Week 7 Run 2 - i may get into trouble!

I have just had 3weeks off running due to strained glutes (caused by picking up little kids not running). surprised myself so much as I was SO frustrated I couldn't run!!

Did Week 7 Run 1 on wednesday, it was hard but i did it. Did Run 2 as my second park run yesterday - loving the park runs and want to keep doing them! Also took my hubble along and he has the started the programme and did his first park run!

However, i know you are meant to follow the programme, which is of course 25 mins, but i only went and ran the whole 5k, in 36 23 mins!!!!!🥇 I found myself in my stride at one point, never had that feeling before. However the end was really hard, about 500 m from finish line, when it was in sight I wanted to stop and i think my body was preparing to wind down, but I pushed myself mentally to keep going.

I had two conflicting thoughts 1. I will run a complete park run and can post that

2. will i get into 'trouble' for biting off a bit more than I should and not progressing safely with programme? Oldfloss's words of 'slow and steady' were ringing in my ear!

Thoughts? i will go back to the programme, but at the next park run do i run the whole way or just follow the programme???

btw...i started running July and i am what I call a young 60, as I don't feel it, and am regularly told I don't look it (that's great for vanity😀).

[ejvcruns Graduate]

I would just say have very easy runs your next two.?Also make sure you take more than one day off now for extra recovery!! I'm on w8 now (run 3) next time and I am needing much more time now than for the shorter runs. Skipping recovery I think is quite dangerous.

Meanwhile I think you should enjoy!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

I think you answered your own question

You did the run...and you did well...very well...but, in your own words, the end was hard and you pushed yourself.

The reason for caution is simply, becues of the unseen damage that we do to ourselves, the micro- muscle tears that need time to heal on rest days etc.. it is not me being an, old woman. ( well I am an old woman!)..it is based on fact

Injury can happen, even when we do everything by the book, but it is more likely if we move too fast too soon

I do advocate slow and steady... although I can really shift if I wish too.. but only because I have built up slowly

So...not a telling off.. more advice.

Good for you.. but, finish the programme.. at the Park Run, use the five minute walk from the Start line.. run for the set time, then walk as and when

This close to the Graduation podium, it would be horrid to end up on the IC instead!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

The clearest predictor for injury is stepping up training too steeply. As a new runner your musculature is not as developed as that of someone who has been running for several years. We nearly all tend to push the envelope on occasions and mostly get away with it. However, injury often gives no warning. One minute you are happily running along and the next you are hobbling in pain.

Floss and I are a couple of old women....(you know what I mean)..…........that means we have experienced first, second and third hand the consequences of injury.

When I first graduated I felt like superman and pushed quite hard, getting to ten miles within a couple of months of graduation, but suffering lower back pain, because my core was not prepared for that sort of duration. I didn't actually get injured but it made clear to me that it was very easy to push beyond what your body is ready for.

My only running injury occurred after turning my foot on rough ground, followed by a twinge in my Achilles a mile later on. I wasn't pushing hard at the time. As Floss will tell you, injuries come out of the blue very often, but they always mean that something is being strained or stretched beyond its range.

As a very, very new runner we don't want to say to you "We told you so" but doing too much too soon is a recurring theme on this forum and you are in control of that situation, so think hard before stepping beyond the boundaries.

Dearly beloved, that is the end of my Sunday sermon.

Keep running, keep smiling.