Running niggles

[Thefrugalfoodie]

I did my first ever C25K run on Saturday and I still ache?? What's that all about?? It's now Thursday, will it ever ease??I really want to get back on it, I'm 52 and this is my first time running in a long time.

[Austriafan]

Hi

I’m now on week 3,keep going I remember just how bad my legs were on week one,I’m 56 and like you haven’t run in a long time but it definitely got better for me halfway through the week 2 runs. Do you do the warm up and cool down that’s on the app?

Keep going it really does get better soon! 🙂

[Beachcomber66 Graduate]

Hi there. The experts on this forum will respond to you fully on this, but I thought I would just add a word as someone who started running when I was a bit older; 66 to be exact!

I had all sorts of aches and pains when I started, and I thought every one of them was likely to see the end of my crazy attempt to take up running so late in life; but they didn’t. Our muscles, tendons and ligaments soon learn who is boss and they get on board! There are ways to help that process along, which people will mention, but be assured, what you are feeling now is what many of us have felt, and it passes. The prizes at the end of this; health, fitness, and new friends acquired as you progress, are well worth the discomfort you feel now. Sooner rather than later there will be an “ah, this is what all of the fuss is about” moment when you experience that end of run high. You can do this.👍

[mrrun Graduate]

You are using groups of muscles that you haven’t used in a while. That hurts. Bones, tendons, ligaments? That hurts too. I busted my knee and ankle right at the beginning because l was too eager, l wore good shoes but not suitable for my feet and l went faster and harder than l should’ve done. And l didn’t stretch at all. That combo leads to pain and pain then leads to injuries. If you’re sensible, aware of your abilities and if you slowly ease yourself into running you’ll reap massive benefits later on. Discomfort will go, you’ll get stronger and more resilient and you’ll feel better than most guys of your age. Just stick with it and give it a proper go.

[nowster Graduate]

One thing about post-exercise soreness I read last week...

- If you can point to one spot where it hurts, you've probably injured yourself.

- If it's spread over a larger area, it's probably just general muscle soreness.

There's no stigma with taking your sweet time starting off. It took me about three months (and as many starts) from my first C25K run attempt to me actually getting into the plan properly.

If necessary, do some brisk walks of about half an hour spread over a week or so before starting running again, just to get those legs moving.

Never skip the warm up and cool down walks that form part of a C25K workout.

Drink enough. If your pee is getting noticeably darker, that's not going to help things.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

When was the last time you did any kind of running or anything that involved running?

[Thefrugalfoodie in reply to John_W]

No idea John, but it's a long time ago 🤔

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Thefrugalfoodie]

... there's the answer to your question 😎

[Jell6 Graduate]

I did 2 and 1/2 hours of gardening (weeding) last week. I hate it!

I hobbled downstairs for at least 3 days after, and was still uncomfortable for another couple of days. Clearly my gardening muscles are different to my running ones!!

Well done for starting this, you'll get there 🙃

[Never-too-old-run Graduate in reply to Jell6]

Just read an article on the Gardeners World forum which actually advises a stretching workout before you do any gardening! Who would have thought? I usually get straight to it when I'm gardening and then can't walk properly for three days! Running is a cinch in comparison!! 😂

[Cmoi Graduate]

Just to add to the helpful replies already provided Thefrugalfoodie , if you haven't yet read it, I'd suggest you take a look at the How to run C25k FAQ: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

It's a long read, but there's lots of useful information and you don't need to take it all in at once, you can come back to it if, as and when you feel like it.