Wk1r3

[HappyDayz96]

So after my first run my thighs felt like they were on fire for a couple of days so I took 2 rest days then did run 2. This felt much easier, I slowed down and did all of the runs. But the day after my calf felt so tight and sore that I was walking with a limp. I have had 2 rest days and was planning on doing my final run of the week today but I can still feel a niggle in my calf. Should I run or give it another day?

[Amandana]

If you think it may be an injury, best to err on the side of caution and give it an extra day. The programme is 9 weeks but many of us are on a longer journey! I'm now in w5 but it's taken me 8 weeks to get here. I took extra time for aches and pains to clear up and to strengthen my knees to avoid injury. If you're able to comfortably do brisk walking, that's a great way to keep your body moving in the mean time.

Are you stretching as part of your c25k routine?

[HappyDayz96 in reply to Amandana]

I have been stretching before and after. Plus riding around 5/6 horses a day which works other muscles. I stopped after the second run today as it didn’t feel like it was easing

[MamaHogg]

I had the pain in my thighs for about 4 days after the first run! I couldn't believe how intensive runming was on my muscles. I persevered through the aches (i knew it wasn't injury, just pain from working muscles that hadn't been worked for far to long!) and found that they eased during the warm up walk so that I could run pain free. By the end of w1 r3, I didn't get the same muscle pains any more, just the occasional niggle here and there. I am sure to have a good stretch at the end of each run though.

Do make sure you are stretching your legs out straight after finishing the run and follow your instincts... if it's aching and not injury, normally this eases with a good warm up.

Keep going and well done xx

[HappyDayz96 in reply to MamaHogg]

I gave it a go. Stopped after the second run, it hadn’t eased at all and I had 5 horses to ride this afternoon! Will give it another couple of days to be safe!

[MamaHogg in reply to HappyDayz96]

Yes, you know your own body and limits better than anyone. There is no rush to get through it, the most important thing is that you keep on keeping on- even if that means taking a needed break for a while so that your body has time to recoup. Better to be out for a while by choice than by injury. Let us know how you get on in couple of days xx