couch25k tough week 6 run 1

[eastwesteire]

I was really worried about week 5 run 3 (20 min run) on Monday night but completed it surprisingly easy, when Laura told me I had 2 minutes left to run I actually started sprinting the last bit as I had allot of energy left. I was on a buzz after most runs, especially this one, and would have enough energy to do some weights, sit ups planks etc to improve my core strength afterwards.

Roll forward two days and last night week 6 run 1 was really tough and I found it very difficult, my shins were sore and I came home feeling crap and didn't want to do any strength training etc. For anyone reading this improvements are definitely not linear, I was expecting this weeks first two runs to be super easy.

Even though I'm feeling beat down a bit gonna keep going and do my run tomorrow night on softer ground and run on Sunday on the beach hopefully to try and give my shins a break.

I'm getting pain on outer shin / bone, so not sure if its shin splints, think they're supposed to cause pain on the inner leg of shin bone. I'm almost 38 and never run in my life before so not sure if the shin pain is expected, I have had gait analysis done and got a decent pair of stability runners. Think tight calves are making the shins worse cause when I stretch them it seems to ease the sore shins.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

W6R1 is notoriously tricky... very well done!

Beach running sounds good to me... get onto the wetter sand that the tide has been over as it’s a bit easier than the dry stuff and will sap less energy.

I’d recommend a foam roller for those calves... it’s an exquisite form of self torture, but works wonders. Also keep on top of hydration all day every day, the leg muscles use a lot of water, and legs can feel heavy and tight if we aren’t hydrated.

Have a wonderful beach run.

[eastwesteire in reply to UnfitNoMore]

thanks, forgot to mention that I got a foam roller in sportsdirect last week for €8 and it was money well spent :-), have been using it on calves, quads and shins too, definitely helps allot

[molly1973 Graduate]

Definitely keep stretching those calves: it’s amazing how much of a difference stretching can make, including stretching neglected groups such as glutes. It’s all connected! I hope you feel more comfortable on your next runs 👍

[Modchick Graduate]

Hi yes I think sometimes it depends on the time of day in my case. Today W8R1 absolutely loved it, but on Tuesday following a hard day at work struggled even though it was a shorter time running. Keep it up, as Jo says "you CAN do this!" 😊