New runner with knee pain

Question
Three weeks ago I started running at home on my treadmill. Prior to this I hadn't run in years. I started off running about three quarters of a mile and then walking for 20 minutes. I steadily increased my distance so that I was running 2 and a half miles a few days ago. Well now my knees are very sore...to the point that I couldn't run today if I tried. I have no idea how to fix this problem and am afraid of it getting worse. How do I help myself to heal so that I can get back to running?

Answer
Well, lots of questions here and I can only speculate really. How long have you been running, first time in awhile, how long, etc...all these factors play into it. Normally, when individuals start running again, it takes the body time to get used to it, it's not easy, you can't just expect to be painless the second you get out there and get moving; your body needs to adjust to the new activity, soreness it's called. Chances are you are just very sore and need to rest before you fee that it's not too sore to continue running.

Pain is something attributed to running in some way, and should be expected. It's not an easy thing to run, outside, on a treadmill, or wherever you might go - it needs nurturing and your body needs to get used to it. Use ice and heat to help with the inflammation, and get out there once it doesn't feel too bad or sore.

If it continues to hurt more than a week, head to the doctor, could be something else wrong where you ended up hurting yourself.