Why does it hurt when I walk between runs more than when I run?

[Bel74]

Hi all,

I have just got home from the gym.... week one day two completed 🎉🎉🎉

It was good... not easy... but I have a real sense of accomplishment having been able to do it twice!

I have a question though, why is it when I slow down and brisk walk between runs my muscles feel more sore than when I am actually doing the runs? I would say that this is the case for the first half of the 90 secs brisk walk - is this normal?

Thanks. 😀

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

It isn't normal but at this stage, it probably isn't anything you need to worry about.

All sorts of muscles will groan and complain about having to do things that they haven't had to do for a while. In time they will adapt.

[melly4012 Graduate]

As Dunder says, your body is going to need to get used to this new demand your placing on it. Hopefully the muscle soreness will gradually ease. Just make sure you're running really slowly at this point so as not to put too much strain on your muscles too soon.

[ju-ju- Graduate]

I'd say that is normal and you will find when you do non stop runs this will be better... hang in there you are doing fab. Remember to walk briskly and stretch at the end too....

[ju-ju- Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

I had the same...

[davelinks Graduate]

I never had that, nor did my wife, but don't think it's anything to worry about, just make sure you warm up and keep your running speed down to only just above brisk walking speed..

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi Bel,

Not sure why your muscles are complaining, but your breathing should be recovering during the walking sections, and the briskness should not be an effort.

Are you running nice and slowly at not much faster than your brisk walk. As the running sections increase you will need to go steady in order to be successful, speed is not at all important, just being able to complete each running time interval is all that is required.

Do some gentle stretching after your warm down walk while you are still warm there is a link to these in the pinned posts. How to run correctly and stretch.

Maybe have a bottle of water you could sip from during the walk section and keep hydrated after your run.

It does feel great to finish each session and the plan really does work and get you ready for each progression.

Keep going and let us know how you get on.😊

[Bel74]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I am doing post run stretches but I wonder if I am trying to run too fast. I am on a treadmill, I know everyone is different, but I am doing a speed of 5.5 for my walk and 6.7 for my run. Any advice on speed would be appreciated! Thanks again. 😀

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Everyone is different Bel, but if you were walking outside brisk would maybe be 4.5 mph and the run should just be fast enough to get you into running motion (both feet off the floor) it need only be a light jog..

Keep going and good luck.

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

I have two quite distinctly different gaits when walking and running. When I run I land on my mid to forefoot - when I walk I land on my heels. I have found that when I run/walk, I really need two different pairs of shoes - it has been quite difficult finding shoes that cushion my heel strikes when walking and my forefoot landings when running.

[Bel74]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I have done run 3 of week 1 this evening. I kept my running speed the same on the treadmill but took my brisk walk down by 0.2! Made all the difference! Happy days!