Legs hurt so bad

[Luce1]

Hey all, I'm in week 2 of couch to 5k and feeling so motivated. The only down side is my lower legs hurt so much when doing the walk, the running is fine, is this normal or am I running wrong lol?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Early days... We do expect the aches and pains for a while. This is something new!

Warm up really well and stretch after each and every run...slow and steady as you go on.... it will get better as you get stronger x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and includes advice on pace.......you are probably going too fast........stretching, which you should do after every run and also runner's first aid.

Enjoy your journey.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome, well done, keep the pace down. You can do this.

[Bloodhound1]

As everyone else is saying - just slow down. I also started with legs that didn’t behave. I spent half my time swearing at them when they hurt or didn’t behave as I wanted. But suddenly one week they didn’t hurt anymore. The programme works so stick to it

[ArthurJG Graduate]

Yes slow down but also make sure you take on enough non alcoholic drinks not only on running days but the day before as well. There are four things I know of that can cause that kind of pain. One is just the body getting used to a new kind of movement and that will get easier over time. The other three are going too fast, being under-hydrated, and wearing the wrong footwear.

[Roz25k]

Hi

I’ve always avoided running/fast walking because of shin splints in my lower legs but recently had gait analysis done and was told to get ‘support’ trainers and insoles and my first runs with them I had no pain at all! Worth a try if you’re planning on continuing with it

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Hi Luce ! Welcome to the crazy gang ! You might find the NHS Strength and Flex podcasts helpful. I do them on rest days and am getting far fewer aches and pains. Happy running 😀