Been a bit over enthusiastic this week.

[stevo216]

Graduated end of April but been a bit daft this week. Ran Mon, Tue, Wed (twice!) Managed to restrain myself on Thu but went out again today to try and do a 5km run for first time. Not perhaps unsurprisingly I felt somewhat stiff and sore at the beginning and nearly stopped but managed in the end to complete the run in a time of 33 mins, 20 secs which I am very happy with. Then went for 5 mile hike this afternoon and going with friends on a 10 mile one on Sat!! MUST FORCE myself to rest on Sun and Mon!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Enthusiasm is to be applauded, but you really are risking injury at this stage, unless you were pretty fit before you started C25k. Too much too soon has been a recurrent theme in the time I have been reading this forum. Rest days are crucial and should only be missed if you are doing relatively light runs. !0% weekly increase in duration or distance is the recommended rate at which you should extend your runs.

Be careful and good luck.

[stevo216 Graduate]

Thanks for good wishes. I know I need to be more sensible I just let my enthusiasm get the better of me! Since graduating I have done trail run,, stepping stones, intervals and full 5k amongst other things! But as you say I am setting myself up for a fall if I don't calm down!

[Hidden]

You've done a heck of a lot in a very short space of time so it's not surprising you are feeling sore. Try to take some rest and be kind to yourself - overdoing things is not worth the risk of injury. With best wishes.

[runningnearbeirut Graduate]

If you keep going as you have done this week, you're probably setting yourself up for injury or burn out which would be WAY more frustrating than having the occasional rest day, but it sounds like you know that really.

Sounds to me like you need another challenge for your "rest days". Have you thought of cycling or swimming? As they use different muscles you could work your way up to doing an appropriate amount of either of those activities (obviously not overdoing it of course...) and you would therefore have an outlet for all that excess energy and enthusiasm any day of the week.

[MarionSky Graduate]

I feel the same some weeks, it is so tempting to go out everyday and I spend more time looking forward to a run than actually running but you must try not to over train or you risk injury which could take you months to recover from. I do other exercises like pilates or yoga on my "rest" days, which satisfies my running cravings as I know that strengthen my core muscles will benefit my running too. Just an idea?

I tried sticking to a training plan too. I wrote it down in my diary (old fashioned paper kind) but in reality I swap days around depending on work and other commitments. It does help you remember rest days though.

Good luck with the running and enjoy!

[stevo216 Graduate in reply to MarionSky]

Good ideas. I am actually a very poor swimmer (struggle to swim a length) and noticed that local leisure centre do classes for people to help improve so will look into that, maybe then I could work up to a triathlon!

[ju-ju- Graduate]

blimey thats full on...but pace yourself and go steady, its great training. Most importantly have fun!!!!