The Burrrnnn: Hey all, completely new to running... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,583 members158,672 posts

The Burrrnnn

NewToRunningLeigh profile image

Hey all, completely new to running. I just wondered if everyone else felt the burn like really bad after their first couple of runs? Especially in the thigh and calf regions? How are you all getting on?

Written by
NewToRunningLeigh profile image
NewToRunningLeigh
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
24 Replies
FionaV profile image
FionaV

I just started week 2 this week. I had done lots of walking in the weeks leading up to starting and so I reckon that helped me with less burn. Still got sore calves and quads after every run though.

NewToRunningLeigh profile image
NewToRunningLeigh in reply to FionaV

How long does the soreness last for you? Thanks for your reply 😊

FionaV profile image
FionaV in reply to NewToRunningLeigh

I notice two days after that I'm still sore but running again isn't a problem. In fact, after the next session's warm up I'm not feeling any soreness!

GiGill profile image
GiGillGraduate in reply to FionaV

Look into foam rolling (using a foam roller to self massage your legs) lots of how-to videos on YouTube... it hurts so good.... Seriously it can be quite painful BUT it really helps if you can stand it... I would start with a smallish diameter roller something like a pool noodle (but much firmer)... well worth a try. You can also use a lacrosse ball or somesuch on knotty areas but can't cover so much muscle as with a foam roller...

rolysmate profile image
rolysmateGraduate

Your asking muscles to do something they haven't done for a long time, plenty of stretching before and after and warm up well and you'll be ok and the muscles will be strengthening with each run

NewToRunningLeigh profile image
NewToRunningLeigh in reply to rolysmate

I think u definately need to look at my warm up routine. How do you do yours? Thanks for the reply 😊

swisstony4 profile image
swisstony4Graduate

Hey Leigh, new to running myself and just finished week one too, not really had to much of an issue with burning, but I do try and keep the pace slower at the moment and make sure I do stretching after cool down , it should get easier as long as you look after your muscles and take it easy and build up

NewToRunningLeigh profile image
NewToRunningLeigh in reply to swisstony4

Maybe I'm trying to push myself too hard for the beginning then. Also as I have said in a reply it's quite elevated In parts. Would you think this would be an issue? Thank you for your reply. 😊

in reply to NewToRunningLeigh

I did try one run with a few hills early on, and regretted it. To give yourself the most chance of success, I'd try to plan as flat a route as possible. Actually I have quite a steep hill right at the start of my route, but fortunately it's in the warm up walk, so it's manageable. Normally after that hill I run along the canal, and thanks to the way gravity works and the laws of physics, canals are nice and flat :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Slow down :) At this stage... aches and pains yes.... burn ? Hmmm!

Warm up well and then.. take it gently :)

NewToRunningLeigh profile image
NewToRunningLeigh in reply to Oldfloss

That's what I sort of meant by the burn. Slang if you wish lol. I think I may need to take it more gently or find an alternative place to run. There's a quiet woodland area that's a nice place it's just short of 2mile round, however it's quite elevated In parts and maybe this is too strenuous to begin with? Thanks for the reply. 😊

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to NewToRunningLeigh

If you take it steady, it sounds wonderful... my kind of run... :) Go for it :)

NewToRunningLeigh profile image
NewToRunningLeigh in reply to Oldfloss

Cool. l keep going then. I do like it there 😊

Welcome to the family :)

Yeah I got the burn probably during my first 3 or 4 runs actually, but towards the start. I just tried to distract myself, and it kinda worked for me. The other thing you will get told countless times on here, is to slow down. For me, if it starts to hurt, I just back off the pace and let myself recover, so in other words, a slower run, but not a walk. And it really doesn't matter if you run at walking speed either. The goal at the end of week 9 is to have completed 3 x 30 minute runs, they don't actually have to be 5k, in fact most aren't I think you'll find reading the comments on here.

Hope it gets easier for you, I'm sure it will. Do let us know how you get on!

Neil

NewToRunningLeigh profile image
NewToRunningLeigh in reply to

Great advice. Thank you 😊I don't necessarly want to be able to run the 5k I just want to build my fitness up for now 😊

Polly2810 profile image
Polly2810Graduate in reply to NewToRunningLeigh

Good attitude! I’m still not anywhere near 5k but I don’t care am fitter than I was 10 weeks ago.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Are you folowing the C25k programme?

NewToRunningLeigh profile image
NewToRunningLeigh in reply to Millsie-J

Yes. Why?

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate in reply to Millsie-J

Useful to know which run you are on etc. Enjoy!

Kimchoc08 profile image
Kimchoc08Graduate

At the beginning, up to WK 4, I always did an extra 2 mins on my warm up walk and I found that this helped. Maybe you could slow your pace down a little so as not to tie your legs out too quickly.

Slow and steady are 3 words that you'll hear a lot on here 😊

NewToRunningLeigh profile image
NewToRunningLeigh in reply to Kimchoc08

I think it's looking like I need to work on my warm up. 😉

Kimchoc08 profile image
Kimchoc08Graduate in reply to NewToRunningLeigh

Also, you have 'new' running legs so a little soreness is to be expected as you're asking muscles to do something that they might not have done for a long time, almost 30 years in my case!!

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate

I was a bit sore for a day or two on weeks 1-2 - after that, recovery time got much quicker and now I just have a pleasant dull ache the day after I run. It definitely improved for me. Just make time to do good leg stretches after each run. You will be fine. 🏃‍♀️😀

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Slow running builds legs. C25k is not about going for the burn, it's about finishing. Slow and steady will get you there 👍

When you are fit, and your running legs have many miles on them, then you can go for the burn, which you will given time

😃👍🏃✔️

Running regularly, and doing other exercise, e.g. Walking, cycling, swimming etc etc will help your get fit efforts

A warm up before the five minute warm up walk is a good idea, or you can extend your warm up walk 🙂

You may also like...

6 mile bike ride today

your non run days? This was quite pleasant 😁 couple of mean hills but with it 👍🏻 Good luck all...

Are you officially a Graduate when you finish week 9 run 3 or when you eventually reach 5k?

At the moment I'm just concentrating on finishing all the runs up to week 9 run 3 - I'm nowhere near

Week 3 run 3... argh!

Just had my hardest run of all.. last run of week three, breathing was fine but legs felt like lead,

W3R1 - slow, but forward

Total min run: 8 min :) Mood improvement ~15% Not all runs are great,but all runs are worth it :)...

Loneliness of a 5K Runner

so much nicer running with another person )I know you will all quote Parkrun as running with other...