[Stevi-rocks]

I have been slowly increasing my exercise routine over the past 7 weeks. I started by walking, powerwalking, PW w/ weights and now I have begun to run. Yesterday I ran 2 of my 3.3 miles with three walking intervals. I just started running without thinking so I know my body was ready. I was exstatic...until I went to bed and my left ankle would not stop THROBBING and aching. My right is sore but not nearly as bad as the left. I had to put an ice pack on the left just to go to sleep last night. I must mention my feet are COMPLETELY FLAT. Today I am limping and hobbling around. My DH was so proud he told me to go buy some quality running shoes and a arm strap iPod nano today but now I'm leary....I really enjoy running but will I be able to continue? Am I still too heavy? Am I destined to just walk bcuz of my feet? Any ideas how I might be able to run painlessly?

[Pachyderm]

If you have flat feet you NEED good quality supportive running shoes. Can you find a specialist running store that will watch you run and analyse your style so that they can find you the right shoe? That is what you really need. People with flat feet can run, so don't be afraid there, but without the right shoes, your feet are transferring the pounding energy into the wrong places when you run, and this can give you ankle, knee, hip and back problems.

Ladies on here with a similar or greater weight have run so it is not necessarily your weight that is the problem. Take your DH's advice and get some good shoes, then if you still have problems think again.

Also, I don't know how long you have been running, but 3 miles for a beginner seems like an awful lot. I've been running for over 5 weeks, and I am still doing walk/jog intervals, with my longest running time at only 5 minutes. My body feels like it could do more, but we have to be careful and give time for our bones and joints to catch up.

I hope you get your pain sorted out and good luck on the running!

[sierra_ttw]

Yup - definitely go get some good shoes. I have relatively flat feet (I flattened them out by wearing nothing but flip-flops for three months!), and I need really good shoes in order to run without it being painful. You should be able to find a specialist store around you that sells shoes for those of us whose feet are a little different - and then you'll be back out and running in no time. I should say, though, that if the pain persists even with good shoes you should see someone about it - you may have injuries you didn't know about that just flared up when you started running. I went over a month with torn ligaments in my ankle from tripping one day, and just thought the pain was from exercising more. My physiotherapist was horrified that I'd waited so long to get it checked up, but it healed in a couple of weeks. Good luck!

[Stevi-rocks]

I re-worded my thread. I do have to have several walking intervals. And my total running distance was 2 miles. What are the names of some sport specialty stores in the US? Like a sporting goods store? Big Five? Sport Chalet?

[Meg]

I like Fleet Feet for shoes. They'll put you on a treadmill and videotape you walking and running to determine the correct shoes for you. I hurt my foot by wearing shoes that corrected for pronation, which it turns out I didn't have - I was clueless when I bought them (I also need a bigger size than I thought). They took the time to make sure I had exactly the right shoes and it makes all the difference in the world.

[almostheaven]

Here's a site that can give you some information on running gear: http://www.running4women.com/starting_out.php?subid=1

I ended up with aching feet and lots of corns and blisters. Getting a good pair of running shoes and water wicking socks stopped all that. And I started running when I was over 200 lbs, so your weight is not a problem.

[boarderchick]

In addition to shoes, be careful of increasing your run/walk ratio too quickly. The running gait is altogether different than walking, and you should not increase more than 10% of time or distance per week. Also, try and run on softer surfaces like trails. The worst place to run is on the sidewalk or on concrete. Asphalt is even softer than sidewalks. Everyone above is totally right about the importance of good footwear, in addition. Good luck!

[Stevi-rocks]

Thank you all so much. I found a specialty store locally and am going in tomorrow, as my feet no longer hurt. I'll be sure to take it a bit easier now!!