W1 R2 done!

[Ember22]

So I completed run 2 of week 1 yesterday and I did notice that it felt a little easier than run 1, yay! But there's something I'm struggling with...shin pain! It got quite bad during and after run 2 yesterday and I really don't want to have to give up just as I'm getting started 😩 Is this something that will subside as my body gets used to running? I've never been a very active person. I'm going to have 2 rest days and see how i feel on Wednesday.

[LittleSallyRacket Graduate]

It is something that subsided for me. It was quite bad for the first couple of weeks and my knees were sore too but I rested for about four days and it was OK after that.

Worth checking that your running shoes have got plenty of cushioning etc to lessen the impact when you run. When I ran in the trainers I wear for gym stuff, they were a bit too inflexible and not springy enough but it was better when I got proper running shoes with some advice from the staff in the shop.

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to LittleSallyRacket]

Hi, I'm glad to hear it was something that stopped happening for you.

I realised that I've been running on my toes and I think that may have had something to do with the shin pain, as I've just completed run 3 (while trying to land with my feet flat) and I didn't feel the pain in my shins. Fingers crossed that was the problem and now I've adjusted my running technique, it will keep it at bay.

Thank you for your advice. I have been wearing proper running trainers so I'll see how it goes now that I'm running slightly differently 😊

[Shorty86]

Well done on completing run 2. I completed my first 2 runs with little pain. But since then during my runs my shins feel like they are burning and feel bruised after. My first 2 runs were on grass, but I've been running on the road since I have never been very sporty but I'm determined to complete couch to 5k. I have purchased better running shoes this which I am hoping will help. I've been using heat rub and freeze spray on my shins and calves. And I'm trying to stretch my calves and shins out throughout the day every day. Like you, I am really hoping that over time it will subside. I completed Run 1 Week 3 today and although during my run, my shins felt like they were on fire. They haven't been too bad since. I did give them a gentle rub after my run. Before my next run on Wednesday I'm going to give them a gentle massage and stretch my legs out before my run and hope that it helps. I got really disheartened that I was trying to get fit and then this happened. I was going to give up, but my husband told me to push through it and said that once my body gets used to it it the pain should go. So fingers crossed hey. Good Luck and I hope that you can push through it and I really hope that your shin pain subsides too.

[Ember22 Graduate in reply to Shorty86]

Thank you. I think I may know what the problem was that was causing my shin pain...I realised than when running, I've been running on my toes. I completed run 3 of week 1 today and was concentrating on landing with my feet flat and I didn't feel the burning pain in my shins at all. It's just been replaced by aches in my calves now but I think that's just down to being very unfit 😂

I'm going to take all your advice on board and try to always stretch before/after runs and give my legs a little massage regularly, as this is something I never do!

Good luck to you too. I hope you can keep going and the shin pain begins to ease off. It really isn't a pleasant feeling and it does make you feel disheartened when you're trying to improve yourself and then you feel like something is holding you back.

[Zumba-kitty Graduate]

Hope it gets better for you.

Good luck for tomorrow’s run 👍🏻🤞🏼

[2Tired2Run Graduate]

Hi, hope with the rest your legs are feeling better. I'm certainly no expert, but I'm wondering also whether it might be worth getting a gait analysis and specific trainers ahead of the week4 recommendation if you are experiencing pain? I did myself in week2 I think, to help avoid issues. Secondly, the best and the often repeated advice to all of us new runners/jofflers is to SLOW right down! It's duration that we're aiming for at this stage. I genuinely go that slow, I could be overtaken by a 🐌 but I'm not at all bothered by that... my primary goal is to be able to learn to jog and continue injury free so I can keep going at this. Drink plenty of water on all days too, including rest days. Hope you're doing better now 🏃‍♀️