I used to run a mile a day to try to build up my speed and endurance to run longer distances, but something would always hurt. If it wasn't my ankles, it was my knees or my hips, or my feet, etc. I bought padding for my shoes, but they didn't help very much. I'm only 15, so I doubt it's any type of bone disease. I am currently in the middle of a growth spurt, would that have anything to do with it? Should I only run every certain amount of time?
Pains when running?
- Thread starter walkerneo
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Try tuning and tweeking the way you run, because it sounds like your biomechanincs might be the issue when you run. Pay attention, especially to the way your feet hit the ground as this is the source of the impact load on your body. Your joints are sore probably because the impact load is being absorbed by the soft tissue there and the repetitive impacting is really overloading them as well as your bodily frame.
As a suggestion, bend your knees more such that your thigh and buttock muscles work like shock absorbers to degrade the impact from your feet. Even better, run at a pace and gait that will ensure that the energy you spend moving your legs doesn't get wasted by harder impact of your feet but instead propel you forward.
The aim would be to experience more efficient and comfortable running. Hope this is helpful.
As a suggestion, bend your knees more such that your thigh and buttock muscles work like shock absorbers to degrade the impact from your feet. Even better, run at a pace and gait that will ensure that the energy you spend moving your legs doesn't get wasted by harder impact of your feet but instead propel you forward.
The aim would be to experience more efficient and comfortable running. Hope this is helpful.
Good running shoes that are fitted to you properly (not just size, but arch height etc) are incredibly important. I started getting shin spints horribly after a while. It was just the shoes. I had pretty much worn them out. I bought a new pair of the same brand and same style, bingo all better. I use the old ones to mow the lawn with now. 
Are you stretching properly and warming up? Tight muscles can cause you pain when running - I should know, I used to a get a burning pain in my calf muscles and my muscles would literally seize and cramp up. I now spend at least 5 minutes stretching properly and it really helps.
You could also try using a foam roller to roll your IT bands (outsides of your upper legs from hips to just above the knees), your anterior tibialis (front part of your lower leg, just outside of your shin), and using a tennis ball to roll the bottom of your foot. These are common tight areas for runners. Hopefully this will help.
One other thing that hasn't been mentioned is strengthening your muscles surrounding the impacted joints. I used to get hip and knee pain when I first started running so I assumed regardless of all the fancy shoes I bought that I just wasn't built to run. After giving up for years and doing low impact cardio and taking strength training classes 3 times a week I slowly started running again outdoors I found I could carry on long distances without pain in my joints.