determined to finish!

[me_vs_theknee]

I completed W8R3 yesterday and it was tough going. I’ve had to leave 2-4 rest days between runs for the last few weeks because of my knee & some odd sciatic type pain I’ve had on the opposite side, so I feel like I haven’t really had the same improvement in cardiovascular fitness. I got some proper shoes after gait analysis & they seem to have helped with the sciatic pain but not with the knee (and I got a blister from them on first outdoor use - annoying!). I also saw a sports physio yesterday who thought I maybe had a meniscal injury in the past (I twisted my knee doing some exuberant dance moves after a “few” drinks when I was a student many years ago!) & said I had shockingly weak gluteus medius & tight hamstrings. He also advised no more running for 4 weeks so we can work on these things. Now this might sound silly but I think I’m just going to do the last 3 runs beforehand- I really really want to finish this programme as it would be the only physical/sporty thing I’ve ever achieved. And in 4 weeks the weather will be worse, I’ll have lost some fitness & might have to go back a few weeks - I’m worried I won’t have the momentum to finish it. It’s only 2 more minutes than I’ve been doing right?! Fingers crossed!!

[steviej99 Graduate]

Wow your determination is fantastic. But I wouldn't go against the advice of the physio, you could cause long lasting damage. C25k is your first step in your long term running future so why jeopardize that? Get those niggles sorted then attack it without risk of long term injury

[icklegui Graduate]

hi - now ... are you aiming to finish the programme and get a "badge"? Or to learn to run and develop a sustainable habit of running, with low risk of injury? The rest of the plan will still be here when you are healed, and though the winter might seem terrible, people do run during winter

If you went for it now against physio advice, and did more damage, I think you'd feel worse...

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I agree with the above... you saw the physio for a reason. November is nice, no hot days, crisp air, little chance of snow, it’ll be fine.