Is running bad for you?!

[Buttonsandbeans]

I’m on a high after completing W7R2 tonight. It was really well and I could easily have run for longer at the end of the 25 minutes so I feel like I’m on the home straight. I’m loving running and really want to keep it to after completing the c25k. However I run outside and it’s all pavements and somebody said to me (a none runner!) that this is really bad for you and you can do yourself damage running on pavements etc. Is there any truth in this and if so is there anything I can do to combat it? I have good running shoes that I got from a specialist shop and I’m not running fast.

Anyway any reassurances would be great as I’d love to keep running without worrying about this!

Thanks guys 😁

[Buddy34 Graduate]

The person you've been talking to have they been on the internet looking up running? You have bought shoes for running you are enjoying it . There are lots of things we are maybe not supposed to do but if we listened to it all we would never leave the house . Good luck 😊

[Buttonsandbeans Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Haha probably! Probably just jealous that I can run for 25 minutes without keeling over! I’m feeling great so will just plod on! 🤣

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to Buttonsandbeans]

Yes exactly

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Your friend is correct and the 1990s would like them back! My knee surgeon and my GP told me the exact same thing. That’s how it was seen back then... and now my GP says to run. You lessen the impact with good shoes and good form, maybe also training on softer surfaces at least some of the time... and what’s left of the impact actually causes the bones to strengthen. I had painful knees every day for 30 years... since late last summer I’ve been pain free and the only thing that’s changed is I run now. Sadly, it takes a long time for incorrect science to be forgotten... heck, there’s still a flat earth society!

[Buttonsandbeans Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you for your reply! I’ll try and get some park running is as well but I live in a city and am surrounded by roads! I’ve got good shoes and will keep going until I start to get problems I guess! Good to hear you’re pain free now, that’s amazing! Keep it up xx

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Buttonsandbeans]

If you run slow and steady in those shoes of yours and don’t heal strike, there’s no reason that you’ll get any joint issues. Strengthening the joints and muscles on rest days helps a lot, as does some flexibility work like yoga. I ran almost entirely on grass for C25K, now I do some of both... and it occurred to me the other day that I’m doing most of my running on tarmac now. You’re into 25 minute runs and if you’ve had no issues then I’d be pretty confident to assume that the strengthening from the impact is more than any damage caused. It’s the same with the muscles... every time we run we damage them, we put microscopic tears in them... we rest a day and they don’t only heal, they get stronger. If you start to feel an issue, back off a little or take an extra rest day or two... if not, keep on running.

[Jell6 Graduate]

Yes, you are getting stronger, fitter.

The impact of running is increasing your bone mineral density, the effect of running on your mental health is that you are loving it.

Not many negatives there.

You've got the right trainers.

Take your rest days, don't push for too far too fast.

Listen to your body .

Enjoy this fantastic programme 🤗

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

There is always evidence online to support every theory, even outdated ones.

Listen to your own body, get to know when it needs a break. Good shoes, good form, rest days and good hydration and diet and you'll be running rings around all the nay-sayers for many years to come! 👍😉

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Totally incorrect!

I have been running for over three and half years...trails, pavements... the lot.. last year I had to have an MRI scan... on my legs..( not running related), but it showed everything up... and that was.... nothing...I am 69.

Your friend? has been misinformed.

You on the other hand are doing wonderfully... let the legs find their happy pace and head slowly and steadily into Week 8!

[Buttonsandbeans Graduate]

Thank you all for your responses. I feel totally reassured now and will listen to my body. I do push myself a bit too much some days so will make such I look after my body and enjoy my rest days. This is a great app, so glad I signed up xx

[backintime Graduate]

You could tell your friend that the programme you are using is on the NHS website, I doubt the NHS would recommend something that will cost them more money to fix...