Hi everyone! Thanks to everyone for the encouraging words on my last post - I managed my W6R3 and felt a bit emotional seeing the words ‘you can now call yourself a runner’ when i’d completed it 😂 just wondering if anyone had any tips for trying to get that steady pace? I feel like I do it 15 mins in but for the first part I feel like I’m at war with myself trying to run at the same slow speed consistently ??? I’m also finding that my feet are really hurting for the first half of the run despite getting some proper running shoes and Gait analysis done. Not sure what I’m doing wrong 🤦♀️
Managed it 🥵 but... had sore feet and struggl... - Couch to 5K
Managed it 🥵 but... had sore feet and struggled to find a steady pace
👏👍Well done for getting out there and completing it & it is emotional to realise the progress one has made! 🎈Next week is all about consolidating this run. 3 runs exactly the same. No changes just upping your stamina & fitness. 😀
Many people battle for the first 10 mins of a run & then settle in to it. If it really feels uncomfortable, you are usually going too fast even though you think you are not. Make sure your body, arms, shoulders are relaxed too. Are you wearing runners socks (left & right socks)?? Makes a big difference to foot comfort! Check laces not too tight as well.
Thanks Annie! 😊💪 I’m definitely thinking about running socks as I’ve just had a look through other posts and seen other people say they really help too so I’ll have a look around. Do you know anywhere to get them cheaply as after my running shoes purchase I’m thinking I need to watch my budget haha!
Hmmm yes good point! My target for next time will be to relax my arms and shoulders as I’m going and then hopefully I won’t be all tense and too speedy (which is still not very speedy 😂) Also I’ve just thought maybe my music could be making me run faster than I think I am? I might try without it for the first 10 mins and really try to get into the rhythm as you say and not battle myself if I can! All these little things are helping so thank you 😊
This might sound crazy, but you could start even slower?! Have you seen this - the Japanese slow jogging technique film? It’s a low impact style of running (designed to avoid injury) but is great for running consistently. I first saw this in w6 and have been running this way ever since - because I love it!
m.youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2...
This gentle pace has helped me add time to my run durations & makes the running pleasurable while doing it.
There’s more to it than just slow - it’s the short stride and light landing that’s the key. Might help with your pace and a lighter landing ease the pressure on your feet. Practice the jumping but with the film playing if you’re having trouble getting it. Hope it helps!
The right music can help you settle into a nice steady rhythm.
What part of your feet hurt?
Just the soles and my feet and my calves! It’s not happened to me before week 6 so I don’t know what I’m doing differently you see 🤦♀️ However having read about the slow jogging I’m thinking it could be how I’m landing on my feet?
Try doing heel drops and raises on a step. It could be the fascia which goes along the bottom of your foot and up the back of your heel and attaches to the calf muscle.
It's just still new for your body, it needs time to adjust. Lots of stretching helps a lot 👍🏻
The first 10-15 minutes of a run can seem hard it's just your body trying to catch up. I see someone mentioned running socks to you I got a few pairs from Decathlon and they were reasonably priced. Well done runner😊😊
Thanks Buddy, it’s reassuring to know that it’s not just me! I need to try and make my first 10-15 minutes not as hard somehow and then hopefully my body won’t hve to work so hard to catch up if I can 🤦♀️ I will also have a look on decathlon 😊 thanks fellow runner 😊😊