Frustrated with running issues

[jchokie79]

Just a quick background, I just started running about a month ago. Prior to that, I was doing yoga and workout DVDs at home. I started with running 3 miles each run, 4-5 times a week.

I got fitted for shoes at a local running shoe store last week and have ran a few times with the new shoes. The reason I got fitted was because my left foot was going numb towards the end of my 3 mile runs. Well, even with the new shoes, my foot is still going numb and I've tried loosening up my shoelace and that didn't seem to help.

On top of that, I just noticed last night that my right knee was swollen and tender to the touch.

What am I doing wrong!? I'm so frustrated because I've really come to enjoy running but I know that I have to be smart and listen to my body. I just don't know how to proceed. Do I run shorter distance, less often to build my body up? Any suggestions are appreciated! Thanks.

[texassmith]

It sounds like you jumped in pretty quickly. You just started running a month ago, so 12-15 miles/week may be a bit much on your joints. Take some time off (maybe a week or so), ice your knee and take Advil (I did 3 Advil 3 times/day for my ankle swelling). Then try a short, slow run (like a mile at a pace that is slower than what you'd normally run) and see what happens with your knee. Very slowly increase your distance from there.

Not sure about the numbness, sorry. Good luck!

[aweilba]

I'm in a similar spot as you, with just starting running a month ago. I've slowly worked my way up to running 3 miles; in fact, I can't quite run all 3 yet, so I run/walk the last mile. I tried to jump right in the first few days, and I was getting really sore and stiff. Gradually building up has helped that a lot.

My left foot totally goes numb when I'm running, too. I got fitted for shoes at our local running shop, which helped a bit, but usually at 2 miles, it goes numb again. It's really bad on the treadmill, though. I got some inserts to help with cushioning, which helped slow down the amount of time before my foot goes numb. I've just learned to deal with it, but honestly I should probably see somebody. I feel like body parts going numb isn't a good thing...

[stinkerbell6879]

I agree. Take some time to rest and you did jump in pretty quickly and your body needs time to adjust. Running is very different on the body (from what I am noticing...I was a eliptical, DVD, etc..person) and def something you should ease into so you don't get injured.

[gt7301b]

I'd cut back your mileage. Maybe only do 2 mile runs for a while or try to walk a little during your runs. 0 -15 miles is a huge jump in a month.

[Deleted]

I agree with others, you jumped in too fast. Running is tough on the body, and it has to get used to the repeated impact. Take a week off, then cut back to 1.5-2 miles, then slowly increase to 3 miles.

[hjohnson050711]

let your knee heal then get back into by going 1 mile, then 2 miles. don't jump right back into 3

[sockerheel]

Are you running on a road that is uneven? Like it is higher in the middle and kind of slopes down a bit on the sides? That can affect your stride and cause issues.

[katandkevin]

I agree with everyone else that it sounds like you ramped up too quickly. As for the numbness, I would take the shoes back to the store and let them know your problem. I was having similar issues and I had to go to a wide width shoe and the numbness went away.

[aurora]

Definitely follow your instincts that feet going numb is not normal and you should figure out how to correct that, whether by speaking to a doctor or going back to the shoe store. The others are right that you jumped in pretty fast if you went straight to 12-15 mi/week from 0, so when you re-start take it slower. Also, do you have any trails that you can run on? Running on randomly uneven surfaces can help strengthen the stabilizing muscles as well as reducing repetition-based injuries. (I do agree with sockerheel that a constant uneven surface like a sloped road is bad, though.)

[Deleted]

Ditto everyone else on the mileage. That's crazy weekly mileage for a beginner.

It's possible your problems are the result of injuries from overuse and wrong shoes. You might find after taking at least a week off and starting slower that you won't have the issues.

Also, how high are your shoes coming up on your ankle and/or how high are they laced? I love my current shoes because they are low cut around the ankle so they don't press against the nerves/tendons and I don't lace the top holes because that puts too much pressure on everything as well.

[jchokie79]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to provide your suggestions. I've decided to take this week off, albeit hard to do because I'm little obsessed with running right now. I agree I went into it a little too aggressively. I plan on starting slow next week and do a walk/run for a mile or two at a time until my body adjusts. Crossing my fingers my new plan will work!