This might be a bit random but I'm after anyone's opinions or theories, if there are any out there.

I've been what you might call a casual runner for some time now, but back in October I upped the frequency and distance of my runs to train for my first marathon.  I started to notice that I find it very difficult to focus my vision when I run, though to be honest I just figured that with all the jiggling around that comes with running that it was nothing unusual.

However, over the last couple of weeks I've started to notice that my vision (when not running) has deteriorated signifcantly - from near perfect vision to the point where I have to wear my partners glasses when driving now!  I will be getting my eyes checked out at my work yearly medical soon and I'm sure that it's just coincidence that my eyes are going at the same time I've increased my running, but I wondered if anyone out there had experienced the same thing, or had a theory as to why these two things may (or may not) be linked?

"Hi, i am new to the running world and need to find out if i have started off too "gung ho". I have been using the elliptical for about a year now and decided to begin running as something different. I purchased some Asics gel running shoes to get me on the right path. I have been running now for 3 weeks and noticed that when i went out tonight i could barely run due to the sharp pains in both knees and left ankle. The pain seems to be not really on the knee but the top of my tibia on the front inner side of my leg. I can feel the pain any time i bend my left  leg but not too much in the right. My ankle on the other hand just hurts when i put pressure on it when i run. I have been running every 3 days and go about 2.5 miles. I typically finish in about 30 mins. To me this seems like an easy pace but am puzzled as to why i have so much pain. Any suggestions? "

So to update on that one...i was told it was my shoes. So i took a 2 week  break then went to the local running store and was told my shoes were exacly what i should be wearing. The only thing the changed was adding an arch support. Well i went out for an easy 25 min run, running 1.5 mins then walking 1 min. By the end I could barely walk on my left knee. Does this mean that a Dr is in store to see if something is wrong?

 Went out last night was into a nice pace and had covered just under 3k when my left ankle just started to hurt.  It was that sore i had to stop and limp back.  No swelling though.  Got home and elevated it and popped some ice on it and this morning it really hurts to walk?

 I am reasonably new to running but have had a "gait" analysis done to make sure i have the right shoes.  Any one got any ideas how i can stop this in the future as i have my first event in March and then im doing the Manchester 10k in May?

Thanks

I have been running for a few years now  but have been sticking to a routine since May. In sept. I ran a half marathon and since then had decreased my mileage to 18-24 miles per week. Since the start of December I have not done a long run more than 6 miles; I just do 6 miles at least 3 times per week and then 4-6 miles the 4th running day. So basically, I haven't been increasing usage at all. Since mid-December I have gotten achy all over and no matter how much I stretch, my legs are always sore. I did Yoga in the past, so have been trying to do that more to stretch out, but it is not helping much. My hip flexors, quads, hamstrings, calves, and area around my Achilles tendon were all sore. My hips are the worse. My knees also have been hurting; yesterday I was going to do 6 but had to stop at 4 because I got sharp pains in my left hip and knee at 3.25 miles.I love running and don't want to just stop and lose all of the endurance I have worked for over the summer (I would like to do another half this summer). Any advice as to what could be going on?

 Also, I eat a healthy diet and drink LOTS of fluids (people tend to think I over do it sometimes), so I don't think dehydration is a problem.

     Also, before I started training I did a kick boxing video and did something to my knee. It doesn't hurt really bad, just a little when I stand on just that leg while its bent, and sometimes I'll stumble from sudden weakness in that knee. I don't think whatever is wrong is too serious. But I'm wondering if I need to stop doing physical activity for a couple days. (I don't want too)

     And thirdly, how do I know if I need new shoes or not? I've had my running shoes for a LONG time now, they dont seem too uncomfortable but I dont want to get hurt if they ar worn out. What are the warning signs of over use?

I was off work Tuesday to Friday. Symptoms were shiveriness, bad head, streaming nose, very chesty cough, occasional aching limbs, general feeling of being very weak and needing to sleep all the time. No real fever, so not the worst ever flu, but enough to make me feel pretty fed up after a few days of it.

I recovered a bit by Friday night, but was still feeling weak and miserable over the weekend. I've been in to work today, Monday (which was actually easier than looking after the kids at the weekend!!), but I'm still not 100%. Driving home I felt like you do when you are very close to exhaustion - only 1 second out of 2 manages to get past your eyes to your brain! - even though I had had plenty of sleep and wasn't really that tired.

Anyway, my question is, should I go for a run tomorrow? I normally do an easy run on Tuesday lunchtimes, maybe 5K at a 5m/K pace, which at this time of year is enough to keep me warm but not sweaty with exertion. Is it a good idea to fight the tail of the flu with a gentle run? Or is it best to leave it and recover back to full strength first?

I'm also thinking it could be shin splints as I'm not wearing proper running trainers and I'm running on roads. Should I book another appointment with my GP?

Many thanks in advance

Thanks for the help

So is there a "stat" we can use to measure how much we save by exercising? Perhaps every day we run/swim/cycle, we reduce our chance of heart attack by 0.01%? Hmm...after 10,000 days of exercise, we'd have a negative percent chance of heart attack...that doesn't make sense.

Any thoughts?

For the most part, the pain is greatest when I am getting up from the sitting position.  It actually totally debilitates me for about 15 seconds and then its almost like it disappears while I am in the standing position.   It's like it locks up when sitting and takes a few seconds to unlock.    Hard to explain really but maybe someone out there can relate. 

 I have been able to continue to do slow runs, but I have consciously been shortening my stride so as to not put additional strain on it. And it stinks doing that-totally threw me off the good running vibe I once had.  One thing I ran across on the internet was "piriformis syndrome."   Reading up on that, it sort of sounds like that too. I just don't know. 

For now, I've decided to shut down running altogether for about a week, work the stretches, take the pain relievers and work the ice pack. The pain is coming from behind the fatty part of the buttocks so its hard to even get at. I am contemplating re-acquainting myself if a chiropractor but not sure they could do anything.  I would consider a deep tissue massage but a little embarrassed by the target area.  

Any similar experiences out there? Any ideas? 

Spare me the 'a good diet makes you feel better'. And please don't describe what a good diet is (not yet anyway).

Why is it that the 20g of protein, 20g of carbs and 5g of fat I would get from eating a burrito at Taco Bell is worse than the 20g of protein, 20g of carbs and 5g of fat I would get from eating a sandwich at home? (these numbers are estimates, but you get the idea of what I am saying)

Can anyone explain to me how eating "a good diet" and getting the nutrients you need is better than eating "a bad diet" and getting the nutrients you need? I've been hung up on this for a long time, it seems so intuitive to me that there is no difference, but if you believe what the experts say, then my view is wrong.

I'm interested in maintaining a correct knowledge base, so please enlighten me. (and please be prepared for questions and possible criticisms)

can anyone advise me please?

 I broke a  metatarsal in my right foot a month ago. Not by running although running after the initial minor injury when I didn't realise what I'd done didn't help! The cast is due to come off in about 10 days and I've been told by the consulatant that I might be able to run again 4 weeks after that but I'll have to take it very easy and see how it goes.

 I'm 43 and in the peri-menopause and my GP is concerned that reduced bone density might have contributed to the inital break. I have had some bloods taken to find out if I am also hyperthyroid which might also result in reduction in bone density. Most older runners I know seem to assume I will not go back to running because of the risk of injuring myself again.

Before the break I was running between 6 and 8 miles 3 times a week and I am lost without it.  I couldn't get my GP to understand just how important it is to me.

 What are the chances of my not being able to get back to running? I have heard that running is helpful for increasing bone density but I am worried that I will damage my foot again.

 I think I may be panicking unduly but has anyone got experience of an injury like this?