Getting twitchy - to run or not

[Pattypoos]

Having taken 18 months to pluck up energy) courage to start I surprised myself and breezed through Week 1 only to come to a juddering halt after W2R2 as I have knackered my ankles/Achilles area. From Sunday my ankles/held have been so busy painful and I have found just walking excruciating: can't contemplate the thought of what the impact of running would do. I have decided to start Week 2 again so as to be sure of building up stamina for Week 3. However, should I wait until I feel no twinges at all? V. frustrating....

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Hey Pattypoos great you started the programme. Your running really shouldn’t be painful. If it is then it may be too soon to start where you left off. I can understand the frustration, but the run/walks of even shorter duration maybe better to build up your strength without you going back to the injury couch. Try not to do too much too soon. Everyone does the programme at a different pace, because we are all different. Give it a go, go slow and if it’s too much just give it more time. You might still be able to do earlier run/walks too. There’s options. Don’t risk injury. Best wishes! ❤️

[Pattypoos Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Thanks for the advice. That's kind of what I was thinking. Just feel as if I'm being a wimp. Maybe will leave it a few more days before making a decision.

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Pattypoos]

Hey Pattypoos you’re not a wimp! You’re a star 🌟! You decided that this is what you’re going to do. Just like we all did! And we need to work with the body we have decided to move. It needs time to adjust. Delays are not denials, it is all about moving more than we did before and allowing your body to catch up and realise “hey, we like this”!! 😂

I am not the best runner, the fastest runner or even the most graceful runner. But, when I go out I’m the best version of me that I can be on that very day and I’m better for it. 🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️🏃🏾‍♀️

Don’t get swept along until you make it feel like a punishment to run. Run because it’s fun and for whatever duration you can for now! You only need to aim to see what you can do each time you go out and you’re a winner. Breath!......Enjoy! You will do it. ❤️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Argghh what a pain, literally, for you. 😩 I’ve had a tight/stiff outer ankle/heel area since W2. I’m now 2 weeks post-grad and it hasn’t caused me any problems, although it’s still pretty tight.

However, I’ve never had pain running on it. In fact it seems to loosen it up and I make sure I stretch it loads.

I’d be wary in your case as you said it was excruciating - and you want to make sure there’s no tear or anything. How about an extra couple of rest days, tons of warm up stretches beforehand, then try running tentatively, stopping if it’s too painful?

A visit to the GP might be on the cards if so, but better to be safe than sorry and you want to avoid doing long term damage. I understand your frustration. ☹️🏃‍♀️

[Pattypoos Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks for the sympathy - it is a lot better now so will rest for a few more days. And definitely do lots of stretches ..

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Pattypoos]

Sounds hopeful! 👍🏻👍🏻 😀

[Oldlady57 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Great advice cheekychipmunks

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

My first question is what are you wearing on your feet?

Proper running shoes fitted after a gait analysis done at a specialist running shop can provide support where you need it. Old trainers will not.

If you are not used to exercise perhaps you need to do some brisk walking first to get the joints strengthened. There is advice about this in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Don't run in pain.

[Pattypoos Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Not sure it's the shoes - I am not wearing old trainers. Although not used to running I do walk quite a lot -and am generally active. I was quite pleased that I have not (yet) struggled to keep going. It could just be my feet protesting at having to go faster than my normal walking pace!

[Languid_Lil Graduate]

I had painful Achilles before I started running and could barely walk first thing in the morning or after I had been sitting down for a bit. I took C25K slowly and always warmed up / down.

I'm now at the end of week 7 and have no Achilles pain at all, whether walking or running. I think running has been good for my Achilles!

[Pattypoos Graduate]

That's interesting - I am doing some stretches (when I remember). And it is worse in the morning. I think I may well venture out later and see how it goes...

[PaulaGullett Graduate]

You will feel aches pains and twinges but yours sound more than that. I think you should visit your GP as if you’ve ruptured an Achilles you’ll do more damage by trying to run through it. I remember having a bad hip when I started out but after a couple of weeks it disappeared. If in doubt check it out