Struggling!

[Lostintherun]

I must say its inspiring to read all of you doing so well but I've only got halfway through week 2 and am struggling with aches and pains. I'm 53 but I'm not overweight, used to run for the school as a kid but my body its screaming at me "what the hell are you doing, stop!". I've had to skip run 3 of week 2 cos my knee is so painful. Giving myself 3 days rest and going to repeat week 2 again on Monday. This is so tough, but I'm stubborn, I will do it. Not going to lie though, this is hard 😥

[Decker]

Don’t beat yourself up too much. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it 🙂. The aches are part of the growth process especially in these early stages as you are pushing your limits, but taking extra rest after a particularly painful session is wise. You’re just giving your body time to catch up and build the muscle and bone strength you need as you reach and eventually pass through your thresholds. Good luck!

[Lostintherun in reply to Decker]

Thank you 👍😓 much appreciated x

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Yep... it’s hard! Stubbornness is, of course, a positive... so long as you don’t quit you will be running at least 30 minutes at a time relatively soon.

The body, and brain, does I believe develop central governance... it resists everything that hurts... so it screams stop at us. We just have to get through that. Aches are normal, sharp and sudden pain means stop... it will get better.

As a former school athlete myself, I’m thinking you may need to slow down a bit. Run 1 nearly killed me and that was the solution! In November I went for a warmup jog, then ran a half marathon... and I didn’t even have an ambulance on standby! You can do this!

[Hidden]

You can do this!!!

We all did this and yep some weeks are tough, some weeks you'll surprise yourself keep going use the forum, you sound like your full of belief that's good!!!

Go run but let the injury heal 🥳👍

[MoliJ Graduate]

I am 63 and I have not run since I was at school. I completed W3R1 today. I have had burning in my calf muscles and today my calf muscles hurt whilst running. When I feel any discomfort I slow down even more. Despite my calf’s hurting today during my run they now feel fine. I have been doing lots of strength exercises and stretches. I am determined to complete the C25k. You will do it. 💪💪💪💪💪💪

[Lostintherun in reply to MoliJ]

Thank you all. Have felt a bit of a failure, bit more cross at myself cos my body doesn't seem to remember how fit as a flea I was 40 years ago but to my brain it was only a little while ago. I will do it tho, I will just have to make a few adjustments and repeat till my body does catch up. I'm doing it alone but reading about you all is helping me to keep determined. Thanks for the support and maybe I'll be able to help someone who's struggling when I'm flying through my 5k 😁🏃‍♀️🏆👍

[MoliJ Graduate in reply to Lostintherun]

You can do it, keep telling yourself you can and go slow, slow, slow. We both can try to go faster when we have completed the 9 week course x

[dieOR5k Graduate]

Sounds like you’re running too fast. Are you doing the post run stretches?

[Lostintherun in reply to dieOR5k]

I am but not doing the pre stretches. Have been walking 15 mins to my start point. Maybe that's not warming the right muscles up 🤔

[dieOR5k Graduate]

The forum emphasized post run stretches, and water after and on day off. I’ve been doing the strength and flexibility podcasts on the off days. They’ve been helping with achy knees and hips.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Make sure you follow the advice in the guide to the plan on pacin, minimising impact, stretching after every run, strengthening exercises and hydration and you will probably see an improvement.

[Lostintherun in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I'll try but sometimes when you're in a rush for work. Sorry. I'm naughty but I do pay for it 😥

[Jezpa]

Hi, I can relate to your situation. I was so happy to reach WK2 but after R1 experienced serious knee pain and been resting all week, I’m 56yrs and fairly fit but now disappointed, concerned and not sure if I can continue running 😕

Good luck with your journey.

[Lostintherun in reply to Jezpa]

Yes, mine has completely seized up this morning. I had a horse riding accident on that knee when I was 15. I take glucosamine which helps. Just wondering if I've aggravated it. Will wait till it's better and try again. Good luck to you too 👍

[pippkins Graduate]

I have dodgy knees, my experience in stopping them wobbling and hurting is a mixture of gentle exercises to strengthen my glutes (bum &thigh muscles) and hamstrings (behind thigh area) under the guidance of my PT.

Also, I double-strap my knees in two support bands which makes bending down to do my laces a challenge - one sleeve was £15 from Decathlon, my inner sleeve was from the £1 shop!

Thus far, my knees have behaved

Also, resting is good as it is on these rest days that your sore muscles repair and strengthen. My first week of running was SORE but now my muscles have got more used to it!

Remember to take it SLOW, my pace at the start of a run is super slow until my body fully feels comfortable. No need to work on speed until you graduate!

[Lostintherun in reply to pippkins]

I've bought a support bandage, thank you for the advice 👍

[ArthurJG Graduate]

Are you sure you have the right footwear? I had big issues with calf and knee pain in week 2. In my case, it stopped overnight when I got better shoes.

[Sybilw Graduate]

I’d guess that as a former runner you may be going too fast. I started at 63 but having never run I didn’t have that problem!! That’s not to say I didn’t find it hard but I finished and I’m still going. Good luck.

[Nilsam Graduate]

Hi Lostintherun. You have had loads of good advice in previous posts (which I can't really add to) apart from saying well done for starting and posting. It is a great forum for getting advice and support from. Best advice is don't beat yourself up. Motivation and self care will take you through the programme...not necessarily in 9 weeks. 9 steps of 3. If you can't do the third run if the "week" maybe consider repeating that level before going onto the next one. Take it slow and have fun with it. You are definitely not on your own. 👀🤝👍

[Hidden]

P erhaps you are going at it too hard. I suggest when your knee is recovered try again with really gentle jogging and walking intrevals as suggested by couch25k.

It takes time for your body to adjust. You are using new muscles and you need to get used to this.

I started last year aged 62 and it took a while. Persevere with a cautious approach. Have rest days as suggested. Perhaps you can walk on the other days.

Also i use magnesium oil befor and after runs. It seems to help me.

Best wishes. Keep going. Slowly does it.

[Comfortnotspeed]

It does punish a bit in the first weeks. But, I guess we’re asking our bodies to get used to moving very differently. Take it steady, have your rest days and find cross training regime to help. Ideally take up yoga once a week. 🏃🏼‍♀️🧘🏻

[helenjjohnson]

I’m you and I’ve made it to week 9. You can do this. Take it easy though if you have an injury.

[Hidden]

You can definitely do this, just take it really slowly.

Most of us struggled like you but each run is such an achievement and if you have to repeat some runs until you get comfortable then do.

When you graduate you will look back on these early weeks and be so proud that you carried on even when you found it hard.

Keep going, we’re all behind you.

[Mands50 Graduate]

Take it slow and steady it’s about building up stamina in our bodies at the earlier stage of the programme not about speed. Other posts have given great advice about knees and I hope yours heal soon. Good luck and I hope you can keep on running.

[Gmhmd1 Graduate]

I'm 59, have 2 bad knees and am on week 4, but have taken 4 months to get here! I thought I would struggle after being unwell for a month but it was ok. I think I jog very slowly! Knees bit painful and stiff, but I'm finding this exercise very positive. Keep it slow and keep going!

[Gememms Graduate]

I hear you mate. I'm 53, knees buggered and I'm built for shot putt. I graduated due to the mighty fine Michael Johnson in December. Since then hitting the road 3 times a week and finding it really benefitting my overall fitness. Music is crucial for me, I don't like hills but I have a real sense of achievement afterwards. Breathe steady, pace it so there is a certain amount of challenge but it is not about speed in the early days. I hope you can overcome this wobble. Every run I do I say to myself how good it is to be alive and active. Trot on.

[Ianwshaw]

I had a similar experience but with my hip. I am 66. I was running in some old trainers so I went to UpAndRunning and bought some new running shoes. I am now about to do my last week 4 run and my hip is fine.