Are my Nike's causing me pain

Chances are it's not the shoes that caused the pain but the increase in mileage. Anyway the few times I've had Achilles pain I knew exactly what the problem was (I got it when I tried not land on my heels as much).

Like the other commenter has said, based on what you've written here I would have a hard time blaming the shoes. Often nagging injuries start to show up when you begin to ramp up the mileage. Normal rule of thumb is not to drastically increase MPW by more than 10%-20% or you'll be at an increased risk of injury (no scientific evidence on that, just circumstantial evidence and basic running folk lore).

A little more information from your end would help:

1) What shoes were you previously running in?

2) What were your MPW before you started to run longer and what are your MPW now?

3) How many runs after you had the Pegs before your achilles started to hurt?

4) Are you doing any dynamic stretches before you head out for a run?

5) Are you rolling out after your runs (esp. any spadework or long runs)?

That info would definitely help the forum try to nail down the culprit of your pain.

Thanks for the replies. I will try to answer your questions.

1. They where a Nike flex experience rn I think. They had a low heel to toe drop. That's why I choose the 35s.

2. Mpw was 10-12. Now it's up to 30-40. But I haven't done anything for the last week.

3. I had run for 10 weeks without any problems. It was the last 4 runs that the pain started. I had got upto 40 mpw when I had the problem.

4. I do my stretches after my runs. I do a brisk walk before as a warm up. I am also trying low heart rate training.

5. I have only been doing long runs. my week was 10ks in the week 3 times. On Saturday I would do 7-9 miles and 11-13 on Sunday. The runs have lot of hills. I run mainly on roads and paths. Not really sure what rolling out is.

I think I know what your going to say. I look forward to what you have to say.

One thing I would ask. If it is to many miles to soon then when should I be ok to go back to running?

I have a little bit of tenderness. I haven't run for a couple of days. I had planned on going tomorrow for a short run but I am not sure. Thanks.

Fastturtle wrote:

One thing I would ask. If it is to many miles to soon then when should I be ok to go back to running?

I have a little bit of tenderness. I haven't run for a couple of days. I had planned on going tomorrow for a short run but I am not sure. Thanks.

You can go back to running when the pain is tolerable and running doesn't make it worse. It's better not to run than put yourself out of commission for longer. Get on the elliptical or a bike if you have to.

Thanks.

Hi guys. Just thought I would give an update. I used my exercise bike this morning instead of a run. I got a little bit of tightness towards the end but nothing to bad. I also wore my 35s out today and they felt ok. I think it was the extra mileage to much to soon that caused the problem. I am now waiting until the pain is gone before I run again. I will be taking it slow and keeping the distance low for a while. I was also thinking about getting a treadmill.

Thanks again for the advice.

Chris.

hi everyone.

I went for a run today. it was slow and I kept an eye on my Achilles. it felt tight but there was no pain. when I got home I stretched. it has been hurting since I got back and it was a bit crackly for a while. I have rolled it and rested. I felt a bit of pain in my knee on the other leg and a little pain in the other Achilles. the thing I don't get is why its only one side that is effected more? I had a look at my runs and found that I had done a new route that week and my millage was 11 miles more than the week before.

I had a look at my shoes and the side that hurts is more worn than the side that is ok. I have had more than a weeks rest with stretches and less activity but it still hurts after I run. could it be the shoes?

if my Achilles is ok on Thursday I am going to try a different pair of trainers. I have a newer pair which I can try.

should I give it more time?

I will keep you all updated. thanks Chris.

It's not unusual to have more wear on one side versus another. Could be due to a leg length discrepancy or just that you land differently on each side, and as a result it isn't surprising that injuries occur on one side more than another.

You might have better luck on a treadmill, as that can be a more forgiving surface. Before buying one you can get a trial membership at a club or YMCA to see if it helps and if you can stand it (for the boredom that some people experience).

thanks. I have been looking at getting a treadmill. I might go and see if its worth doing.

Hi everyone.

I have recovered well from my last run. I am trying to work out how many miles a week I should do. My pace is very slow at the moment and I want to get faster. I am a bit overweight and i haven't been running long. I have done a half marathon but it took me 3 hours and 40 mins. I see everyone running past me and it gets a bit frustrating. I have been doing tempo runs and hills. I also was doing the long easy runs until the injury. I feel like I am starting fresh. So does any one have any ideas. Keeping in mind I am coming from an injury.

Thanks.

Chris.

The only shoe that will help your achilles is the Ultra Boost Sts. Get some shockwave therapy on it and do some heavy weights on the calf machine.

Thanks.

Take it slow.

I started running a few years ago and followed the 10% rule - increase the weekly mileage no more than 10% at a time and long runs no more than 10% over the previous longest training run. But there are two things I didn't do which I now do: reduce the mileage every fourth week and keep an eye on my pace. I also switched from my normal gym routine and inadvertently dropped a lot of helpful core and leg exercises. In my first year or so running, I really didn't know what pace I was capable of so most of my runs were just too fast. Toward the end of my first year running, I ran a 1:43 half marathon fairly easily and figured that was my easy pace.

I was wrong.

I pushed myself to run faster and longer in my training. My second year running, I encountered injury after injury - mostly to my calves, sometimes to the achilles, and plantar fasciitis. Because of injuries, my mileage actually dropped in my second and third years of running from that first injury free year.

It wasn't my shoes. It was my body adapting to these new stresses that I was putting on my body. I pulled back, slowed down, reduced mileage, did more cross-training, and eased the running back in over time, lowering my expectations for speed.

I haven't had a running injury in years now and my mileage is more than double what it was when I first took up running. I am running marathons, typically finish in the top 10% of my age group, and hope to be lining up for Boston next April (I am less than 5 minutes faster than my BQ so you never know...). I am by no means the fastest out there but I enjoy injury-free running and my (modest) successes.

It just takes a while for our bodies to adapt and to develop realistic expectations.

Thanks for the reply. That's very interesting. I have been doing some cross training while I haven't been able to run. I went for a run this morning and it was fine. NO PAIN.

I am listening to my body now and I am running slow. I have been trying the run walk method while keeping my heart rate low. But this morning I just decided to go for a run. I enjoyed every minute of it. I also wore my old trainer's with no problems. I think like you guys have suggested I am going to keep the milage lower than before. Keep it at a slower pace and when I am ready add tempos and hills. For now I am just going to enjoy running. Thanks to you all for your suggestions and advice it has really helped. Cheers and happy running.

Chris.