Having now successfully completed week 2 i am very pleased. I had a dodgy start only managing a 60 sec run in the third set due to going too fast in the first two, but i learnt my lesson and the next two were completed.
On the last run though my calf was really painful (I ran through the pain) and am now worried, any ideas / tips?
That happened to me. Have you used a roller on your calf. It helped me, some stretching too. Take care though, don’t injure yourself 👍
Thanks, I don’t have one but will look!
Great job on the run. If pain was sharp and sudden then maybe stopping would have been the better option. Did the calf tighten, almost cramping? If so hydration, and footfall maybe factors, as may shoes, surface and a few other things. Foam rollers are good for them, but you’ll be surprised how much foam can hurt 😀
Ha ha, thanks. It was sudden but didn’t cramp.
I had the same problem, early on in the programme and especially when I reached the longer runs in weeks 6/7. I ran through the slight pain which appeared in the earlier stages and they went away quickly. I needed to take a couple of weeks out at week 7, because the pain which appeared regularly after 10 minutes running was just too much and it continued into the non run days. I rejoined the programme at week 5 and had no further trouble. That said, I made sure that I got advice on suitable running shoes, became more careful about hydration, did an exercise routine on the non run days which included calf raises and walks of up to 5k (handy having a dog) changed to socks which only teach the bottom of the ankle so there was nothing to constrict the calf and used a roller. What,if any, of that worked I don't know, but now I only get the odd minor niggle which the roller quickly sorts out. I think that a combination of luck and judgement comes into play; you need to recognise if the pain is such that you need to take time out or get treatment to avoid more serious injury; the luck part, I suspect, is that sometimes you get it right and sometimes you get it wrong, which is why I now err on the side of safety! Hope your problem clears up quickly.
Thanks, will be looking at better running shoes too!
Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.
This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and will answer most of your questions.
Enjoy your journey.
W2 R1 is done - arghrghgh
W2 R3
W2 R3
W2 R2 - Looking forward to R3 
W2 R3
