Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm very frustrated and the pain is growing. When I run on the treadmill the only issue I have is being old and over weight. On Saturday's run, I felt fine except for not being use to running on the street for a couple of years. I spent 21 years in the military being use to running and never had any issues except for muscle soreness. In the last year or so since I retired from the Military, I first noticed a small pain in my lower back as if it needs to be stretched out. It has progressively gotten worse.
On Saturdays run, I felt pretty good and didnt have the lower back pain, or at least it wasnt as noticable as usual. Today when I went to do my scheduled 25 minute run, after a quarter mile on the road, my back started into a deep pain. I did stretch for approx 10 minutes prior to starting my run. The pain would subside if I stopped runnning and walked for a moment. But after another 100 yards or so, the pain would progress again to a point where I couldnt run anymore. Id repeat the walking, then run, then walk and so on.
My question is this:
Am I creating an injury to my back by continuing each time I start running again? Or is this psychosymatic am Im dreaming the whole thing up? Could it be my old shoes?? my weight? (Im 6'00" and weigh 220).
Am I just doomed to not being able to fulfill my marathon dream? I want to fix this and get back to training. Seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please help DOC!!!!!! Exercises?? Stretches???? Anything!!!!!!

I'm so glad to hear someone else is having this problem. I'm not to this as a 57 yr. old, 175 lb. SWF and my lower back on the right side is so sore, I can barely climb stairs. I'm trying so hard to get back into the "fitness" mode and I'm beginning to think I'm too old for this and my body just isn't cooperating. I do stretch very well before and after I run. I did 20 minutes on the treadmill on Monday and I had to rest yesterday because I couldn't more. Do I dare step on that treadmill again this evening, or hold off?

Sorry to hear about your back pain, but glad you are seeking help early to find answers. Clearwater
Chiropractic is at the Portland Fit site (following the run)with several doctors available for consultation. I would definately check with the Doc's to rule out any obvious causes, (bad shoes, leg length discrepency, etc.) Dave or Paula, (from Portland Running and Walking Company) are also on site and are good people to watch you walk/run a few steps to check out your running economy/biomechanics, foot placement.
I am sure the Doc's can give you a few strengthening/stretching activities than can help considerably, unless you back needs mechancal intervention.
(I suffered through several months of training several years back with a number of pain issues in my hip, leg and back, which were immediately alieviated by one treatment. It does tend to make one a believer!)
JR-Yellow coach

Hey Coach,
Thanks for the encouragement. As I said, I use to run every day for three miles while in the Marines, but Since retirement in 2003, I havent done much at all and now have pains I never thought possible. I swear Im not looking for a way out, on the contrary, I want to cross that line just as much as any one. I am going to look into the Doc's on Saturday and see what they say. I ran on the treadmill last night and had the incline at 2.0. and the speed higher than I normally go, (glutton for punishment) and had no back pain, so its got to be something with my style, shoes, or something like that. I loof forward to being with the group the whole way. Even if I have to crawl for the next 6 months.

fltopp1,
I am sorry to hear about your troubles. However, I am stoked on your determination and dedication. Answer me a few a questions and we can get a head start on fixing this problem. Where is the location of the pain? Is it center low back at the sacrum? Is it greater on the left or right? Do you have any radiation of pain into the lower limbs like the glutes, hamstrings or below the knee? Any numbness, tingling or weakness? Any history of injuries to the area?
I figure that you are a little bit over your ideal weight and have become a little deconditioned since you retired, but this sounds a bit more serious than the average unconditioned muscle soreness. Get back to me if you can, otherwise I'll see you out there on Sat.

As for the other post by the 57 y.o. woman: use ice for 10-20 on the right side low back and then rest an hour and repeat. Try to stretch between icings. Minimal Ibuprofen use may be helpful (under 1200 mg/day for no more than 5 days). Stop by the tent on Sat. and we can evaluate you for a leg length difference and flat feet.
Cheers,
Dr. Jake

Hello Doc and thanks for the help.
Regarding the questions you asked, I have always been around 190 but was always in good shape and never had any prior injuries to my back at all. Now I'm around 235. I'm all for fixing this problem believe me. As I mentioned, I don't seem to be having the pain when running on a treadmill any where near what I had Monday running on the road. On the treadmill I dont have to stop and can run for 40 minutes non stop at a decent pace, with the incline on 1.5 Monday I ran at a track, and after half a mile I was really feeling a pain in the lower back which seemed to be centered in the middle just above the butt (what feels like the base of the spine) . The pain would progress almost to the point where it would nearly take my breath away. The pain doesnt travel to any other area as you mentioned at all. After walking for a moment the pain would subside, then I'd run some more but after another lap or two, the pain was back. Although I stretched prior, I attempted to stretch out even more thinking maybe I didnt stretch enough before the first two laps. (10 minutes of stretching before starting) . I am going to call your office tomorrow and possibly set up an appointment after speaking to my insurance regarding coverage. I really want to know what to do to fix my problem. I'm frustrated because I dont understand why it hurts outside versus no pain when on a treadmill. The only thing I can think of is my running style. Thanks again for asking and I look forward to working with you in the future. Semper Fidelis!

Dr. Jake, this is from the 57 y.o woman; I appreciate your quick response. After work, I've been going straight home, soaking in a hot tub (with bubbles of course) and that seems to have helped. I didn't think about ice, I seem to go for the heat! After four days of this tub, at least now I have more mobility. The unfortunate part is that I've eliminated any treadmill or walking at any distance because it's too painful. Now my body will have to go through all the aches & pains of starting over...ugh Many thanks for the advice and I'll try your suggestion. I'll be there tomorrow and I'll stop by the tent to see you.

Hey Sharon,
How is everything going. Have you been able to resume running/walking again? Did I get a chance to chat with you on Sunday? Let me know how things are going?
Dr Jake