Calf pain!!😫

[miss_spozzy]

I've just started week 2 and completed my first run - I've found that stamina-wise I'm fine and could probably keep going but about half way through my runs my calf muscles are sore! It's probably normal and I guess it will ease with time but I'm worried that's the thing that will cause me to struggle in further weeks. Any advice or do I just have to keep going? Thanks

[Now-runner_NeedsAttn Graduate]

As long as the pain stops when you stop running I don't think there's a lot to worry about - C25K is designed to gently introduce your body (and mind) to running. Everyone has some sort of pain during the programme, it's only a worry if it's a sign that you are actually injuring yourself. Don't look too far ahead, if you can cope with it in W2 then your body will be stronger when you come to do more in W3 and so on. Doing calf stretches before you go out may help, it certainly does for me.

[miss_spozzy in reply to Now-runner_NeedsAttn]

Thank you

[McFitty Graduate]

I struggled massively with both calf and shin pain in the early weeks. I even resorted to ibuprofen gel before runs! I know (with the benefit of hindsight) that it would have gradually eased off anyway but the things that helped me were definitely stretching properly after each run (didn't find out about that 'til week 4); massaging my calves at any opportunity (whilst watching TV, sitting reading etc). But the main thing was running with shorter steps and going as slowly as humanly possible to start (I got that advice during week 5 and couldn't believe the difference).

It will get easier I promise. Slowly does it 😊