My Forum

Ultra you make a good point about the shoes, I wore my normal trainers to the point of my knee hurting. It was that that made me go to a proper runjing shop and get fitted out, but I still had the problems a month or so later.

Knight, that could be a good idea, building up the general fitness over winter then build up on the road running.  I have no good parks localy but there is a good area a few miles away, its a couple of football pitches and I know its 1/4 mile per lap. So not the most interesting place but the times i did run there i found it a lot easier going than the road running.

I think one of the problems is also the road/path conditions around here, not in good condition and a good few are on a slope.

AgentGinger its not preferable, I loved running in the wet and wind etc but just dont want to cause myself another injury and get downhearted again about it all.

So a brief history of me,

Im now 34 started to train for the Belfast marathon in 2010/2011, I started from only doing a bit of walking and training went well.

Sept and Oct built up to be mainly 2.5 - 4 Mile runs with a long slow Sunday run of 7 – 8 miles.

During Nov I was on hols so missed most of this month

Over the winter I joined a gym and used their treadmill for Dec, Jan. I was doing the same routine and miles but knew that treadmill was easier than road running.

I also got a personal trainer an hour a week in Jan/Feb to help work my core.

When I got back on the road in Feb I surprised myself with what I could do, my weekday runs were getting faster and during Feb – Mar I managed 11, 13.3 and 12.1 mile runs at good speeds, I was feeling good after each run and can even remember saying to my wife I think I’m going to be able to do this!!!. ( I managed to find my post saying about it on here http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/beginners/just-ran-my-first-half-marathon-distance/171893.html

My next run after my 12 miler I got a few miles in and one of my knees started to hurt and I had to abandon the run half way in. I rested a few days then tried again and same problem.  I then rested about 2 weeks and again about the 2 – 3 mile mark knee started hurting.

At this stage I pulled out of the marathon as I was now too far behind and I didn’t want to cause further injury. Since I was pulling out I felt down and just gave up so never seen a doc about it. Even now i can’t even remember what knee it was and if the pain was inside the knee or at the sides etc. However it did only hurt during the run and maybe a few hours after.

Over the last year or so I have lost 90% of my fitness but go out for a short run/walk every now and again. Sometimes I get niggles in my knees but I don’t know if it is just my imagination looking for the problem or if it’s just normal hard work pains.

2 Weeks ago I bought a treadmill and have been really enjoying running on that again. I’m up to 3 miles and not a single pain in my knee (I also can’t remember getting any pains when on the gyms treadmill). Also I have a TV positioned in front of me and the room is separate from the house so I’m not going to disturb anyone, so I could run for a long time etc.

So I guess I’m thinking is it possible to do, let’s say 85% training on a treadmill then the other 15% on the road, just so I can save my knees? I would still love to get 1 marathon done in my life time and I really do love the feeling of being fit, but I guess I’m just scared of doing long term damage.

Jess L

I feel the same as you about the heat in a gym, I have been using my local for a few months and it gets hot as hell when working hard. i went out on the road a few weeks ago and it was much better.

I have been a lurker for a good while now with only a few posts so thought I would give an update after a very good day

 In Sept I entered the Belfast marathon for the 5th May, I hadnt done any running just a little walking, i was 32 any not fit. I started the get you around program here and was getting on well, up to about week 6 but then winter came and I couldnt get out much at all. A gym opened up near me so joined up and started going in Dec. Obviously Xmas was in the way as well so I god a few 30 min runs under my belt during that time.

Jan came and I hired a personal trainer for an hour a week, mailny to work on my core strength. I also started back onto the program. A few 30 min runs a week going either fast or up hill then a long slow one on a sunday. I managed to get upto 8 miles on the treadmill.

A couple of weeks ago I ventured out onto the read again expecting to lose a mile or so of my long run. 2 Weeks ago I did a 5 mile run with a few 3 miles after it. Last week I planned for 7 and ended up doing 11 so this week I aimed for 12 and managed 13.3 in 2:02 !!! OK the route I took this week was fairly flat except for the last mile or so but I still didnt expect all this 2 weeks ago..

 I have 10 weeks till race day and im starting to feel as if I will be able to do this little race