Aching legs: Mostly happy with progress and I... - Couch to 5K

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Aching legs

beverleyg profile image
beverleygGraduate
8 Replies

Mostly happy with progress and I have to agree it's quite addictive - even after a tough one the feeling of delight afterwards is great! But this morning was tough - I did W6R2 and I had a lot of trouble with aching in the lower calves. I see from other posts that aching legs are common and there was advice to stretch after a run which I haven't been doing so hopefully that might help.

Does anyone know if it helps to stretch before a run?

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beverleyg profile image
beverleyg
Graduate
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8 Replies
LisaRose74 profile image
LisaRose74

I think generally doing static stretches before a run can make things worse but I do a few lunges whilst walking. Also doing squats on rest days may help.

boptillyoudrop49 profile image
boptillyoudrop49Graduate

You should be warmed up before you stretch ideally to avoid injury, so I would suggest stretching after your run not before. Some runners do both though, stretching before and after.

Rignold profile image
Rignold

Ballistic stretches before, static after.

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate in reply to Rignold

Rignold - please explain ballistic? Thank you!

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate

Sorry to hear you have aching legs. I am not experienced enough to give advice but usually try to ensure the 5 min walk at the beginning is energetic/fast, especially is the weather is cool. I must admit I sometimes forget to stretch at the end of the run and my calf muscles have felt tight.

sparky66 profile image
sparky66Graduate

I also suffer with aching calves..So any advice would be appreciated:)

goonkeepgoing profile image
goonkeepgoingGraduate

Some good 'moving stretches' before you run and static ones after. Strength exercises on your days off ☺

Also, not cheap but weleda muscle rub is amazing ☺

Good luck. Keep going!

beverleyg profile image
beverleygGraduate

Thank you everyone - maybe I'm not warming up enough, will try walking a bit faster, especially when it's cold like this morning, and stretching afterwards. And I too would like to know what ballistic stretches are?

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