Niggling running discomfort which will not go away after one year!!!!!!

[kerry19834]

I am 42 years old and came to running about 4 years ago. Last year I was a little silly I had been running up to 7 - 8 miles on the odd run but usually around 5. On a warm summers day I got carried away with a friend and ran 13 miles. The next time I went out for a run 3 days later my calf tighten ater a mile so I stopped. My calf and foot were then tight and swollen foe a while, in particular my little toe and across the top of my foot, and occasionally my thigh. I took some time off and spoke to an excellent physio who did regular sports massage and exercies after about 2 months it was just about back to normal and I built back.

The thing is my right leg has never been the same since, even when I have not been running my right leg and expecially the little toe can tighten and feel slightly uncomfortable. On the odd occasion my whole leg feels tight and the foot can swell up sligthly. The ankle can also sometimes feel weak.

I work on exercies to strengthen and do yoga to stretch.

But I am getting frustrated its been almost a year and my right leg still niggles after being a total idiot. I wish I had never got carries away and ran that half without building it slowly

Have I done perm damage I just can't beleive my leg is still not right one year.

Do you do strength and mobility work?
Dynamic warm up?

I'm a niggly runner, I just have naturally tight muscles and benefit from a monthly MOT with a sports massage or osteopath to reset.

New trainers? You might have run wonky and worn one down in a funny way

I follow Caroline girvan on you tube. I try and work through her programs I do a couple of sessions a week then yoga. I must admit I'm not the best at warming up. Although I stretch after some of the time. Before my injury I must admit I never bothered stretching apart from longer runs.

Maybe I'm getting old.

Only a couple of months old and same type I've had for a while.

I don't think what you did was particularly silly in terms of a build to distance, so don't blame yourself! You were doing a good thing. I'm sorry you are still in pain though, that sucks! Perhaps you should go back to see a professional to get another opinion as that sounds like quite a specific issue they might be able to help with, the fact your foot swells up sounds unusual.

In terms of warm ups, I have done many a run, many a race, without a proper warm up and been fine. It's mainly bad luck when you come a cropper with an injury, imho!