too heavy / muscular to RUN? PLEASE HELP. upset for 2 years.

hey, i've had a good history gone bad with running.
when i was younger and lighter, i was one of the fastest girls in my district.
but after my first injury, it all went down hill.

i did recover, but i always end up getting injured over, and over again, and more frequently as i grew.

could my weight be a problem? my best running days were when i was 105 pounds, but now at 125.
but it's not that i'm unhealthy. but i DO admit i feel too "chunky"..... i mean, compared to other asians/ family. my mom is taller than me but only 116 pounds

my weight-lifting routine is pretty much the same, but for some reason, i just weight more in general (in muscle, i THINK)

my current status:

FEMALE
asian
Height: 5ft 2in
weight: 125
running: off season for 2-3 weeks until spring track
*weight lifting*
3x a week:
with 20 pounds i do 100 squats, 30 shoulder press, 30 bicep curl, 30 "lifting weights from the middle to chin"
sometimes alont with weight, 100 toeraises/
during the weekdays (5days): 6Min. planks...................... and sometimes 50 pushups

is this too much lifting for a DISTANCE RUNNER expected to run atleast 6 miles a day?
or am i too HEAVY?

my main injury area are my shins

PLEASE HELP/ADVICE....... i've been very sad/upset over this for 2 whole years now.

You are NOT too heavy to run.

Your shoes and/gait may be the culprit if you are having shin splints -- that and lack of rest.  Your weightlifting is almost definitely not the problem, nor is your weight.

I'm also betting that while you may weigh more than your mother, your muscle mass is probably much more than hers -- it all evens out.

Shin splints sometimes take complete rest to repair.

i've been resting and i have rested- plenty of times. beieve me. it's the most annoying/difficult thing to do, especially in season.

and my shoes are perfectly fine, or atleast they should be. it's a "brooks" brand which gives ALOT of support.  

shinsplints.... are so annoying.
but i have also have "compartment syndrome".....
but when i run, i feel the difference between these two injuries, and nowadays, it is shinsplints that's been bothering me.

but it's good to know that theres nothing wrong with my weightlifting, thank you so much :)

hopefully i'm not too heavy... although  i "feel" bumpier on my runs..... i can literally feel the "pounding" much harder compared to before :(........

anybody else have suggestion?

anyone else have same problem??

I weight considerably more than you , struggle with running and lift weights. I was suffering from Shin splints and a mortons neuroma which causes my toes to go numb when I run. I was able to rest my shin splints and now wear compression socks. As for the neuroma, I had to have inserts made to relieve the pressure. I also wear Brooks & love them. I have found my weight lifting is actually helping my running, I am stronger and have built my endurance because of it. ( I follow crossfit)  I wouls still suggest finding a good running store and get fitted again....our bodies are always changing and it can't hurt. Happy Running !!!!

You are not too heavy to run. However, I imagine you can't run the kind of times you could run when you were at the lighter weight. I agree that the weightlifting is not the problem. Although if you want to keep that up I'd suggest getting a better routine. Take a look at the strength FAQ for ideas:

http://caloriecount.about.com/welcome-fitness -forum-faq-read-first-ft95908#2

Original Post by julielet:

I weight considerably more than you , struggle with running and lift weights. I was suffering from Shin splints and a mortons neuroma which causes my toes to go numb when I run. I was able to rest my shin splints and now wear compression socks. As for the neuroma, I had to have inserts made to relieve the pressure. I also wear Brooks & love them. I have found my weight lifting is actually helping my running, I am stronger and have built my endurance because of it. ( I follow crossfit)  I wouls still suggest finding a good running store and get fitted again....our bodies are always changing and it can't hurt. Happy Running !!!!

 i wear brooks as well! i DO love them, but i still get hurt :(

ok, so everyone's agreeing my weight/weightlifting is okay.......
so what should i change about my running so i dont get hurt?

Original Post by solid555:

You are not too heavy to run. However, I imagine you can't run the kind of times you could run when you were at the lighter weight. I agree that the weightlifting is not the problem. Although if you want to keep that up I'd suggest getting a better routine. Take a look at the strength FAQ for ideas:

http://caloriecount.about.com/welcome-fitness -forum-faq-read-first-ft95908#2

 yeah, my times are ALOTTTT slower nowadays :(

thanks for the link... it linked me to another link that sent me to something really helpful/useful/understanding. that one about stress fractures..

has anybody experienced the same thing as i have?

i tried 2 miles after 2.5 days of break, it didnt get any better :(

like what the..... i did get heavier though :(

One thing I am curious about, is why are you so focused on running? Is running something you really love and that is why you want to do it so badly? Or is it that you think that you have to run to get in shape? If running is causing you this much discomfort, there are plenty of other ways to get in great shape besides running. Running is just one method.

it's pretty common to have shin issues with a lot of running.

It seems to me that susceptibility may be genetic. When I ran cross country in high school, some people repeatedly just had more issues. Or were more prone to stress fractures. be it by diet or because of genetics.

What I was always taught was to do some shin splint preventative exercises. Stand about a foot and a half from a wall. Lean forward and put your arms on the wall. Pushup style. Raise yourself onto your toes ten times. Now move your feet so your toes are pointing outwards and repeat. Now point your toes inward and repeat. Do this everytime before you begin your run.

It seems to strengthen your legs a bit and prevent this type of injury.

You might also look into trying different kinds of shoes. My brother is a fairly serious runner, and he runs either barefoot or in huaraches. He made the switch a couple of years ago and it has helped him with a few nagging lower leg injuries. This is one of the main claims of barefoot proponents, that running barefoot results in a more natural gait and strengthens the foot and lower legs.

Original Post by todayyesterday:

100 toeraises

I dont know much about shin splints, but I seem to recall that one cause is strong calves relative to the muscles on the front of your lower legs.  It seems like toe raises might not be the best thing.  Have you done any research into what training you can do to avoid shin splints? 

Also, besides the injury, you seem to be bummed about your speed.  What kind of running training are you doing?

ETA:  My recollection is wrong if what pochoali was taught is correct...

the toe raises, because done at an angle against the wall, are to work your shin muscles. Your calves are involved, but your shin muscles get stronger.

Original Post by vyperman7:

One thing I am curious about, is why are you so focused on running? Is running something you really love and that is why you want to do it so badly? Or is it that you think that you have to run to get in shape? If running is causing you this much discomfort, there are plenty of other ways to get in great shape besides running. Running is just one method.

 i LOVE running

i have a PASSION for it.

i never got the same feeling as i do other sports/exercizes................

Original Post by solid555:

You might also look into trying different kinds of shoes. My brother is a fairly serious runner, and he runs either barefoot or in huaraches. He made the switch a couple of years ago and it has helped him with a few nagging lower leg injuries. This is one of the main claims of barefoot proponents, that running barefoot results in a more natural gait and strengthens the foot and lower legs.

 

i've been thinking of BAREFOOTRUNNING! lol. but what are huaraches?

how is he doing now? would he suggest it to anyone like me? does it work?

so interested

Original Post by lcuconley:

Original Post by todayyesterday:

100 toeraises

 

I dont know much about shin splints, but I seem to recall that one cause is strong calves relative to the muscles on the front of your lower legs.  It seems like toe raises might not be the best thing.  Have you done any research into what training you can do to avoid shin splints? 

Also, besides the injury, you seem to be bummed about your speed.  What kind of running training are you doing?

ETA:  My recollection is wrong if what pochoali was taught is correct...

 haha... yeah, i thought the same about calves and shins stuff, but the doctor said it DOES help the shins....... so haha.

but..... my running training/ speed work is coached by my... coach.. who was supposed to be an olympic runner but just didnt want to, lol. trust me, his workouts 2-3 times a week sends people from my team to states competiton. but i DO believe my speed relates to my weight gain , shinsplints, compartment syndrome.. haha.  
but as for now, i havent been running.

losing those couple of pounds wouldnt hurt...... would it?

Original Post by todayyesterday:

i've been thinking of BAREFOOTRUNNING! lol. but what are huaraches?

how is he doing now? would he suggest it to anyone like me? does it work?

so interested

 

Huaraches are a leather Mexican sandal. In this case I am refering to ones worn by the Tarahumara, people from Northern Mexico who are famous for their long distance running. It is basically just a thin piece of leather that covers the bottom of your foot. My brother made me a pair in 10 minutes with simple leather tools. I'm not sure if you can buy them.

My brother loves running barefoot and will never go back. He has run several races in his huaraches, although I'm not sure of the distance. I also liked them, although I'm not much of a runner. Running barefoot is completely different from running in shoes, so if you want to try it, take it very easy at first. There are also some shoes you can buy that are closer to running barefoot than a regular shoe, like Vibram Five Fingers.