C25K and strength/flexibility podcasts

Is anyone else doing both sets of podcasts on alternate days? I am finding that I get pretty stiff and I'm not sure why- I thought the flexibility exercises would help alleviate stiffness. Mind you, it could be that the heavy gardening I'm also being forced into is not helping!

Any tips?

[Pigivi]

I've only tried the first one of s&flex and found it too easy for me , it is good if you start from not having done much of the sort. Stretch after every run , and is good to stretch after every gardening session too! 😉

I find swimming is a great cross training exercise,

Happy running!

[Hidden in reply to Pigivi]

I'm on week 4 now and it's a bit more taxing, if repetitious! Must start swimming again but fear the pool will be full of children. Thanks.

[AncientMum Graduate]

Make sure you stretch really well straight after each run and that should sort out the stiffness. Use the stretches recommended in the pinned posts on the righthand side of the page. they really help.The Strength and Flex podcasts will really help with your overall fitness.

[Hidden in reply to AncientMum]

Thanks. I will add some stretches. I must admit I'm usually straight into a hot bath!

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Naughty naughty Phil! What no stretching after a run?? No wonder you hurt. You aren't going to believe how much better you feel the day after, if you stretch properly as soon as you finish the run!!

[gary_bart]

I've got one of the strength and flexibility podcasts, but haven't gone on from there. On the alternate days I go to gym and work my core and upper body (and stretches are for every day).

I suppose if it gets unpleasant for you, the thing to do is take a break from the less important exercise (or to go backward a bit). I had a lot of back pain early on, and found that just reducing my gym ambitions to below the current zero gave enough relief for me to go on. When I graduate, I'll move running onto the lower priority level, and try to make a bit of progress building some strength.

Gardening is hard work! It's probably the gardening that's doing you in.