Leg muscle pain

[Rengar1]

Just done run 2 week 1 and my legs muscles are really hurting is this normal? Should I still run tomorrow or wait for them to ease up a bit? Xx

[Hidden]

Don't run two days in a row, always take a rest day in between runs so that your body can repair. Drink lots of water too.

It can be normal for your legs to hurt if you are not used to exercise, a rest might help, take a day or two off maybe.

[Rengar1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks sorry I meant I ran yesterday and was going to run tomorrow or I may wait till Saturday. I’ve never run before I do a lot of walking but first time I tried running x

[Hidden in reply to Rengar1]

Maybe leave it until Saturday..

I think a lot of people get sore legs, there might be pinned posts on here somewhere about it but I'm not sure.

You are stretching before and after I hope.

Also, look up the strength and flex forum on here, you might find stuff on it to help strengthen your legs.

Good luck..

[Rengar1 in reply to Hidden]

Ok thanks for your help I’ll do that and yes I’m stretching x

[Hidden in reply to Rengar1]

Ok, let's us know how things go for you..

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

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

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Stretching immediately after every run, while muscles are still warm and supple, pulls out contractions, avoiding carrying tensions into the next run and also improves recovery by improving blood flow.

Enjoy your journey.

[Treeze]

Hi. At the end of week 2 my knees were SO sore. It was really hard because I felt such a failure. But I rested for a fortnight and I'm back and running without any pain now. I actually went back to the beginning when I started again and its been great . I had to remind myself that it's not a race, it doesn't matter how long you take to do it and I have repeated week 5 twice now and that's also fine! Take it slow, rest and you will be fine !

[Rengar1 in reply to Treeze]

Thanks for the tips I know it’s going to be uncomfortable for a while I’m using muscles I don’t usually use but my legs are so painful I’m going to walk it for a bit till they heal then start again x

[BexHD Graduate]

For me it was completely normal to have sore legs and a slight hobble the next day but usually clears up the day after, apart from once where I delayed running for a day. I then found I recovered quicker each time. I think we are asking our legs to do a lot after for me, a break from running of 25 years! Keep going, it really is so worth it.

[EthelTheAardvark Graduate]

Yes it's perfectly normal to have stiff muscles the day after you've pushed yourself harder than your body is used to - even with all the running I do now, if I go for a long hike after not having gone for a while it can be painful the next day. In fact with hiking in particular I often find it's worse 48 hours later. However doing the right kinds of stretches both before and after exercise really helps, and also you'll probably find that if you start your runs very gently and give your muscles time to warm up (as recommended by C25K) the stiffness will gradually ease as you run.

Just keep going, no matter how slowly, and don't be afraid to repeat a week if you don't feel ready to move on. I really struggled with week 1 back in January and repeated week 3 and week 4 but now I run 5K three times a week, which still seems pretty unreal to me!

[MoliJ Graduate]

I agree with all the other replies to this post. My legs were worse when I just sat around all day. Make sure you keep moving about gently throughout the day although your muscles hurt and use ice.

[Fluffiness Graduate]

Are you stretching your muscles properly pre/post session - that should ease it off a bit and try to be active on the in between days also.