W2 done but not sure I’m enjoying ☹️

[GandT2]

I’ve just completed W2. I really want to enjoy running and I’m so jealous of everyone else who does it but o can’t say I’m enjoying at the moment. I’m finding that I’m hurting after every run despite running as fast as a snail. My knees seem to ache a lot - any advice on that? I do stretch but sometime this aggravates my knees even more. I certainly need to start enjoying it as I have over 3 stone to shift

[Motiv8me1978 Graduate]

I did Wk 4 r3 today and it’s the first time it’s hurt. Had a niggly knee and think I’ve overcompensated so now my left hip is in pieces....I have a feeling I may need more than one rest day. It does get a little easier....weather doesn’t help!

[Pianism Graduate]

What are you doing on the days between your runs? I'm earlier in the plan than you and I'm definitely achy... but I wouldn't say I was in pain. I do a lot of walking on my rest days and this seems to ease the aches away... contrary to what you might think but there we are.

[GandT2 in reply to Pianism]

I don’t have time to do much on my rest days as I am a full time teacher with 2 little ones under 5. I’m always on my feet though and hardly ever have time to sit down on the sofa. Maybe I’m not allowing my legs to rest??

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I find running on hard surfaces is, surprise surprise, harder on my body, so I do most of my running off road, woodland paths and such like.

Easing off on the pace may help too... remembering you are looking for a pace you can sustain (eventually) for 30 minutes.

I shifted what someone told me was 3 stone. I'm in my mid-50s so I was educated in metric and I always think stones sounds horrid, so I lost 20kgs instead. Took me a couple of years and wasn't all done by running but the running really helped... not least by giving me a wonderful sense of achievement.

[GandT2 in reply to GoogleMe]

I used to run a lot on the treadmill and I would be able to 5k in around 30 mins back then. I do find running outside so much harder on my knees and ankles.

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to GandT2]

Aha... six runs is quite soon to expect your body to adjust to new activity. And if you are trying to translate history into the present...

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

There’s some great knee strengthening exercises linked in the pinned posts... they did wonders for my knees. I also do the running workouts on Nike Training club regularly and this is body weight, in your own home stuff.

The enjoyment tends to come as it gets easier... stuck at it and your fitness will rise and make that happen,

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Give it time. Not everybody has the masochistic streak in them that all runners need...........but it may develop.

Enjoy your journey.