Am I lucky or just lazy?

[Sybilw]

I can now run for 30 minutes but I see everyone talking about aches and stiffness after their runs. I’ve never had any of that so my question is - am I just lucky / not pushing myself / not got the right technique?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

I think if you have built up slowly and do your warm ups and stretches and some rest day non impact exercise ..then it should be fine... I never have aches and pains..just keep running into the IC .

I think you have exactly the right technique.. running and enjoying and feeling fine

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss! I’ve always been able to keep going so although aerobic activity was foreign to me maybe that stood me in good stead. Had a good consolidation run today. Hope the IC doesn’t keep you too much longer.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Thanks.. and me!!! I am getting really itchy feet... even walking with small runner in training is not doing the trick I wear my running tops and leggings when I cycle... it sort of soothes me

[Sqkr]

I generally ache the first time I do something, I definitely ached the first time I did 5K...10K...20K...25K... presumably I will ache when I go further! Also if there are lots of large gradient hills and I've been running flat for a while, I'll likely get some doms. And definitely if I do a race at threshold. If I don't ache at the end of that then I don't think I could say I've pushed myself! I don't ache with regular training runs. But that's just me. Physiology is complex and everyone is very different, with different approaches to their training too. Aching is not necessarily good nor bad, it can vary like all other physical responses, you just need to get used to reading your own body to know what it's telling you and why 🙂

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Sqkr]

My concern was I’m not pushing myself but of course I’m near the start of my journey - starting 3rd post grad week (and doubt I’ll go as far as you!). I’ve also taken the flat option if available but am planning to challenge myself more in the weeks ahead. I live in east Anglia though so not a massive challenge!! Your distances are very impressive. Cheers

[Sqkr in reply to Sybilw]

Heh not meant to be a humblebrag, I just meant that it's a bit of an abstract concept—I think the only person that knows if you're pushing yourself is you 😀 And more to the point, do you want to? Going all out isn't everyone's goal! I ache occasionally, but am not much of an acher. I don't bruise either, don't know if they're related! I asked a similar sort of question a couple of months ago as I didn't feel out of breath at the end of my training runs, and wasn't sure if that meant they were less effective and I should go harder. The general consensus was that some people got out of breath, others didn't. It was actually really interesting how varied people's responses to running were!

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to Sqkr]

I didn’t take it like that at all - but I’m still impressed!

[Sqkr in reply to Sybilw]

😊 it's just an addictive thing this running. You get to one milestone, think you're done but then see another one peeping up and think well, maybe I'll get to there instead...which presumably is why you're running post-grad! Before you know it, ultra marathon 😆

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10]

I ached after I did something new like Sqkr - not at those distances yet! When I did C25k+ speed podcast, reached 10K, 12k, did hills! I have followed the ‘rules’ of rest days, strength exercises etc but just think it’s a new challenge for your body so it groans a bit.

I’ve learnt to take extra rest days to combat any niggling aches. Not to say you are doing anything wrong. But think we can ache as we push our bodies further than it’s used to. 😊

[Sybilw Graduate10]

Thanks. Maybe I’ll try to push a bit once I’ve consolidated more (on week 12 at the moment).

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

I think you just have selective memory. You were posting about not being able to run because you were hobbling for days between runs, not all that long ago.

Don't rush to find the aches, they will find you eventually hehe.

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

Not me.

[pinkaardvark Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Oh, sorry. I had read this and thought you were saying you had issues. healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to pinkaardvark]

Think that was an issues with shoes. Started with old bog standard trainers so more an injury. So long ago I’d erased it from my memory!

[misswobble Graduate10]

Don’t knock it 🙂

I have concrete legs most of the time 😬🙄

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

It wasn't a complaint believe me!

[misswobble Graduate10]

😃 I know 🙂👍

I am 60, creak 😁

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

63! Creaks to look forward to!!☹️

[misswobble Graduate10 in reply to Sybilw]

Been to the gym this morning and felt less creaky afterwards 💪

[Sybilw Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Yoga for me today. Had a week off so a bit wobbly on my poses! Pilates (and run) tomorrow. In for a penny . . .

[Empem Graduate10]

Congratulations on your 30 minutes. Isn't it amazing how impossible that seemed way back when? I started taking warm-ups and downs a little more seriously as others did when I started the 5-10 journey ( still on it) nothing complicated just that really. Happy holidays. I intend to run on my hols in West Wales but only along a nice flat estuary ( and probably in the rain!)

[Sybilw Graduate10]

Flat sounds good and even rain sounds ok! Along with “I can run for 30min” that’s not a phrase I thought I’d say!! Enjoy your 5-10 journey.

[grumpyoldgirl]

Just enjoy it, I think I only ache when I rush the cool down. Then I remember why it's important 😁