Should I or Shouldn't I..?

[Razouski]

After a disastrous attempt last Monday when I ended up with cramp well before 5km, and then the disaster a week before that when I was almost completely incapacitated with cramp I am not sure what to do. I've pretty much been on the ic for two weeks and I'm not happy there.

I've stopped taking the tablets which seemed to be causing some of the problems, I'm trying to keep hydrated and exercised, but now I'm a bit anxious about running tomorrow.

We've had a lovely weekend - went to the New Forest on Thursday and had a really enjoyable walk. It was supposed to be 13k but ended up being nearer 20. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but Mr R was moaning towards the end. I then spent a while in the spa area of the hotel, in the jacuzzi, sauna and finished off with 20 lengths of the pool.

The following day we went to stay with friends in Ringwood and had a lovely 6.5 km walk with them at Hengistbury Head, which is really beautiful. I was even able to see aliboo70 Land across the `solent (the Isle of Wight). And then yesterday they treated us to a bike ride from Boscombe to Studland Bay and Old Harry and back again. Mr R and I thought we were going for an hours leisurely ride, but it took a lot longer, and we actually covered 40km.

So today I've had a rest day (just sat in the car while Mr R drove us home), but I'm now wondering what I should do tomorrow. I feel that I should be well enough to run, but I'm feeling pretty anxious about it. I don't know if I should run, or how far to run (I was on Week 4 of Sam Murphy's Bridge to 10k before all this injury couch business) or whether I should play it safe and just have a short burst on the treadmill at the gym (which I haven't been on for absolute ages). Any advice would be welcomed.

I just need to get out and running again!

[Dunder2004 Graduate10]

You should certainly go for a run!

No surprise that you are lacking a bit of confidence given your various physical maladies so maybe consider making it an easy run. You could do worse than repeating one of the c25k interval sessions (maybe from week 5 or 6).

All the best.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Hi Raz, you are such an active lady doing all sorts of sporty things...😊

I think you could run ( outdoors as its quite nice now ) but maybe not a Sam Murphy one, just a 25 or 30 non stop to prove you still can?

Doing those much longer runs continously is tiring (ju-ju's plan seems to be a short, medium and long run each week) and can wear you out. I am building up some stamina with continous runs before tackling the Sam ones again.

Whatever you decide, good luck and enjoy it.😊xxx

[AnneDroid Graduate10]

That does sound like a great weekend!

I'd have a go running but I'm not a doctor or sports physio!

I guess if you choose a route that doesn't take you too far from home you could always stop early more easily if you had to...

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Being beset with injuries is such an annoyance and yes it knocks the confidence, I really sympathise. I would go out running but don't set any pace or distance goals. Take it easy and add no pressure on yourself. If you run well then that will be a great outcome. If it doesn't go well you have at least gone out and tried. Better to try than feel bad about not going out at all in my experience. Note to self to try my own suggestions lol.

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate10]

Just run. No programme. Slow and steady for 30 mins. From what you've described you should be physically up to it, all that walking and cycling with no sign of cramp. You just need to get your confidence back and that means getting out there without any pressure. Good luck with whatever you choose and let us know the results!

[Razouski]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll attempt a slow gentle 30 minute run and see how it goes. 😏

[aliboo70 Graduate10]

Wow what a busy weekend! Thanks for the mention and greetings from aliboo land! 😆

I'm thinking just try a short run and see how it goes without going too fast or setting a goal. See how everything feels and take it from there. Hope all goes well for you😊ps I was at college in Boscombe and it's lovely all round there!

[JoolieB1 Graduate10]

Where is the cramp? About 4 months after graduation, I had moved up to a long run each week of 10k and I started getting a severe cramps pain in my calves. Still no idea what started this but every time I ran it was unbearable. I was fine walking around but couldn't run for any distance before it came on and I had to walk which was the only thing that relieved it. I had a period of around 4 weeks with it. I hate doing intervals as I expect to just run but I started to run for 100 double paces, then walk for 100 and repeated this for my 5k distances. This allowed me to keep running but the walk breaks allowed me to recover. I sometimes ran for 150, walked for 100 if it felt ok and even noticed when running, I could go a bit faster if my legs felt ok. Eventually, as suddenly as it started, my legs were fine. I used my fingers to keep count as I moved along, worked for me. I am now back to "normal" with no further issues

[Razouski in reply to JoolieB1]

Thanks JoolieB1 , I might give this a go if things don't improve.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate10]

Oh yes, do go! Can you plan a route that you can keep running for 30 mins, or cut short if you need to? Best of luck xx