Heck of a way to start out...

by James H.
(St. Charles, MO.)

Back in early August I decided I was going to get into running. I haven't done any serious running since high school and I wanted to do something that got me out into the outdoors, and maybe even complete a half marathon.

After some reading and research I went to my local running store, voted one of the best. I talked to a girl who was also a runner and she calculted my gait, arch (or lack there-of) and running style. It was a great experience, and I ended up buying some good shoes and also a pair of arch supports.

I started light, walking first in my neighborhood which has some hills and equals about a mile in one lap. My foot would hurt quit a bit from the arch supports. But I was told that would be natural as my foot was adapting to the support. I moved up to about a 2-3 mile walk every morning and was starting to enjoy the early morning peace.

About 3 weeks into my walks (no running yet) my left knee started to hurt and I stopped walking (I read that you should stop the minute you feel knee pain). Needless to say for the next 4 weeks I was sleeping with my knee elevated and had to wear a brace. It was hard to stand with any pressure on my knee. Its now December and I'm able to walk regularly, but as soon as I start to jog, the knee pain starts to come back. I took out the orthotics and have felt better. But now I'm afraid to "step it up" since I dont know if the pain will return or if it will make it worse.

I really want to build up to run. I still want to complete a half marathon and not just by walking the whole thing. Any advice?!

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