 

[ktimekiller]

I was hoping for something I wasn't aware of
I looked through a few articles on the first page of google concerning that, and they were all basics I knew.

 

[Warped]

I was thinking something like this:

YOU CAN STILL BE SEXY

Spoiler

I'd hit it! people would look up to me too and then I'd pat them on the should and whisper

Spoiler

pussy is pussy man

 

[Rizzo]

Try some kreatin man. It helps with the water absorbation in the muscles.
Also it's important to eat alot. Gotta get those carbs.

I'd high five the shit out of you for that Warped.

Spoiler

I thought you where Willieh first.

 

[Krynn72]

Also, if it is a stress fracture, should I just take a break from running for a while?

Nah, just keep repeatedly slamming your entire body weight on it until it heals over. If you stop now it may never fully heal.

 

[ktimekiller]

**** yea, i solve pain with pain

 

[the cow says moo]

Are you gellin?

 

[15357]

I envy you: my stamina runs out before I get a chance to get my legs all hurting.

 

[ktimekiller]

I wouldn't envy me, my legs at the moment are giving out after only 2 miles

Under normal conditions, I wouldn't pause until I've run 6 miles

 

[15357]

I wouldn't envy me, my legs at the moment are giving out after only 2 miles

Under normal conditions, I wouldn't pause until I've run 6 miles

My stamina gets utterly depleted at 2 miles. Of course, that's in the assumption that I run without change in pace. (6~7min/mile)

Running fast has always been my specialty. Running long never has.

 

[StarBob]

Stress fractures you basically treat like any break and they take about the same amount of time to treat.

Creatine is great to help you build muscle, but if you're running it won't do anything but dehydrate you faster.

 

[ktimekiller]

Odd thing is, I've also experienced SEVERE (nearly incapacitating) back pain while running only a few weeks ago. It also utterly destroyed my ability to run, as my back would ache as if I had fallen straight on my spine. I kept running despite it all for a week, and it just went poof and disappeared. For the leg, while I realize IF it is a fracture, more stress on it will only serve to make it worse, but I am going to give it the same treatment as I always have during some kind of ache, pain or injury. Dump more exercise and hope it gets better.

I've also have a history of utterly crippling back pain before, but they have all come and gone with nothing that could be linked with causing or curing it in any way. I am hoping the leg is simply a different area of this bizarre pain that will go away with no lasting effects on my body.

And no I have no visited a doctor or consulted a physiologist for any exercise related issues

 

[the cow says moo]

I wouldn't envy me, my legs at the moment are giving out after only 2 miles

Under normal conditions, I wouldn't pause until I've run 6 miles

After only 2 miles? Wow, there definitely must be something wrong with your leg.

 

[StarBob]

Lower back pain? I think that ties this all together. Your flat feet is contributing to a poor heel strike. It would explain all the rest of the pain too. One cause of shin splints is flat feet resulting in hard heel strike.

The major biomechanical inefficiency contributing to shin splints is that of flat feet. Flat feet lead to a second biomechanical inefficiency called over-pronation. Pronation occurs just after the heel strikes the ground. The foot flattens out, and then continues to roll inward.

Heel impact is also directly tied to lower back pain in runners.

You need some insoles or something that give you heel cushioning and work shifting your weight forward a little when you run to give you less heel strike. Plus you'll have huge calves and ladies love that...

Also you'll prolly need to stretch your lower legs more to give you some flexibility which will help no matter what.

 

[ktimekiller]

Hm, I will look into some better shoes and cushioning.

I much appreciate all the help you've given StarBob, much obliged

EDIT: It really sucks that this little missing gap causes so much problem for someone who enjoys running. I envoy those with great arches, yet don't run

 

[Hurricane]

do you run independently, or for a school? If the latter, I would suggest just going to see the trainer. Even if it ends up not being serious, it's better to know that it's not than to worry about it. Also, I would agree with StarBob about the shoes, but it sounds like you're experienced enough to know what type of shoes you should wear. Have you started running more mileage per week recently? It could definitely be a stress fracture if the pain feels deep instead of in the muscles.

 

[L3N!N]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of shoes do you run in?

 

[ktimekiller]

I run independently, and I wear a shoe I've been using to run in since I started my whole exercise career.

Yes I realize this is utterly stupid and terrible for a runner, but I do not like throwing away old things I have used for a long time, they hold some kind of nostalgia for me.

 

[Hurricane]

Well I'm going to say that's your problem right there. You should be replacing your every 500-800 miles, depending on their condition. Many shoes even have indicators built into them to show when you should get new ones. If you keep running in those old ones, you're going to keep getting injured.