Re-start C25k?

[sofaspud]

I’ve been running for over two years and have done more than 2100km but am bothered by the fact that I often have to stop and stretch. It’s usually after 3 kms of running or after a narly uphill bit. I stretch my calves, hamstrings and back and can keep going for another 15 minutes or so.

I actually prefer interval sessions where I can stop and stretch during the recovery periods!

I have 2 questions:

1.) Does it matter that I have to stop to stretch? Should I just do what my body needs even though I’m getting frustrated with myself?

2.) should I restart the C25k journey again so that I can build up to 30 minutes of continuous running.

I will add that I’ve been having a pain in my heel and the osteopath suggested cutting down on the duration of runs.

Your thoughts and advice are eagerly awaited

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

If this has been happening for a while then it definitely sounds like you need to change something. How do you warmup for your run? Have you tried any dynamic runners stretching? Are you stretching enough after your run? Do you keep active on non run days? Hope you find a solution. Happy running 🤗

[sofaspud in reply to Grannyhugs]

Hello Grannyhugs!

The answer to all your questions is “yes”. Dynamic warm up as seen on The Running Channel, post-run stretches (the best part of the run for me!), foam rolling every night. I walk a lot every day but am thinking that perhaps I should be doing more strength training and things such as swimming.

The question is whether I go back to basics. I don’t mind particularly but I am sad to get off my trajectory. I have been able to run up to 11kms - albeit stopping to stretch about 4 times.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to sofaspud]

Weird, you’re doing everything right, do you need more time back on the sofa🤣🤣

[sofaspud in reply to Grannyhugs]

I sit too much already with my day job and my hour in front of the Telly. Perhaps I’m going too fast - the osteopath suggested increasing my cadence to relieve the stress/bruising on my heel - but increasing my cadence means increased speed.

I can’t figure it out. Maybe I’ll go out for just 15 minutes tomorrow. But would you believe it - I find those short runs much harder than the 5 or 6 km runs? I guess my body just takes a long time to warm up.

Have a lovely Sunday.