Legs not having it!

[Jockyboy]

Week 3, R1, have I hit the wall? Legs not wanting to run at at all even after a 2 day rest. Feeling old.

[mayberunner Graduate]

They’re getting used to all this work they’re doing! Around weeks 3-4, I had achy legs and took some extra rest days. Listen to your body and if it’s pain, take time to rest and talk with your doctor, but if it’s just aches/muscle soreness, it’s normal!

It does get better - week 8 and I am finding that I’m no longer even a little bit sore the day after my run. Not sure exactly when I crossed that threshold, but a few days ago I thought to myself - “huh... I used to be a little sore after my runs and now I just... go about my day”

[Jockyboy in reply to mayberunner]

Good to know it should pass. I felt deflated that my legs just gave up on me, they felt like so heavy and weak. I’d managed ok until that last run, with my ‘nana shuffle’ action (my daughters description and I’m not yet a grandparent!).

Will try the leg/knee strengthening exercises for runners on the nhs site, Apart from walking the dogs I haven’t done a lot of exercise these last few years, so it is a shock to my body and it’s caught up with me in week 3. Thanks for your support and hope my experience is the same as yours at week 8.

[Becklegs Graduate in reply to Jockyboy]

Week 3 was the one week I had to rerun as I found it really hard going. After that there was no stopping me, so it will pass. I’m 53 and I’m not light!!!

[Bracken2018 Graduate]

Don’t give up , you have a few choices . Start at week 1 again , there’s nothing wrong with restarting, it is a gentler way to get going OR Redo week 2 , run/ jog 1,2,3 if you found that week less difficult- OR,

start week 3 run/jog 1 and adapt it to what you feel you can do. Walk the 5 mins warm up slower , then walk faster when it’s the jog/run section . Repeat this with a few jogging steps if you feel you want to try a it.

Just don’t give up - enjoy the progress you have already achieved.

I wear knee supports and pressure pants which have really helped me to make it to week 8 . I completed jog/run 1, last night .

Yes , its was a challenge and that’s what’s this is all about that’s why you and I started it

Look after yourself, remember to adapt or start week 1 again . It’s what works for you and your body . Listen to your body . You will make - it doesn’t matter when - celebrate your achievement - don’t give up- adapt and enjoy

[Jockyboy in reply to Bracken2018]

Thank you for the tips to adapt/re-run/walk as needed, I was rigid in my thinking about the program. I like the sound of pressure pants and think they would help me, will have a look for a pair online. Good job reaching week 8, how does it feel?

[Ercolino Graduate]

Hello! Just like mayberunner I found the first weeks more difficult to recover from and even to do! I repeated week 3 and took two rest days whenever I felt I needed it...keep going you'll get there! I hadn't done anything for *years* and was never sporty, never a runner even when I was at school - just about to start week 9

[Jockyboy in reply to Ercolino]

Congratulations on reaching week 9. How do you feel? Thanks for the advice and sharing your experience. I don’t normally join forums but pleased I did, the support has really encouraged me.

[Ercolino Graduate in reply to Jockyboy]

Ha Ha! how do I feel? I can't quite believe it to be honest but I have done it! It certainly helps lift my mood, I notice a difference on the days I run especially in this strange period that we are living through.

[Jockyboy in reply to Ercolino]

It’s good to have a diversion from the news, something else to focus on. Being in the fresh air, listening to uplifting music and challenging the body is a tonic. Well done on your achievement.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Everything going on in our lives can impact on our performance as a runner. Restedness, hydration and nutrition are at the top of my list of variables that need to be optimised to enable enjoyable running.

Enjoy your journey.

[Kallyfudge Graduate]

It's a good thing. With any training, exercise damages the muscles. The body then repairs and overcompensates making you fitter than before exercise. So it's is the rest during which you are getting fitter, not the exercise itself. Over time the recovery will happen faster but 2 days or longer is not anything to worry about. Stretching and keeping mobile will help also.

In other words, you did good on the exercise

[Bracken2018 Graduate]

Hi ,

How are you doing these days ?

Haven’t seen any post recently, are you winning ?

🐾

[Jockyboy]

Hi there,

Thanks for asking. I got to week 4 and came down with a bug which kept me away for a couple of weeks. I repeated a week 3 run over the weekend, think I’ll probably repeat the whole of week 3 before moving on. Got a lot on with work atm, working extra, need to fit in the runs just for a bit of me time!

How are you getting on?