21 years old and so unfit..: I started this on... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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21 years old and so unfit..

princessbecky profile image
17 Replies

I started this on Sunday as I have 9 weeks until my holiday to Greece..lets see if I can shape up before then!!

The first run on Sunday wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be but my word, the second run I did last night was horrendous.

My legs ached so much from the second I stopped..are you supposed to stretch at all?

Any advice welcome #newbie

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princessbecky profile image
princessbecky
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17 Replies
iain-strachan profile image
iain-strachanGraduate

Might be that you're trying to go too fast before you're ready? Looking at my Strava stats I found that I ran faster in those 1 minute segments in week 1 that I do now in week 7 for 25 minutes continuous. The aim is to build up stamina - not to get speed.

If you take it nice and slow you'll find it gets easier, and the amount of time you take to recover your breath after a running section. When I did Week 5 Run 3 it was 8 + 5 walking +8 again and I thought before I'll never manage that, having only done up to 5 minutes running before. But as it turned out half way through the 5 break I was thinking "I could start running again now - don't really need the extra 2 and a half". But I still stuck to the plan, because it's worked for so many other people.

PS I'm pretty unfit too - about 1 1/2 to 2 stone overweight!

princessbecky profile image
princessbecky in reply to iain-strachan

Thanks Iain, I will try and slow it down and see if that helps. Keep up the good work!

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate

Run slowly, walk briskly. Stretch after running:

nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/...

Don't stretch before running, just use the warm-up walk. You'll be OK!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Lots of advice on this... those running legs need to be warmed up...slow and steady is the way forward too...listen to your body and go gently :)

womensrunning.competitor.co...

Some ideas here... :) Lots of us used the strength and flex exercises too, on our rest days, when we did the C25K too

nhs.uk/Livewell/strength-an...

Keep posting your progress for lots of support and encouragement too!

Aquila12 profile image
Aquila12Graduate

Hi welcome to forum :)

Im 23 so was pretty much in same boat. Try not to be disheartened. The first few weeks felt like a shock to my system and took a lot of determination. But you can make it through and maybe even start enjoying it 😂

princessbecky profile image
princessbecky in reply to Aquila12

I used to really enjoy sport in school so fingers crossed I get back into enjoying it, thank you!

If you're only 21, you're probably still blessed with very fast recovery times. That being the case, you can probably take quite a lot before bits start breaking off.

The aches you describe sound like plain old DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). There's a gazillion myths about what DOMS actually is, with the biggest fib being that it's lactic acid under the skin. But regardless of whatever causes it, it's basically perfectly normal mild inflammation of the muscles as they set about reinforcing themselves in order to adapt to the new activity level.

The treatment, if it is just regular plain old DOMS is nice and simple. It's basically exercise. Except at a much lower intensity that what caused it. So leisurely walking, swimming, casual low energy dancing, whatever. It's basically just a case of keeping things moving.

If it gets too uncomfortable, ice, massage, a hot soak (yep, I know that contradicts the ice bit, but it works because it relaxes the muscles and dilates blood vessels to allow everything to move along). Generally indulgent stuff that flies in the face of the self torture that is training.

Also drink plenty, eat good food including lots of protein, carbs and vitamin c.

But most importantly, keep moving.

princessbecky profile image
princessbecky in reply to

Very interesting, thank you so much for sharing this! Otherwise I would probably have self diagnosed myself on google after searching my symptoms and have given up for fear of hurting myself or something!

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Hi Princessbecky, and well done on starting the c25k plan.

Take it steady and work through the weeks one run at a time. You will love the feeling of success as you complete each run.

By the end you will be able to run for 30 mins non stop* (yes, you will)* and this is when you will start to notice some body toning. As you train you will be less likely to snack on less healthy foods and feel fitter and more confident too Its great😊

Good luck and keep posting..

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner

.. and it is still amazing Jan, how that still makes me feel going from the 'run for sixty seconds' .. how on earth can I, feeling to.. yes I can run for 30 minutes!!!

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

😄xxx

Hope you are off the ic and feeling better now.x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner

Just edging off it.. maybe an Irishprincess jogette on Friday.. a beach run? :) xxxx Thanksx

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Take care and enjoy it. Sounds lovely.😎xx

princessbecky profile image
princessbecky in reply to Bluebirdrunner

30 minutes non stop sounds v scary at the moment..thank you for your advice and support!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

Great advice from others. Just wanted to say hello from one princess to another 👑👑👑

princessbecky profile image
princessbecky in reply to Irishprincess

ah but you're a graduate princess, I'm not quite there yet! well done :)

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to princessbecky

You can be. Just follow the programme 🤗

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