Achey!

[Abby1983]

So I did week 2 run 3 today and boy my legs are achey!

Not sure if I'm ready to start week 3...may repeat at least one of week 2's runs!

Anyone else repeated runs/weeks before progressing?

[KittyLaLa]

Hi,

I'm at the same point as you 😊

My calves ached for the first two 90 seconds, but were ok after that - then usually they feel crampy for a few hours afterwards but they haven't tonight - I did have a bath rather than a shower, so maybe that helped?

I'm going to give the 1st run of wk3 a go on Sunday but if it feels too much I won't force it and just repeat a wk2. Go with what works for you. x

[Hidden]

Oh yes I repeated some of the first weeks. Not a problem at all. There's no rush. You're doing well.

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

Lots of people repeat runs/weeks, so don't let that worry you. Having said that, it is highly likely that you will get some muscle aches - after all (if you are anything like me!) you are probably using muscles that haven't been asked to do a lot recently. This is why the rest days are so important as this is when the muscles repair and grow stronger. Give yourself 2 rest days at the end of the week, maybe. The thing is, if you completed all 3 runs, you are ready to move on. Don't bother waiting until they become 'easy'. The program isn't about easy - it is tough, but you are building stamina with each run and are ready to push on with the next challenge, think about investing in a foam roller and look up some cool down stretches. These will help those muscles recover a bit quicker. You are doing brilliantly!

[T0rtoise]

I repeated weeks 1, 2 and 3... Mainly due to achey knees, the fear of injury and being nervous as I'd never run before. But when it came to week 4 I really felt I'd achieved it successfully and was ready to go to w5. These first few repeated weeks let me build up my muscles a bit and my confidence too.

I'd say listen to your body, don't be scared of repeating or slowing down, have two days rest if needs be... Do it at your pace. It says nine weeks but it's not a race, you are doing it for you!

You've done great so far. keep at it.

[nhs2015 Graduate]

Sure did Abby. The early runs, then I went flying

[rmnsuk Graduate]

Well done for completing wk2 you are doing great. There's no problem repeating a run or a week of runs, many people do (i did). Aches are to be expected. I have had the best part of a year of aching legs on and off. So long as the aches go away after a couple of days or so you'll be fine.

[Terrorrun Graduate]

I would totally agree with agedsnailspace ... Well Done on getting through week 2. Make sure you take all rest days - including the 2 days at the end of the week. If your legs are still achy by the time your next run is due then I would consider either repeating or having an extra rest day ( personally I would take the extra rest day ) Good Luck

[Abby1983 Graduate]

Thanks guys for all your comments, advice, support & encouragement.

Not had wifi as I'm currently away on a road trip (hence only replying now)......

I did move on to week 3 run 1 this morning and it was absolutely fine! Was sooooo surprised. After the achey legs at the end of week two, I was expecting the start of week 3 with longer runs to be horrible but I got through it like a breeze and even now at the end of the day, I feel fine! In fact, I feel energised! Taking this running journey one session at a time....

[Abby1983 Graduate]

Today (week 3 run 2) was a different story....been trying out some different places to run because I was away on a road trip in Oregon & Washington State all of last week, but now I'm back home in Northern California.

Most of last week I was able to find not-too-busy flat roads to run on but now that I'm back home (there are only main roads where I live) I visited a local ranch with 8 miles of trails to do my run. They put in slopes to make it more interesting and....such a different story....running inclines/declines is hard. Also, the warm dry heat was tougher to run in. Whilst in Oregon/Washington it was mostly cool and damp! I really need to work this out and find a permanent solution whilst running at home in northern CA.

...Basically, I miss British weather! Haha, never thought I would say that!