A couple of days ago I did my last week 9 run. I wanted it out of the way. I also had a virtual run which had to be done this week, so thought I could combine the two things. The only problem was that nagging pain in my heel. It started developing around week 8, once the C25K runs started to get that bit longer. I battled through it but could tell it was getting worse. So I thought, "one last run isn't going to make it worse." I battled through my final 30 minuter, feeling like the most unfit blob on the planet (in addition to foot pain I also had the mother of all colds) The relief on completing it was amazing, but as I plodded home, I knew I'd aggravated the heel pain. So here we are, two days later and I'm hobbling around the house. Not sure whether what I have is the dreaded plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, stress factors or something else. (The irony is I can only think about going to the doc when I'm better able to walk there!) So I'm being strict with myself and having a proper rest now, maybe into the new year. Then I'll be taking stock. I want to carry on running, but this has made me nervous. Much as I've loved learning to run and doing C25K I feel a bit annoyed that 11 weeks into my running 'career' I'm now shuffling round the house like a ninety year old.
But I still get that buzz of pride for having finished it and I keep telling myself that once I'm pain free again (hopefully) running is going to feel so blooming easy!
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runwithit
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Its a great achievement so take absolute pride that you were one of the few completed the challenge. I have had the plantar fasciitis its not fun, so rest up and decide on your next challenge (look for your nearest park run). The injury will past and you will be out running again (warm up is key). Congrats!
Virtual runs are running challenges organised online which can be completed at a time and place convenient to you. There are various websites offering this. I use Virtual Run UK and Pow! Virtual Running but there are others. You pick a 'race' that you want to participate in -- some are 5K, some 10K, some longer and some are any distance, so you can set your own goal -- pay a small entrance fee and then complete the run. You then send proof to the website via a screenshot from an app like 'map my run' or similar. Your results then get posted onto the website's league tables so you can compare how you did with others (if you want to) and you get sent a nice medal in the post. I find it a fun way to stay motivated and it's good that the money goes towards charities.
I think you will get that heel pain sorted out, cos' you won't want to be stuck on the couch again for long..
You are a runner now..😄 I haven’t had any injuries thankfully (except a verrucca😐) but think you should look into what the problem is (correct footwear?) or plantar facilitis etc. so you can enjoy your new activity.
Yeah, it's ironic really because I wasn't really a couch type before I started the program. Did a lot of walking and considered myself fairly fit. But here I am after completing the 9 weeks and I'm on the couch, less active than I've ever been! I think in my case it ought to be called '5K to couch'. I am hopeful that the injury, whatever it is, will settle down and I'm going to make sure I have a proper gait analysis done before I re-start.
Hello runwithit, Iam exactly in the same situation as you. I got to week 8 and with the longer runs developed pain in both my feet and ankles. I battled on determined to 'graduate' and was in agony running, but I finished and am delighted. BUT Iam now paying the price! I dare not run. Iam hoping it will heal, but am worried it won't heal for weeks. I had advice and bought a pair of support socks, but not sure they will help. I agree with you and worry that my running career is over before it really has begun. Iam so disappointed. I hope you will recover soon, let me know how you get on?
Hi Hapytorun, sorry to hear you've had the same experience as me. Hopefully we'll both be okay if we give it time to heal. Right now I do feel scared about starting again, but having heard of many people who run after breaking ankles and legs and all manner of injuries, I'm trying to stay positive. I bought some compression socks which were supposed to be good for treating the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, which I suspect is the cause of my heel pain, but frankly I don't think they're doing much good. My plan was to carry on and do the 10K program but I'm starting to think that if I do get back into running (and I hope I will), I shall just do whatever I feel comfortable with, rather than push myself towards certain goals. I sometimes think that the C25K program, great though it was, made me a bit of a slave to the app and being obsessed with doing the set amount of minutes.
congratulations- that is a great achievement...i suppose that going forward you need to decide what you want to do...i suppose from your post two immediate choices come to mind relaxing a little bit and then going back to running, or relaxing and then going back to the walking or perhaps something else. You are right though couch to 5k is a real buzz whatever you decide to do.
Well good on u for achieving what u have, I will never be able to run and although I joined a while ago I am yet to have started, partly due to work, illness and wanting to finish physio first. I know it sounds like excuses but I have chronic pain, hypermobile ankles and left knee and so at the moment just trying to cope with working full time over 4 days. Good luck, you'll get there.
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Week 9 run 3 completed
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Week 9 completed - GRADUATED :) 
