Aching legs

Question
QUESTION: Recently, my legs start to ache almost immediately after I start running. It doesn't matter if I run 6 miles or 15, at the end I feel like I need to jump in ice water for relief. I'm not a new runner and I haven't increased my mileage.  I've been training for marathons for a while now so shouldn't my legs be conditioned to tolerate distance, impact, speed, etc?

ANSWER: Hi Annie
I would think your legs would tolerate the training,but i would really need more info on your height weight age how long you have been running past and present and your present training program in order to make come up with an idea what it might be..You can trace most problems with 98% accuracy by tracing back in your training for something that wasn't quite right or you just blew it off.Get me this info and we will pick it up from here.

All the best

John

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I thought you might ask me for more information (: I'm 33 yo, 5'5, 133 lbs. I've been running regularly for 3 1/2 years.  Initially I maintained 16-20 miles a week. Then, 17 months ago I started training for races.  In that time I've completed 1 full marathon, 7 half marathons and multiple 10k and 5ks. Since June, I've ran 3 half's. I am currently training for another full marathon which is scheduled to take place in October.  Currently I run 6-8 miles on Mon, Wed and Thurs, 13+ on Saturdays and cross train on Tuesdays. My total weekly mileage is 30 to 40 miles. My training also includes speed and hill workouts once or twice a week. Also, I should mention it's not my calves that are hurting me but my quadriceps.  It doesn't feel like an injury... they feel sore and fatigued.

Answer
Hi Annie
It appears to me that your body(quads)etc is not recovering from the schedule of your workouts and you don't mention where you insert the speed and hill repeats which just compounds the intensity.You did say recently they started to ache which gives me a solid clue to not recovering,the 98% i mentionedI.This was coming on for a while and you didn't recognize the symptoms.The symptoms in over training and recovery can be very suttle and with out a lot of knowledge in cause and effect relationship of workouts it would be very easy not to recognize this coming on.It is not serious i think but the answer and the way to correct this situation is you have to totally rearange your schedule of workouts to allow for a lot more recovery between specific workout efforts.If you have other questions annie just get in touch.

All the best

John