Aching muscles

[SRS2102]

Hi everyone. I did my first run of week 1 on Sat. I found it ok, less of a challenge than I thought. But waking up today every muscle in my legs is agony. I’m doing the second run first thing tomorrow and I’m nervous I’ll be in agony. Has anyone else experienced this? Any tips?

[antonioa Graduate]

What you're feeling is perfectly normal! Especially if you haven't run for years! If you're still aching, take an extra day out. It doesn't have to be a one-day gap . The aching will get less as your body gets used to the running.

Keep at it and don't give up

[SRS2102 in reply to antonioa]

Thanks! I travel all over the UK with work so often out from 5am & not back til after 9pm so opportunities to fit the runs in is pretty limited. Having woken this morning in agony though I’ve decided to give it one more day for the legs to recover....and my confidence build!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

The pain is two things... your legs recovering and your legs building in case you do that to them again. You may feel it tomorrow, but you will complete the run and have your legs hurt for a couple more days... that’s what you are doing here. You enter run one with your body not suspecting what you are up to. After years of letting your body do what it wants, it’s only natural your legs hate you today... it will improve. Good job so far!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Aching is quite normal......try stretching after every run, as detailed in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your journey.

[Equi-geek Graduate]

It’s called Delayed Onset Muscle Stiffness (DOMS) and completely OK. Give your next run a go and you will probably find you can run it off. But do make sure you hydrate well and stretch afterwards as linked by our mentor below well done on getting out there!

[Getfitmum1]

I did my first run yesterday and today my thighs feel like lead! 2nd run tomorrow!

[SRS2102 in reply to Getfitmum1]

Good luck!! I’ve left it another day and have to say I feel loads better so hopeful of smashing it tomorrow!

[Jundal Graduate]

Oh, it's normal. After my first run, I felt like I'd just been beaten with an iron scaffolding pole all over! It gets better, in fact, after the second week you pretty much stop aching apart from the occasional niggle here and there.

[Carolinemcd Graduate]

My legs always ache the next day but on run day I feel ready to go again. Good luck and welcome