Nothing ventured, nothing gained 😊

[quirkybee]

Hello there my lovely running buddies 👋😘I have ran quite a few times over the last month or so, but haven't posted them on here. So I thought I'd add one or two. It's having the time to post really, but I have been on replying to other posts and it's so lovely to see how everyone concerned is progressing, enjoying the highs and not feeling too good with the lows. But do you know, the positive thing is that you're all getting out there and doing your bit for yourselves and that is fabulous.

I'm running for my mood lately. I enjoy running, but I don't love it, this is because I don't feel fit enough and my legs ache every time. I can cope with the out of puff bit, but not the aching legs within a couple of minutes of running. Is that purely because my legs are weak. What is it? This is what's putting me off. I really can cope with being breathless, I seem to master or adjust within 15 minutes, but it's the aching heavy legs and the reason why I walk briskly for 10 seconds, then continue on. Any suggestions, please do say. I have saved the link that Sadie-runs put on, on one of her posts. Thanks my sweet chick, I have saved the 4 weeks and will definately start these exercises.

I walk enough, so I don't understand why my pins are aching. I listen to Laura on the stamina podcast saying to lift your legs as if they're in a cycling motion and I'm thinking, gosh, I can just about lift it off the floor. I don't want this to put me off running, so if there are any other suggestions available, I'm all ears 🤣

Happy running peeps, run with pride and joy because your all worth it 😘 xxx

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Firstly, so glad you have been getting out there, Beth. I know it is hard for you to find time, so double well done!

Secondly, I do feel heavy legged a bit myself at times, and always for the first 10 mins or so (the toxic 10!), but they do ease up. I am sure you know all this already, but are you really hydrating well the day before you run? If so, my last port of call would be doing those wall sits! Maybe your legs do just need a bit of strengthening? I hope it is as simple as that, because wall sits are so easy to fit in every day. Though very hard! 😁 I do a crazy amount of strengthening exercises/yoga now to support my running, as I was getting injured so much in the early days. It took a while for the penny to drop, but a strong body really supports your running.

I run to stay cheery too. 😁 Have been prone to mild depression, so know how important this is. Keep at it, darling. Even if your legs are feeling heavy, stick at it as running will make them stronger. You don’t have to be fast or run for hours - getting out little and often is the key. xxx

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

Oh thank you my dear Sadie, I will do those, exercises, anything to strengthen my legs. The feeling of putting one foot in front of the other but as a run and not walk seems so hard right now, unless I'm going down a slope 🤣🤣, I'm okay then, lol.

Like you say, it's the mental health buzz after running that's important, so thank you for your kind words. We must all stick together 😊😘 xxx

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Are you hydrating enough? Muscles need a lot of water to perform well and to recover well.

Try to increase your daily intake and see if it helps. Certainly can't hurt 😉

Glad you're still getting out there regardless. It is a tonic for the soul! 🤗

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you jojo. No, I don't think I'm hydrated enough, I will usually drink about 500mls liquid during a working day, plus tea and couple cups of decaf coffee, but I know that's not enough, so I will increase my intake 👍 Thank you 😊 x

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to quirkybee]

Try to get yourself to at least a litre of water or other non diuretic fluids on top of any tea/coffee. I think you'll see a noticeable difference 👍😉

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I certainly will 😊

[Hidden]

Nice to see you quirkybee

I would say follow Oldfloss 's advice and try and let your feet 'kiss the ground; with your feet, try and run smoothly and don't be too bouncy. I agree about hydration, especially when it has been so warm. Since I started running, I don't enjoy hot weather like I used to!

It is sooo hard to find time, but I believe that it is really important to prioritise ourselves sometimes- too easy to put everyone else first. If running helps with your mood, doubly important to take care of yourself and find the time.

All the best

Helen

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Aww yes Helen, that is true. We need to put ourself first on times and if it's about our mental health, then yeh we need to feel well in order to cope with it all. Thank you 👍 xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Hey there..our lovely, lovely smiling girl

No matter what is thrown at you..that smile is always there and lifts me and all of us right up x

Well done you...

The aching legs..? Hmm.. landing lightly... you know my mantra as Helen has said. Try not to overthink it either... a really good warm up too and maybe try these exercises for your legs...

womensrunninguk.co.uk/train...

I have a ball... they are cheap enough on Amazon... great fun to bounce on too :)... and you can use a can of beans instead of dumbbells... in the the exercise

Good hydration... every day.. and maybe add some isometrics in... I started doing them again in bed before getting up, whilst on the IC...also a strength and stamina set of exercises too.. ( It is easier for me though I know... being an old retired snail)... now back out there and feeling the benefit

As Sadie says... little and often.. short and sweet jogettes...the more you do the easier it becomes.

You are doing wonderfully... be kind to yourself... get out as often as is possible..but don't stress if you can't. You will get there.. and keep posting when you can to please.. I need that smile Huge hug to you xxx

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Aww, my lovely floss, thank you so much for your advice and tips. You are right in what you say too. I will try the exercises when in bed that should be doable for me haha. I will click on the link too and have a look at that. Thank you so much. You are doing grand mind, especially after being on the IC. So many things we can do to keep us motivated and prepared ready for when we are ready to get back out there 😘 xxx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Hi Beth, I’m so glad you’re still getting out there, I know how little time you have juggling everything but you still manage & that’s dedication right there xx I tend to agree with Sadie-runs & think that with some strengthening exercises your legs will get stronger & don’t forget, we are still learning to run & finding the best pace etc that suits us so maybe experimenting with your stride might help, also, i land lightly when I run...kiss the pavement as our dear friend oldfloss puts it...Some of my runs have felt sluggish while I’ve been in France so I know for a fact that it’s down to food & drink the day before...we are what we eat remember? We need proper fuel for running so it’s important that we give our bodies the right stuff. You know that anyway Beth, you’ve been running longer than I have...I’m glad you’ve posted & that you’re still reading about our exploits, I always looked forward to your posts to see which top you were wearing!! Haha...you and your top fetish!! Keep on running quirkybee ...your legs will strengthen in time xx

[quirkybee Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Ah thanks Bev for that, it all makes sense and yes what we eat and drink affects our performance. You've done incredibly well though, I am so proud of what you've achieved.

Thanks Bev, means a lot xx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to quirkybee]

😘

[Hidden]

Any run is a positive so well done on running when you do ..

I did the leg strengtheng/wall sit challenge and now continuing it as someone on FB group said they had done 6 minutes ... that is going to hurt lol

Any exercises or leg strengthening exercises are going to help with your running .. I know what you mean about the cycling leg thing..as someone posted here about that too ..

Like everything else running takes practise and time to improve and we all do it at different rates so don't be so hard on yourself.. enjoy the fact you run when you run and you feel the benefits from that,everything else is a bonus 😀😀

[quirkybee Graduate]

Thanks Rob, all that you've said is perfect sense, thanks for the encouragement too. I will try these exercises as my legs ache too early abd I can't enjoy the run then what with stopping abd starting, that's no fun to me. Thanks to all for advice too. You lovely people xx 😘😘