Last week I started running consistently again. Pre-pregnancy I averaged 10-15 miles per week and I'd ran 4 halfs and a sprint triathlon.
So I ran three consecutive days in a row just 2 mile runs and by the fourth day my knees hurt to walk so I took 3 days off to let whatever heal. Today was my day back and my knees felt fine and I ran 3 miles. Now I am in pain climbing my stairs. What do I need to do? I can just push through but I'm scared of injury,
TIA!
grapefruit / 4136 posts
Ouch! I don't think I can call myself "a runner" but I know that when I'm just starting out again (I fall off the wagon a lot...) if I'm not doing a lot of cross training that my joints/muscles are much more weak. I usually do a pattern of days like this:
Day 1: Decent/harder run
Day 2: 30DS
Day 3: Light run
Day 4: Ripped in 30
Day 5: Decent/harder run
and so on/so forth until I feel like I've built up more endurance.
Then I fall off the wagon and have to start over again.
I have NO real advice other than maybe some other muscle building might help? No evidence or knowledge to prove that though!
persimmon / 1355 posts
I'm sort of on the same boat. I'm signed up for a half, and my back hurt terribly after running this weekend. My plan is to do some cross training and core work before building up my running too much. I think you can push through muscle pain, but I wouldn't mess with your knees. I think once your muscles are stronger, it should take some of the pressure off your knees, joints, etc.
nectarine / 2465 posts
I'm thinking you probably just need to strength train? Some of your muscles might be weaker than others so you aren't bouncing back from your runs as well. Don't forget to stretch too 
cantaloupe / 6017 posts
How does your IT band feel? I've always heard knee pain is often a result of tight IT band or weak thigh muscles. I'd just add in some cross training, and maybe some yoga (pigeon pose!) to really stretch out.
nectarine / 2272 posts
I agree with it band stretching and strength training. I have a bum right knee and i have to be working constantly to strengthen my quads and hips. My IT band is super tight as well.
cherry / 120 posts
I need running help, too! I used to run 10-20 miles a week depending on what I was training for, and now I can't run more than a block. I'm in my first trimester (7 weeks) and also get out of breath and plus by boobs hurt something awful. We tried going on a hike on Sunday (one that I can do no problem) and only made it a third of the way through before I got extremely out of breath. It was bad. Any suggestions? Will this go away? I went from being really active to just a walker.
pomegranate / 3895 posts
Have you tried vitamin supplements? A lot of people swear by glucosamine for helping "oil the joints." My golden retriever takes it for her hips and we've noticed some (not major) improvements on her range of motion. The vet said that it does take some time to build up in your system, so it's not a quick fix. My husband has a bad hip too and I asked the vet if it would help him (yes, I am asking the animal doctor for advice on my human husband) and the vet said yes. It's super cheap to buy off Amazon. We sprinkle it over her puppy chow, but I would guess you can just swallow the pill 
@GreeneB2: Shortness of breath when you are pregnant is fairly normal. I would call your doctor and discuss, IMO. I was a runner pre-pregnancy and the doctor told me that I could do whatever I used to do, but when my body said I needed to stop, I needed to stop. The shortness of breath comes and goes for me (I'm 32 weeks now, so it mainly just stays at this point), but I would say was much worse in the first trimester. Your body is just working so hard in the beginning (a lot of organ development happens during this time).
pomelo / 5524 posts
I think you're starting off with too much weekly mileage too fast. What parts of your knees hurt? I usually have IT band issues as well, and there are some great stretches online on how to stretch out your IT band after runs.
I would say to start, run every other day. Your body needs time to recover, even after a 2 mile run. You're not really giving it any time to recover running the same distance 3 days in a row. On your off days, do the strength training or cross training that will be easy on your knees.
grapefruit / 4663 posts
@2PeasinaPod: I know I have unrealistic expectations (says the girl who KNOWS better and in 2010 thought a mile was OMG so far! ). I ran yesterday and then did a workout video today. It's the tops of my knees as I do stairs etc.
grapefruit / 4663 posts
@babyjmama: @Silva: @KelLeeLeee: @hotchildinthecity: thanks ladies. I'll start strength training along with running. I'm over-anxious I want to be back to my old self NOW 
pomelo / 5524 posts
@jetsa: The tops of your knees...hmm, like the connection to your quad muscle?
A great yoga pose for that is standing on one foot (ha...I lose my balance every time), and bringing your opposite leg up with your knee bent...almost as if you're hugging your bent leg. The more upright you are and the more you pull it, the more your quad is stretched. It doesn't seem like it when you initially try it, but it gives a super deep stretch!
grapefruit / 4663 posts
@2PeasinaPod: yep there, it hurts on stairs or even if I just bend my knees to lean down. I will try that stretch!
pomelo / 5524 posts
On your off days too...try to get lots of potassium and hydrate! Potassium really helps with muscle soreness. Bananas and apricots are both high in Potassium.
Are you on Facebook? If so, follow Runner's World magazine. They always post great tips for post run stretches, avoiding injury or things that will help to improve your running if you're starting over after a long hiatus!
grapefruit / 4136 posts
@jetsa: I just did a little reading and found this with some info on the glucosamine and some good tips for rest days. They really are important. I know once you get started you don't want to lose momentum, but it's important to let your body recover too!
http://www.active.com/running/articles/10-quick-fixes-to-save-your-knees-and-joints
@2PeasinaPod: I'm going to start following them on FB, that's a great idea!
coffee bean / 41 posts
I agree with @2peasinapod!
@zbug, your back might be hurting if you aren't engaging your core enough and keeping your abs tight (I learned that the hard way!).
@greeneb2, are you wearing a supportive sports bra? I ended up going to the doctor because I couldn't figure out why I was suddenly so sore all of the time, and I realized it was because my sports bras were out of shape.
kiwi / 603 posts
Have you tried using a foam roller on your IT band? I've had knee pain from running years. When I use a foam roller daily, it goes away. Takes just a few minutes. You can probably find some videos on YouTube to get specific exercises to do.
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