Entire leg! Help :(

[Fierce15]

Hey ya'll.
Im britt. I'm a bit new to running but I was fast to fall in love with it. I started running early this year but have picked up my pace (maybe faster then I should have) but I am goin to basi training next year and I really need to pick up pace to make it through. Anyways now I can barely run and it very suddenly happened. Before maybe my calves would hurt time to time but I always did "r.i.c.e" and took a day or two. Now it's my leg! It feels like below my right knee is taking it hard and then my thigh/groin area makes it hard for me to stride at all and I haven't been able to run the last few days. Almost like (besides the general discomfort) I can run at all. Well this is obviously worrying me with just over a month before I leave. Has anyone had this happen and I so how did you get over this? I appreciate all help. Thank you so much

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Injury avoidance and to some extent treatment involves stretches. I do some of the most stupid training imaginable and get away with it because I always stretch, for those more sensible it is equally invaluable.
There are a number of simple expressions to remember too when looking at exercise, one here is warm up to stretch don't stretch to warm up. Basically do some initial gentle activity then do short 5 second stretches before starting your run. Do longer stretches at the end.

The other thing is your running technique. Below are a few things that can cause issues when running.
Keep those knees up. Whoever first said this needs to be dropped repeatedly from a first story window until they realise that impact from height is not a good idea. An efficient and sensible running style involves the feet staying close to the ground so you land with the minimum impact possible.
Direction, everything needs to be moving forward and back as much as practical. After all you are not running side to side so your feet and/or arms doing so is wasting energy and risking injury. This was my running error and correcting it made me quicker and has meant no injuries even after adding a third of my original bodyweight.
Check your shoes. Initially for the strike pattern. Most of us have a good one but if you are one of the few who don't get some insoles or shoes to help this. Most wear should be on the outer heals, then big toe and there should be moderate wear going along the outer side, not the edge, up to the ball of your foot, then across the ball to your big toe. Also be sure the shoes give support where you need it but not where you don't. I am light on my heels and move smoothly. It took me a while to recover a year of so ago after buying a set of shoes with too much arch support and I know not to get something to soft in the heal as it messes with my form. If you are heavier on the heal etc. find the footwear to match, you may run perfectly but if your shoes don't work with your style it is an issue.

 

[Albert Smith]

Keep in mind that the problem you are suffering is very common not only for the beginners but also for those who has been running for years. So there is nothing to worry about that. I have been running for 6 years and this type of problem has been reappearing in my life quite often. But I know some sorts of exercise that actually help me lessen my pain. It does not mean I am completely out from this problem but it does mean that this type of pain does hamper my body seriously.

Now I would like to tell you some steps that would help you to get rid of from this type of pain especially in your thigh, calves and some others parts of your leg.

• Did you ever apply ice pack. If not then apply an ice pack to areas where you experience soreness. To help the ice pack stay on the thigh, place the covered ice pack on the sore area and wrap an athletic bandage around the thigh and ice pack to help it stay in place.

• If you have been feeling sore in minor way then massage the affected area. Sports massage techniques for the thigh include pushing your hands from the knee up the thigh toward your hips to relieve muscle tension. You need to do it carefully.

• Try to elevate your leg by placing pillows underneath your heel. This helps to relieve inflammation by sending more blood flow from the thigh to reduce swelling.

• Try to take a non-steroidal anti –inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which can reduce swelling and minimize pain. Take these as directed until pain subsides.

Those are all the simple steps you may follow. But if you have been feeling for severe pain then what you really need to do. I would like to suggest you that you need to refrain from exercising until your muscle soreness subsides. Exercising on extremely sore muscle can contribute to increased high risk for muscle and strain.