Runners, I need your advice

Hello everyone,

I need your advice. I have been running a minimum of 1 hour 5 days a week for about two weeks, this being my third. I think it is making a difference in my weigh.  My goal is not only to lose weight but run a marathon. I have some problems though. But I have a problem:  a headache (goes up my head and pulsates; other times like when I get up, it is just a one time pain) on my right side due to overstraining my neck. At least that's what I think and what the Dr. tells me. She told me not to do any exercise for a week and gave me anti inflammatory meds. I'm taking a pill a day (not two as told) but I did not stop running. Not after the gains I've made.

Have you experienced this? How do you deal with the neck hurting? 

I listen to my doctor before my temporary injury becomes permanent. :(

I'm off exercise for a week due to pulled muscle. And I didn't even see a doctor.

I have had issues with headaches and running, although I am prone to headaches in general. I do find that when I'm dehydrated it happens or if I haven't had coffee...

definitely drinking water helps, but since you mentioned your neck hurting, could it possibly be a way you're sleeping on it? Stretching really well after runs also keeps me from having problem spots. I usually stretch my neck by slowing pulling it with the opposite hand.

otherwise I might check runnersworld.com or active.com's running section. They're usually pretty good about tips. good luck and congratulations on the consistant running!

I used to get a lot of aching and tension in my shoulders and neck when I ran. 

Hard to tell if this might apply to you, but it's important to keep the neck and shoulders relaxed and loose while running.  Clenching your fists, hunching shoulders, and being stiff can aggravate neck pain and cause headaches. 

Also, --- if you were not a runner before, you may be starting out a bit strong. 

Obviously I don't know what kind of shape you are in, or how hard you are pushing yourself, but going from no running to running 5 times a week for an hour is likely tooo much too fast. 

The Dr. mentioned water, so yes  I have to drink two quarts a day. I don't think it is my sleeping position. My wife also started running a few laps and she had the area around her neck hurting. I notice that as I run, even though I try to relax, I feel this area tensing up.  I stop after my half way mark to stretch and relax for a bit.  My headaches happen mostly when I am laying down or sitting down, strangely never when I am running or even right after.  Here's what I am doing:

1. I try to be as relaxed as possible when running

2. I stop after my halfway point and do to more stops after this to stretch and relax my muscles.

3. I am trying to drink two liters of water

4. I am taking an anti inflammatory prescription drug

5. I have neck massages with a machine that I bought

Any other ideas?

oh I forgot, I am also taking half of a medication to relax the muscle. I take  this before going to bed because it causes drowsiness. The Dr. was going to give me these, but I had them prescribed before. I am getting better but I just want to know if this happens to others or is it just me and my body issues.

If you can feel the area tensing up as you run, then I thnk you need to come up with some way of getting it relaxed.

When I would feel my shoulders starting to tense I would purposefully, mentally shove them down.  I would try to keep my hands in a relaxed position as well.

You may need to train yourself to relax them.  Maybe do a mental check at self-prescribed intervals ((maybe every 1/4 mile?) to see if you are tensing or clenching.  If you are I would stop and shake/stretch things out immediately and then get started again. 

My thinking is that if you wait until you're 1/2 way through your run, then you've been running tense for a long time.  You need to "nip it in the bud" so that you stop and correct yourself as soom as you start tensing up. 

I'm not sure about massages with a machine.  I use a foam roller for self-massage.  It works really well. 

Also, if you reposted in the fitness forum, you would likely get a bunch more responses. 

I know there are some "real" runners over there. 

A few things to consider:

1. Running is all about conditioning.  If you have never run and are three weeks into a new program (or have just started after a layoff) I would say that you are going too hard.  You may be well conditioned from weight training, but the pressures from running are impact related and it will take a while for your cartlidge and ligaments to catch up with your aerobic and strength abilities.   

2.  Build your distance and endurance slowly over time.  If a marathon is your goal find a new runner training plan to help you focus your exercise and give you a plan.  If you do not give your body a chance to recover after these runs then you will not make it to the starting line.

3.  Check your shoes.  Are you wearing running shoes?  If not the pain in your neck may be associated with the lack of support on your feet.  It is vital to have the right kind of shoes for training in order to prevent injury. It is true, running shoes for running only.

happy running.

I would recommend going to a running store and have them make sure you are wearing the correct shoes. You  might be rolling your foot in ward to much which could cause your neck to hurt. Get it checked out.

I think it sounds like you need a good chiropractor.  Get your spine aligned and it will be much easier to follow the very good advice you have been given above.

V.

Thank you all for your opinions.  

I do agree I am going a bit fast but I think I am getting adjusted. Today was a good day, hardly any headache through out the day and I ran 8 miles. I am working on strengthening my shoulder and neck. I am wearing running shoes, I have Asics and they are great. I bought Spiras first and they were killing my heels so I gave them up.

I also have cowboy legs, my crooked legs may have something to do with my knee pain on my right leg and perhaps my neck. I think the weight falls more on my right than my left so I have began to put more support on my left.

Chiropractor? Yeah, I might eventually. I have thought that maybe my spine is not alined. 

Pounding head, outside of the fact you are running is normally one of two things, dehydration or high blood pressure.  The way to eliminate high blood pressure as the problem is this - when you get the pounding, squeeze a finger, if it hurts and starts throbbing you probably have high blood pressure and should consult your doctor.

May not be this and just be relating to how you are running but worth checking

have you think about yoga, do 30-60 mins of yoga 3-4 times per week so you can strenght your core muscles and have more support on your bones and ligaments.

you will lear how to relax your neck muscles as well.

Talking with a physical therapist is also a great option, especially if you are looking at doing a marathon. During my marathon training I was having some assorted pain but saw a physical therapist who helped me establish a good stretching plan and if you have any foot pain they can help fit you for orthotics, which I feel like help align not just your feet, but your whole body. Also, when you are running so much is important to have proper shoes. 

Sorry if this is off track at all, but it could be helpful. Good luck with your race! Do you have a certain marathon in mind? 

thank you toridi, they are all good suggestions. I have to consider them. I will probably be going to a chiropractor first and go from there.  I don't have any marathon in mind, I want to get as close as I can to 26 miles, maybe 15 then I will start looking.

Does yoga really work? I always start as a skeptic till proven wrong.

Yes, yoga really does work...or at the very least help.

I used to have a really sore back from my backpack, and occasionally running when I have the time. Doing about 10 minutes of yoga every morning when I wake up has all but eliminated that. Mind you, it will take a few days for the effects to start to show. Stretching is important!