New Ct5k: Hi all, Completely new to this... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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New Ct5k

LaurenCannon profile image
15 Replies

Hi all,

Completely new to this! Feeling really motivated recently after applying for a job and signing up for a 5k mud run! I've been meaning to get up and out for ages and never felt this motivated.

So... just completed my second run.. my ankles and calves are in agony.. any advice? I'm yet to buy proper running trainers due to not knowing if this is a novelty for me so running in Nike running trainers.

Why do I feel like I'm going to seize up after every run?! Sorry newbie and no knowledge on running!

Thanks, you're all doing amazing!

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LaurenCannon profile image
LaurenCannon
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15 Replies
Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate

We were ALL newbies ourselves once :)

Best thing you can do - imho - is read as many of the posts on the Froum as possible. There is a wealth of information and you will see that for the VAST majority of us, running did not come 'naturally' It does take effort - but not as much as I certainly thought it does :)

Most common mistake made, especially when new, is to start off too fast. no kidding - you cannot run slow enough in the early days. The programme builds stamina - not speed or distance (forget the 5k in 9 weeks, less than 10% of the Graduates had that when they graduated ). Stamina is needed before you can do speed or distance.

Don't miss your Rest Days - people have, and some even got away with it once or even twice, but believe me its a real 'tears before bedtime' situation if you don't.

All the above and more are in the posts, any support you need is here - we may run b ourselves, but we never run alone round here :) - and there are no 'fail' days, just 'practice' and 'success' ones. The only way you will fail is by not going out the door to run :)

Slow and steady will get you to graduation, it's how we did it :)

Wishing you many happy miles in your future :)

kesmcg profile image
kesmcgGraduate

Perhaps new trainers would help to maintain your new running habit?

LaurenCannon profile image
LaurenCannon in reply tokesmcg

Are there any trainers that you recommend? Thanks for replying!

leswilley profile image
leswilley in reply toLaurenCannon

Adidas boost

Great trainers

LaurenCannon profile image
LaurenCannon in reply toleswilley

Thankyou! Been looking at Acsis with gel in them but can't make myself pay £50 at the moment. Maybe after payday!

leswilley profile image
leswilley in reply toLaurenCannon

Look on m&m direct you can get some great bargains!

LaurenCannon profile image
LaurenCannon in reply toleswilley

Thankyou I'll take a look!

Fatnorthernlass profile image
Fatnorthernlass

Wondering what you dd straight after your run? Do you do the cool down? You could try stretching if you don't already? Ice cold water on the achy areas helps lots if it's immediate 😊

LaurenCannon profile image
LaurenCannon in reply toFatnorthernlass

Hi! Everyone is so helpful on here! I do the 5 minute cool down and a few stretches but really I'm struggling with how achy my ankles are! Pain achy too! Definitely going to take a rest day if not an extra one too!

Fatnorthernlass profile image
Fatnorthernlass in reply toLaurenCannon

Is it shins rather than ankles??

LaurenCannon profile image
LaurenCannon in reply toFatnorthernlass

Could be.. I think so! (What a wolly!)

Fatnorthernlass profile image
Fatnorthernlass in reply toLaurenCannon

No not a wally! Just keen to run...no shame in that. Trainers are a must though 😊

Fatnorthernlass profile image
Fatnorthernlass

Noo do a post headed shin splints? Many on here will have experience of them and will advise. I've had them and they are really painful. If I remember rightly it's total rest then only stretching and weights to build the supporting muscles and tendons. Not too sure as a newbie myself. Good luck x

LaurenCannon profile image
LaurenCannon in reply toFatnorthernlass

Okay I will have to google what they are! I am so new to this I don't know anything at all! So experiencing pain now and feeling sorry for myself! Thankyou so much for talking, nice to know there's others just starting out too!

LaurenCannon profile image
LaurenCannon in reply toFatnorthernlass

Definitely shins, hobbling around today! Will take extra rest days!

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