Hot or cold compress for achey legs?

[Natalie1303]

Hello all, i have just completed run 1 of week 4...... hooray!!!

Mentally I feel great but my body is not so good ha ha!!

My calf muscles are really achey, is it better to put a hot or cold compress on?.....or should I stop moaning and just be brave?!?!

[misswobble Graduate]

Cold I think is the weapon of choice, so a bag of frozen peas or an ice pack, and putting your legs up would be a good plan

It's not surprising that your body is protesting so just go steady as the last thing you need is to get injured. Enjoy your next run

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

R.I.C.E. Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation. That is the theory for aching muscles. Are you stretching after your runs? The stretches at nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/... are a good basic set and well worth doing.

[Natalie1303]

thank you for your replies. frozen peas it is then

i haven't been stretching but will do after my run tomorrow.

Thanks again for the advice its great

[Beek Graduate]

Do you do any stretches after running? I ache if I don't do any. They are ESSENTIAL!