swollen legs from running?

[Alysa]

I'm sorry if I am posting in the wrong place but I have been searching online everywhere and am not having any luck and thought perhaps a WISH friend might have experienced this. I have started training for the Minnie with my sister after being away from running for almost 3 years with the birth of my son. I am on my 8th run now and things are going well - I just completed a great 8K run. Hard but not too hard. I was adding about a km every run but all of a sudden my legs are swelling up at the end of the night. I have never had this happen to me before except twice in the last month of both my pregnancies. I am going to book a doctor's appointment tomorrow but has anyone had anything like this happen and or know the reason why? I am not having trouble with the running or breathing and am spending a lot of time stretching... ideas?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Caitsmama]

I can't help, as i am a newbie to running, but wanted to say Hi - since i am also doing the Minnie (the 5k) in May..

 

[Alysa]

lovely - where are you staying!?
I could only get an appointment for myself for the 28th with my doctor so I am wondering if I should just continue running. Nothing hurts - it's just strange swelling - I better not be pregnant again - he he!

 

[Caitsmama]

I am staying at POR - it is actually me , my sis, my mom, my MIL, and my dd going.. me and my mom are doing the 5k and my sis is doing the 15k - and my MIL and my dd are just going to cheer on! LOL

 

[bridgetgabbie]

I would definitely talk to your doctor but I have had my legs swell after a long run. After my long runs, my tighter pants are too tight the next day as my legs are swelled up. If I stretch a lot the day of the run, I avoid the swelling mostly. I can have a 3+ pound weight gain on the days my legs swell. Good luck. Running gets easier and more enjoyable the longer you do it. I started in April and am addicted. I just ran a 10 mile race this past weekend, but have ran 13 so far in my training.

Robin

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I am wondering what you doc advised today?

I have extremities swell after a bit. I may move this thread to the events side where there are many more folks who run/walk and probably will have additional info.

 

[Alysa]

Thanks everyone,
I skipped my run last night and really missed it but I was still stiff (not much swelling though!) I am just trying to drink a lot of water. My appointment is not until the 28th but as soon as I find out what it could be I will post. I can't wait until then to run so if everything is okay I am going to go out tomorrow. I will try lots more stretches in advance and afterwards - thanks for the advice bridgetgabbie!

Caitsmama - have a great time at the race - I am going with my sister, daughter and Mum, we're staying at the AKL. We wll be in the Marian Mustard's Minnies 15k sister team. Say hi if you see us!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I've moved your thread to the Events side of WISH.

Welcome here!

I just know that there are several here who could offer great advice to you.

 

[Goofyin08forErica]

No idea what causes the swelling

I am interested in what your doctor says as my lower legs and hands swell during my lsd's.

Erica

 

[Alysa]

Hi Lily
thanks for moving my post! As I wrote in my PM, on my Friday night run I really hurt my foot - my Plantar Fasciitis I think - and I'd love any help or suggestions. Perhaps they are connected? I don't know, I have never hurt myself running before. It was killing Saturday but it feels much better today. Only a slight pinch, but still slightly swollen legs and knees. I read that I need to ease back on distance and hill work. I really miss my runs already though. I'd love to know how long I should give this pain to get better, as well as what stretches would help and what to be aware of when I am running to avoid it in future.
Thanks again!
Alysa

Erica, I'll write as soon as I find out. All I know is that all my pants are getting tight in the upper legs - I didn't start running to have to buy LARGER pants!

 

[ultramickeymouse]

If I am not mistaken, Electrolyte imbalance can cause this. I have seen this before at ultra especially.

What do you drink/ don't drink?

 

[Alysa]

Electrolyte imbalance can cause this. I have seen this before at ultra especially.

Well, I just read that this can be more common in vegetarians? And I am one. What is ultra and what was suggested to help? I just drink water - actually pretty much all day with tea in the morning and milk for dinner. Maybe one juice a day, never any pop, crystal light or coffee, nothing else really.
Would a gatoraide type product help this?

 

[ultramickeymouse]

You need to have some type of drink other than water. You need something other than water(etc).

BTW , ultras are races 50K or greater.