Running Question: When I run, my ankles lock up, feel really tight, painful? How to rid of this problemo?

Question

I have been running for a few years and as most of you know, it is a very high maintenance sport. There are always little pains here and there that are usually tolerable but this is a new problem. I took a 2 month break and am trying to get back in the swing of things. Before I hit 1 mile I feel really tense in my ankle and shin area. I think it would help if I rotated and stretched my ankles for 15 minutes a day. Was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions?

Answer 1

Before you run soak your legs in hot water.

Answer 2

ya i had a similar type deal.

i run too, and it was the bottom of my foot that hurt. took some time off.

when i started up again i tried a couple of things.

i tried taping my ankles, but that is tough if you dont have a professional tape guy like in sports, becuase you will jsut mess up, and have more blisters than ever.

i actually just bought those running insoles for my feet, and it has cut down on the wear and tear of my feet.

alot actually,

and....

are you running on the street? that can be the main reason. try running on grass or dirt, it absorbes some of the shock that your shins and feet are getting.

so my best bet would be to run on grass and dirt with insoles.

and if it still hurts, well...... thats why they made those eliptical machines :)

Answer 3

i run alot too. and all my joints have the same thing. i asked my dad and he said arthritis runs through his side of the family. so i suggest to relax a while before running. i don't mean 5 minutes i mean for a long while.

Answer 4

Stop running.Do you bang your head against the wall?

Answer 5

That is an aftereffect of shinsplints. It's called an ankle lock. I advice that to relieve the pain, you try stationary jumps (jumping in place). That's what coaches tell their runners to do when said runners get an ankle lock.