Tried. Failed. Tried Again. Getting there

[Run_Kimbo_Run]

Hi everyone, I'm new here, I thought joining would be a good way to share my experiences with others and learn more about all this running malarky. So I'm runnning for fitness & fun, I tried C25K last year, but was hit by continual set backs with my health. I started again a few weeks ago, too scared to start the C25K straight away, I just hit the road 3 times a week, running for 30 seconds, walking for 60 seconds and gradually got myself to 90seconds over 4 weeks. Then I developed shin splints!!! Arrrrrggggghhhhh! Anyway I took 2 weeks off running & feared it would be difficult to get back on it, but I am now following this programme religously. I am only on W1 but challenged myself on my last run to see how far I could get before needing to stop & was amazed to discover that I could run for 2 whole minutes!!! Very much looking forward to W2 now

[misswobble Graduate]

Stick to the programme to keep the shin splints at bay! Slow is good for the programme, especially for you in view of shin splints

Take your Time!

You can speed up once you have developed your running legs, core, upper body etc

Have fun 🏃

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Ahem... still not following the programme... it is as much about patience as it is about pushing yourself.

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

Yup, stick to the program! Also, try to shorten your stride. There is no need to really stretch out if you are running at an easy pace (and doing so will mean you are overstressing your leg, which is a good way to get shin splints!). So, take it easy, you are building stamina not running a sprint, take small steps and stick to the program. You'll have that graduation badge before you know it.

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Really pleased you're back again Aaaaand... follow the programme! Do not do anything other than what the programme says, otherwise you'll get shin splints again. Take it slowly. The time for distance and pace comes when you have graduated and you can run for 30 minutes. I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound miserable when you're pleased that you've run for an extra minute, but it would be awful if you damaged yourself again.

A thought about the shin splints - are you running in the right shoes? When I started I got to week 3 and couldn't continue because I was in tears from the pain in my shins. Someone said the magic words 'Gait analysis' and it turned out that I didn't have the right shoes. After a trip to a (proper) sports shop, my next run was pain-free and I have never had a problem with my shins since.

Good luck with it - let us know how you get on.

[Run_Kimbo_Run]

Hi everyone and thanks for all the advice and tips, regarding the correct shoes; When I first started to suffer with the shin splints, I headed straight down to the sports shop, had a scan, fitting and found the perfect pair of runners, I took 2 weeks off running and now I am back on it, in the right shoes, I'm not having any more problems. I am also running very slowly, and not over striding. I doubt I could do this if I ran too fast!! I have just completed W1 and its been amazing, so glad I am following this programme and cant wait to get started on W2 tomorrow!!