Running - my knees!

[blossomwilloughby]

I first did Couch to 5k about 5 years ago and have run intermittently since then with periods of a year or so where I've been doing 5k 3x a week.
For the last three weeks, I've been doing 5k 4 or 5 times a week and am also trying to increase the distance. This is partly due to having a bit more time now I'm not commuting but mainly because I'm desperately trying to not gain weight whilst being in closer proximity to the biscuit tin! I'm also enjoying the headspace it gives me.
But my knees! I'm wincing each time I walk - although when I run, I'm OK after about 20 steps.
Is there anything I can do about it? My BMI is about 26 so I'm conscious my knees are bearing extra weight than is ideal.

You’ve just put them under a bit too much pressure after being inactive for a bit.
Do you stretch plenty ? Make sure you do a session of strength and conditioning once a week. Lunges, squats, hoping , jumps etc this will strength the joints and ligaments and get them stronger for the impact of running.
Well done on getting the distances and miles in.