Longer runs......finding it hard!

[Mazzy106]

Just completed W7 R3 and Now I’m into the longer runs I find I’m really aching! My legs and back are so achey the next day....stiff and painful enough to wake me up at night! I do stretches most days, and I always thought I was quite fit but I’m finding the longer runs so gruelling . I’m 59 and don’t know if I’m overdoing it?

[Hidden]

Have you thought about taking two days 'rest' rather than one? No point being miserable, tired and achy

[Hidden]

I'm with Hidden on this one, as you get further into the plan the impact I found seemed harder towards the end as the cumulative effects started to show.

If I had my time again I would have taken the extra day's rest between runs, rather than sticking doggedly to the every other day plan I had.

Why not try that - if you're doing all the stretching - maybe try the rollers too? Although they do look like instruments of torture to me

[Uphill-downhill Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I'm at the same point and do the 3 runs over the 7 days of a week with an least one day between. This has worked although there have been times when I feel stiff the day after this eleviates in time to repeat the pain! I'm 52 and it's W8R1 tonight. I'm also trying to ensure I stretch when I finish a run, also do a bit of yoga to assist tired muscles. Best of luck with this X

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

If you can, a hot bath with Epsom salts is BLISS - plus take two days rest when you need it. I do this regularly - 3 days sometimes!

Try and run super slow and as Oldfloss always says, make your feet kiss the ground (land as lightly as you possibly can).

W7 R3? You are doing fabulously! 😘

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Good advice above, especially extra rest days.

Do some core strengthening exercises on those rest days as well.

I assume you ear stretching immediately after every run nhs.uk/LiveWell/c25k/Pages/how

[Amarigue1976 Graduate]

I found two days rest helped on the longer runs and definitely doesn’t hinder you. I think you feel more invigorated and ready for the run after a two day rest. Good luck not long until graduation now you can do it 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Take a bit of extra rest and take IannodaTruffe 's advice too Then.. really slow these long runs down... relax and let the new running legs take you... just go steadily thinking how far you have come.. and enjoy