Stress Fractures? Over-exercising?

[Bsides 0]

Hey guys,

So like a lot of y'all I've been hitting the gym super hard since having the surgery back at the end of feb. I have gradually worked into things and have dropped about 80 pounds in the process.

One thing I had always stayed away from is running. Mostly because i was afraid that at my weight and fitness level, I wouldn't be able to withstand the high impact. I've recently come around to it though and the last 2 or 3 weeks Ive been doing maybe 3-6 miles a day on the treadmill and really enjoying it! I started out in some old running shoes though, and after a while i started to feel pain in my forefoot.

It used to be only when I was running, but now I feel it when i'm resting as well. I've since gotten some good running shoes (mizuno waves) and I've kinda still been running even though it kinda hurts. The pain subsides after ive been running for a minute, so I think thats a good sign that it might not be a bone injury.

Anyways, I wanted to ask the boards opinion about this, and maybe get you guys to talk about some of the pains and discomfort you might experience coming from being overweight and sedentary and jumping into a workout regimine. I know everybody that goes through this process with encounter some discomfort, but the question I think is when the discomfort is serious enough that you should stop training?

Well, thats kind of a wall of text, but hopefully somebody has gone through this sort of thing. With my foot, I havent seen a doctor yet because the pain isnt particularly severe. But it does sort of concern me, also I know that any doctor no matter what i tell them will tell me to stop working out. And that is not what i want to hear right now lol!

[asingingdiva 0]

I too have had a foot injury (back of my ankle) since having lap band surgery and beginning to excercise on a regular basis. I ignored the pain for nearly 3 months before going to an orthopedic doctor about the pain. I just couldn't ignore the pain any more as it really began to effect my walking, going up and down stairs, etc. The doc diagnosed me with achilles tendonitis and no he did not ask me to stop working out. He did however send me to Physical Therapy, where I am learning how to stretch.

"Achilles tendonitis is often associated with a sudden increase in the intensity or frequency of exercise.

When treated promptly, Achilles tendinitis is often short-lived. Left untreated, Achilles tendinitis could cause persistent pain or cause your tendon to tear (rupture). If so, you may need surgery to correct the damage."

So needless to say, I'm glad I went on and saw the doctor instead of ignoring it any longer. My advice to you is you should go see the doctor and rule out any serious injury that might put you on bed rest for a long period of time. :teeth_smile:

[snowbird 2]

i think if you had a bone injury the pain would be more severe. I had a stress fracture on the ball of my foot once, and I couldn't even touch it to the ground without a LOT of pain.

I hyperextended my knee really bad after losing 65 lb. a couple years ago. I jumped up into the bed of our pickup truck and "forgot" I wasn't as heavy as I used to be, and applied way too much force to my jump. I think our brains take some time to relearn how to move after a weight change.

Good shoes should help. If the pain subsides after a few minutes, I would guess a good stretching routine may help you, and seeing your doctor would put your mind at ease, as diva said before.

[Jachut 487]

It doesnt sound like any sort of bone injury.

Running is an insane sport. The first five minutes of any run I do involve runnign through various aches and pains. I always have pain in my heel when I wake up, not severe, just a pulling in the right heel, its some sort of plantar fascia thing. I ran 14.5kms yesterday and could barely walk for the rest of the day, but my knee is fine again today.

I find I have to "manage" running. I must take rest days, I must do long runs, short runs, tempo runs, not the same thing all the time. I keep my mileage lowish most of the time, anything under 10kms at a time my body handles fine and I dont get injuried, I've not done a half marathon yet because my body protests a lot the minute I increase the mileage and I'm very very cautious with that.

I would say I've had minor foot problems with my right foot since I started but I get a bit of acupuncture, I take time off if I get really sore, I look after it and to be honest, I had this problem beofre I had the band, so its actually improved.

But I dont think I'll ever run without some sort of symptoms. But I cant walk either, walking really hurts my back.

I jsut figure I'd rather be thin and fit with a few minor problems than be fat and inactive with major ones. But I would never run through real pain or if I really had an injury.

[Bsides 0]

thanks so much for the responses.

I'm very glad to hear that its probably not a stress fracture. I was kinda worried.

I must say though that the pain is still present. It seems to get worse at night, which is kinda weird I guess. Maybe I do need a rest day. I did elipticals yesterday because thats supposed to be 0 impact. I will be very happy when it no longer hurts anymore though.

thanks again,

Brendan

[kagoscuba 0]

It doesnt sound like any sort of bone injury.

Running is an insane sport. The first five minutes of any run I do involve runnign through various aches and pains. I always have pain in my heel when I wake up, not severe, just a pulling in the right heel, its some sort of plantar fascia thing. I ran 14.5kms yesterday and could barely walk for the rest of the day, but my knee is fine again today.

I find I have to "manage" running. I must take rest days, I must do long runs, short runs, tempo runs, not the same thing all the time. I keep my mileage lowish most of the time, anything under 10kms at a time my body handles fine and I dont get injuried, I've not done a half marathon yet because my body protests a lot the minute I increase the mileage and I'm very very cautious with that.

I would say I've had minor foot problems with my right foot since I started but I get a bit of acupuncture, I take time off if I get really sore, I look after it and to be honest, I had this problem beofre I had the band, so its actually improved.

But I dont think I'll ever run without some sort of symptoms. But I cant walk either, walking really hurts my back.

I jsut figure I'd rather be thin and fit with a few minor problems than be fat and inactive with major ones. But I would never run through real pain or if I really had an injury.

Somewhat simple solution...ride a bike before you run. :thumbup: I know all of my "run-aches" are not there after I ride first. Of course, this is not an easy solution for everyone.

Saw a great shirt the other day (it is Ironman related): "So, you run marathons, huh? That's cute; those are my cool-down." Those guys and ladies are sick! :thumbup:

[georgia girl 35]

Bsides, it sounds like we kinda have the same problem, except my problem is my left knee. I started the couch to 5k about a month ago and I noticed last week that my knee was slightly hurting after my runs. I always take a rest day in between my runs. My knee is usually fine on those days but it does start feeling stiff and sore at night. I've been icing it and elevating it when I can.

I also twisted my left ankle again yesterday (second time in the last month!) so I figured I better take a few days off and try to get them better. If the problem persists, I guess I will go to the doctor.

Hope your foot gets better soon!

[Bsides 0]

Bsides, it sounds like we kinda have the same problem, except my problem is my left knee. I started the couch to 5k about a month ago and I noticed last week that my knee was slightly hurting after my runs. I always take a rest day in between my runs. My knee is usually fine on those days but it does start feeling stiff and sore at night. I've been icing it and elevating it when I can.

I also twisted my left ankle again yesterday (second time in the last month!) so I figured I better take a few days off and try to get them better. If the problem persists, I guess I will go to the doctor.

Hope your foot gets better soon!

OOh, thanks. Sorry about that knee. But yeah, my foot still hurts! I have to admit that i haven't given in and taken a rest day yet. I just switched it to elipticals. The thing that bugs me is that working out on it makes it feel better. The worst times are really at night. I guess I'm gonna have to go to the doctor. Maybe i'll give it one more day.

[georgia girl 35]

OOh, thanks. Sorry about that knee. But yeah, my foot still hurts! I have to admit that i haven't given in and taken a rest day yet. I just switched it to elipticals. The thing that bugs me is that working out on it makes it feel better. The worst times are really at night. I guess I'm gonna have to go to the doctor. Maybe i'll give it one more day.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I feel so much better on the days I work out. It's killing me to take these days off....

Hope you figure out what's going on. Take care and keep us posted.