Running & Getting Pins n Needles

[melliebobs]

My body just isn't made for long distance running. I like a challenge so I'm on week 7 of a training plan to run 10km. Fantastic. Until 2 weeks ago.

I get 20 mins in n I get the worst pins and needles in my left foot I have to stop! It's so frustrating. Running to this intensity n frequency is new to me. So is this an injury n I just need to rest or something worse? Im not one for the drs as they r useless and I can't afford physio. It's so annoying when u finally make progress.

I'm no runner as such but have done couch to 5K a couple of times. This used to happen to me and it turned out I was doing up my trainers too tight

Could that be the cause? Maybe try loosening them especially further down the laces.

one of my friends suggested that my trainers were to lose so i've tried both ends of the tightness spectrum. And in the middle. It al kind of starts in my hamstring and works its way down to my foot.

It's hard to say what the cause is. Have you had your gait analysed in a specialist running shop to check you are in the right trainers. Other options could be elastic laces or an insole to help cushion your foot. Are you stepping up the mileage too quickly? Try running a week of shorter runs and see if that helps. Otherwise the physio might be your only option.

HTH

Could be neuro symptoms from lower back, like sciatica. Do you have a sore back? Does the pins and needles happen any other time? You can refer yourself to an NHS physio if you're in the uk (or else you can ask the GP to refer you). Hope it goes soon

Or piriformis muscle tightening over the sciatic nerve in the buttock... But a physio assessment should point you the right way.

thanks for the help guys. i always get my gait checked before buying new trainers, and i had a training plan for a 10k devised for me based on what i was already doing so don't think mileage was the problem. But it's all in vain now, as i've found out i'm 5 weeks pregnant. Shattered and can just about muster the engergy to drag myself to a class let alone run! so hey ho, gave it my best shot! when the energy levels come back i'll just try and maintain the level i've got to as long as i physically can!

Congratulations and good luck

Meant to have a :) there!

Ooooh congratulations - how exciting!! I stopped running at 8 weeks pg as I was too exhausted as well. DS is now 3 months old and I am just getting back into it. Take care and good luck!