Week 9 - 5 days till my parkrun graduation and had a shocking run today.

[Nwrkpak]

I’ve been running with a brilliant beginners running club and a,ready managed 3 x 5kms runs before my official graduation run on Saturday but today 8nhad the most awful run . Even though I ran 5 k last weds. Friday I did 4, it wasn’t brill but it was ok but today I went out and had to stop after 3 km. I gore pins and needles and cramp after only 2km. By2.5 it had gone into both feet and was spreading up to my knees. I just had to stop after 3 km. I quite often get pins and needles at about 4km but have just run though it. Not today. Also my hands were far more swollen than they normally are . I’m hoping I was just dehydrated after having a bit of a crappy Easter egg eating type of weekend . Doesn’t bode well for next Saturdays graduation though.

Any tips on how I could prevent this happening would be great . My trainers really aren’t too tight so I don’t think it’s that. Not sure what else it could be.

😟😕

[Rammy75]

Have you had a gait analysis and running shoes from that? Worth it!

Sounds might you might need to slow down.

I’m sure your graduation will be fine, if you need to walk then it’ll wait for another day- count it as a practice!

Good luck!

[Nwrkpak in reply to Rammy75]

I have a few hang ups about being old , fat and slow so going into a proper running shop where proper runners go is just a tad daunting however I know you are correct about gait analysis . I’m gonna bite the bullet and go and get a gait analysis done when I return from my hols in a couple of weeks . Thanks

[Rammy75 in reply to Nwrkpak]

You’re at week 9, you’re already a proper runner!

I’m sure you’ll find it less daunting when you go, they’ll put you at ease I’m sure!

[ClaireFrog in reply to Nwrkpak]

Oh Nwrkpak, it is time for us old, fat and slow people to feel like the frontrunners (get the pun) of a new era of old, fat and slow people going for a run. I'm old and slow (no longer fat though) and right now you are out of sight as I have bought the running shoes but haven't gone for a run yet. Believe it or not, I am seriously waiting for better weather. I want to enjoy the great outdoors. Please let me/us know how you got on with your gait analysis...... I bet they will be super nice.

[Hidden]

Usual suspects - Illness, fatigue, hydration, poor running technique, poor kit ie old trainers not supporting you, shoelace tying... i know it sounds daft but it is possible .

It’s possible that you had a food hangover type run and this could just be a one off, sometimes we all have them. I was running through treacle this morning!

If you’ve worked through all the usual suspects above and then this happens again, I’d get checked out. The gait analysis can often highlight technique or physicality issues that need addressing.

Meantime rest easy give yourself an extra day of rest if need be and best of luck next time out.

[Nwrkpak in reply to Hidden]

I do think hydration could have been an issue but I didn’t know food hangover type run was even a thing. I have a brain injury and often struggle with fatigue so it could have been this too. And yes I am going to get a gait analysis done in a couple of weeks when I’ve plucked up the courage. Thanks for the advice. I ll rest up the rest of this week , drink more water and eat healthier and hope Saturday is ok. If worst comes to the worst and I have to walk a little ( I know I ‘ll be gutted) at least I know I can do 5km and I’ll have a time to improve on. 😊

[badcrumble in reply to Nwrkpak]

Don't worry at all about gait analysis. I'm old and fat and went to have it done. It wasn't scary at all and they were really helpful. I didn't even buy the shoes they recommended as they were too pricy but found out which ones I needed and looked elsewhere. Getting to week 9 without proper running shoes is amazing. You can do it! 😁

[Mumpark Graduate]

Hi

I still don't call my self a proper runner after 9years.

Good advice regarding the gait analysis,that was the first thing that I did when I started running on the advise of (a proper runner )

Since then I gave stuck to the brand and size of shoe that I started with just changing as and when I needed to.

I have new balance.

Good luck with your graduation at Parkrun.

[Nwrkpak]

Thanks everyone for your advice and support. Last run tonight in group before the biggie on Saturday. I'm gonna try and make sure I'm hydrated. Check out trainers/ laces / clothing etc and hope for the best. But whatever happensim gonna remember that I'm a hell of a lot more of a runner than I was 9 weeks ago. I 'll let you know how graduation run goes x

[Nwrkpak]

Did 4km in 28 mi it's tonight and I could have pushed and done the full 5 but thought I'd save it for Saturday. Wasn't an easy run. A shitty long slope hill that was super super tough bit had great support from the group and it was so much better than yesterday. Now to rest till Saturday. Aiming to do 5km in around 38 minutes. Feeling a lot more positive about it . 😁