Week 2 Run 3 done...agony!: This morning I did... - Couch to 5K

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Week 2 Run 3 done...agony!

Peter_B profile image
Peter_BGraduate
11 Replies

This morning I did week 2 run 3, for the most part it was ok. I managed to do all of the runs, getting slower as they went on, but I seem to have an issue with pacing myself early doors.

After the last run my legs felt like lead again, my calves were burning and I struggled with the walk back home, let alone making it a brisk walk!

I managed to make it home and do some calf stretches, but I was in agony. It felt like I had a hot poker inside my leg at the back of the shin bone. Worst was that it would seem to ease for a bit and then come back in a wave. All of this was in both legs but worse in my left, where I've also now got pain at the top of my shin just below my knee.

Things did start to ease a little after about 20 minutes and a bit more once I made it into the shower. I popped a couple of nurofen before heading out for work and my right leg feels pretty much fine now and my left is just a bit sore at the top below the knee.

And people actually enjoy this running lark??

On the plus side, weekly weight check with the nurse at my GP today, have lost half a kilo since last week. I mentioned to her about the pain and she suggested I might need a knee support, will look into that at the weekend before my next run.

Because of the pain in my knee I'm also thinking I might need a bit more cushioning than my new Asics runners provide. Can anyone recommend some good cushioning insoles? I've been looking at Sorbothane ones on Amazon, does anybody use those?

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Peter_B profile image
Peter_B
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11 Replies
Peter_B profile image
Peter_BGraduate

Had to remove one of the automatic tags - it decided it would be a good idea to tag my post with "the runs" - things weren't quite that bad! :D

Ejbirdy profile image
EjbirdyGraduate in reply to Peter_B

Ha ha , yes I had one tagged with that once , and most recent says 'itchy' !

Well done for getting out there - as for enjoying......

I want to go , I want to finish then I want to go again !

It's weird but a real sense of achievement each time :)

Hope legs feel better soon

Peter_B profile image
Peter_BGraduate in reply to Ejbirdy

Thanks, so do I - trip to Boots at lunchtime to stock up on ibruprofen tablets and maybe some gel.

I know what you mean, I look forward to going, look forward to finishing and then look forward to going again.

Because of the various niggles I've not enjoyed week 2 as much as week 1, the sense of achievement has been drowned out by the sore bits.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

We all get these niggles early on but as we get stronger they disappear. You have to be strong enough overall to support your running, as it does take it out of you. Are you getting fit in other ways, such as swimming, walking, cycling etc. Every little helps. Gym or fitness DVD's both good for building up your bod, and helping with the weight of course. I was plagued with ankle and then knee pain but I figured if I toughened up things would improve. They did!

Maybe you were running too hard, taking long strides? Slow jog, small steps, keeping everything under the hips as Laura says

If you are using gel and tablets, don't use them at the same time, it's one or the other and be mindful that they only work when your muscles are at rest

Take a rest for a bit and resume running when things have calmed down. Good luck

Tomas profile image
TomasGraduate

Hi Peter,

While the niggling sore bits are annoying and frustrating, you can bet your bottom dollar that after a while, it will be the sense of achievement you remember, rather than the aches. It's a bit of a cliche, but there might still be a little bit of truth in it: No pain, no gain!

It's good to hear you already have check ups with a nurse. She'll have seen it all hundreds of times before, so take her advice. Get some knee support, run gently, but don't give up. You will feel amazing soon! (plus your lucky number is 17)

Tomas profile image
TomasGraduate

Hi Peter,

While the niggling sore bits are annoying and frustrating, you can bet your bottom dollar that after a while, it will be the sense of achievement you remember, rather than the aches. It's a bit of a cliche, but there might still be a little bit of truth in it: No pain, no gain!

It's good to hear you already have check ups with a nurse. She'll have seen it all hundreds of times before, so take her advice. Get some knee support, run gently, but don't give up. You will feel amazing soon! (plus your lucky number is 17)

Peter_B profile image
Peter_BGraduate

My calves seem to be ok now, but my left knee is another story...

When the nurofen wore off about 1pm I really started to feel it. Really painful to walk, and throbbing when sitting. Almost brought tears to the eyes at times (not that it would because I'm a manly man lol).

Hobbled to Sainsburys at lunch time and picked up a couple of packets of ibruprofen (35p a packet - marvellous!).

Been looking online for cushioned insoles - Footlogics or Sorbothane - any experience of either?? They also say they help with over pronation, which is what I thought the new trainers were supposed to do.

Am off work tomorrow, I think I'm going to pop back to sweatshop in Milton Keynes, with my new runners and the custom insoles they sold me, and talk to them again before I do anything else.

Before the new trainers I just had sore shins, now I'm getting sore calves and a really painful knee. Something's not right somewhere.

Yes I'm running mainly on tarmac and moved to week 2, but it's the same route I was taking before with my old trainers and the change from week 1 to week 2 isn't that great in terms of the amount of running.

I'm determined to see C25K through, but am terribly worried that if I keep getting pain like this it will stop me going out.

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Aw Peter , what a shame , your knee sounds so painful :-( Have you tried an ice pack on it ? I hope with a couple of days rest it calms down a bit. These injury niggles are very frustrating , and very common too. Hope you manage to get this sorted soon xxx

Pauline_S profile image
Pauline_S

Aw, sorry to hear you've had a rotten end to week 2 Peter. I think getting back to the shop where you purchased your trainers etc is a good move. Hopefully, they can check they've given you the right insoles etc. An ice pack on the knee and ibuprofen is also great advice from the others. Lots of really good advice on this forum, so glad I joined.

I have finished week 2 without any issues - although now wishing I hadn't had a peek at what's coming up in the next few weeks, yikes!

I'm thinking I'm also going to switch from running 1st thing in the morning, to early eve. I cycle to work every day - only a few miles. But as I say, with what's coming up I would rather be able to run and then go home and collapse than have to face a bike ride and a full day at the coal face, as it were. When do most other people run? Mornings or evenings?

Good luck with week 3.

Peter_B profile image
Peter_BGraduate

Thanks for the comments.

Sadly week 3 is on hold for me :( my knee is terribly sore.

I did go back to the shop but for the time being I'm sticking with the trainers I've got.

Have ordered some cushioned insoles though. So hopefully when my knee feels better (whenever that may be) they'll help.

I'm gutted having to stop now.

Pauline_S profile image
Pauline_S

Sorry to hear that. But better to allow your knee the time to recover and start again. Makes sense. Keep up with watching the calories though and maybe you could try swimming or something else which won't put strain on your knee to allow you to keep the cardio going?

Take care :)

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