W5 R1... building up for R3! Also, question about shoes.

[jcwerb]

That's W5 R1 done and dusted... and definitely getting easier! I struggled with W4 R1... R2 was much better and felt like R3 was a breeze and it seems to continue that way. Mentally building up for the 20 minute run and wonder how I will feel doing the 8 minute runs as well... but if what I'm doing so far is anything to go by I feel I can do it. I might be back next Wednesday with a total fail report but so far so good

However, I feel my calves are starting to hurt a bit after the running, do you guys get that too? Anything I can do to help my legs?

Also wondering if it's time to invest in a good pair of running shoes. I really feel that I want to continue doing this so a new pair of shoes might just be a good investment. Any recommendations? I find the choice overwhelming and not sure what I should go for. I don't really care about price and am happy to spend a bit more.

Thank you everyone

[JayBeeToo Graduate]

Well done for getting this far. We don't use the f**l word on this forum - there is no such thing!

Everyone is different so don't buy shoes based on a recommendation. I would find a decent running shop, have a gait analysis (it should be free) and try on different shoes recommended by them testing them on their treadmill.

The shoes I bought from my local running shop were the same price as from a big, national sports shop.

[jcwerb in reply to JayBeeToo]

Thank you for the advice JayBeeToo! I promised not to use the F word anymore and will visit our local sports shop to see if they do a gait analysis, sounds like a plan!

[AncientMum Graduate]

Agree with JayBeeToo, we never use the F word here. Any run is better than no running, as they say

Definitely get fitted for some good quality running shoes. If there is a branch of Sweatshop near you then go and have gait analysis. They will be able to assess how you run and determine what sort of shoes will suit your running style the best. There are umpteen different types and makes of running shoe and it's really important to get the right ones. Other shops do gait analysis as well, but Sweatshop get consistently good reviews on here. Good luck, hope the calves feel better soon

[jcwerb in reply to AncientMum]

Thank you AncientMum! As promised above, will not utter the F word anymore haha! Thank you for the shoes advice too, am going to check out our local shop to see what they can do for me and hopefully get a good pair of shoes.

[Hidden]

You are doing some stretching after the running ? If not maybe you should try that to help your calves feel better. Well done on getting this far...

[jcwerb in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Henpen90! No, am not doing any stretching at all! Tried a little bit of stretching a few weeks ago, which caused pain, so thought I'd best not go there. But maybe I overdid it. I will have to check out the stretch and flexibility podcasts again to see if I can do them a bit more carefully.

[misswobble Graduate]

Go to a running shop! You'll get the right customer service then. You will need to start doing stretches. It will help no end. Lots of us here have tight calves and you can feel the whole foot curling up, it's mad innit! I am doing exercise dvd's, including yoga, and it seems to be helping strengthen me up. You might look at that too. The fitter and stronger you are the better your body is able to support your running. Cycling, running and swimming seem to be the most popular thing to do on non-running days.

Good luck with the shoes! There's loads of sales on. Sweatshop has a sale on at the minute

[mancbird Graduate]

I too get calf pain. But I just try to put up with it. I am not recommending this but it just what I do.!! I reckon I need to get the gait analysis thingy done too to see if recommended running shoes can help any.