Still struggling

[Scruff55]

I graduated last august (I think) but did it all on a treadmill so I transferred outside in October starting at W5. I have run the odd 30 minutes but seem to be plagued by ankle injuries mainly Achilles tendinitis which seems to flare up if I run for longer than about 25 minutes. I run 3x per week and normally manage 20 -25 minutes on 1of these runs but otherwise they are 20 minute runs. I’m 65 and have never run distances before only did sprints and hurdles when I was at school. Any guidance would be gratefully received.

[DexD Graduate]

Hello - I've been pondering something similar ... this is my second time doing Couch25k and I'm now in week 8 about to do Run 3 tomorrow. I'm doing it - but running slowly and a little dismayed that it is still so arduous every the run is longer than 20 mins. I'm 66 and know I'm no athlete but I'd hoped to begin enjoying the runs by now. Touch wood, I've been injury-free, just had aching calves but warm-up exercises suggested on the forum are helping. I'll try the consolidation program when I finish c25k this time - but if over 20-mins continues to be such hard work, am wondering if if would make more sense/be more sustainable long-term to stick to running for 20 minutes 3 x a week - and work on picking up pace, better technique etc?

[Scruff55 Graduate in reply to DexD]

Thanks for getting back to me. I manage 20 minutes quite easily most runs even enjoy the odd one or two. Just thought it would be easier to increase length of time running than it is proving I tried to increase my pace but found that really hard. Maybe I’m just built to run for 20 minutes at a time.

[Newbie59 Graduate]

Hi, it's interesting to hear about the treadmill. My knees had started to play up walking up hill. I am 65 and have been a regular walker for 40 years, walking up mountains in the Lake District in my younger days, but still doing hills until the lockdown. I started C25K outdoors in April to keep up my fitness, and my knees have been fine, I am quite surprised actually. The programme builds up gradually and I think it may have strengthened my knees. Perhaps moving from treadmill to outdoors you need to start gradually to build up your running rather than go straight to the 25 minutes.

[Scruff55 Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

Thanks for getting back to me. I’m beginning to think I’m only built to run for 20 minutes at a time so I might try to do two runs with a five minute walk in between and see how that goes. I can’t say I enjoy every run and at the moment if I have a bad run I do worry what the next run will be like and if I’ll even make 20 minutes. But hey ho. As someone on here said a run is a run and is better than the couch!!

[Newbie59 Graduate in reply to Scruff55]

I've been thinking along those lines, I will try my first 25 minutes tomorrow and see how it goes. I do hope to graduate with the 30 minute runs but in the long run I imagine I would continue to do 3 x 20-minute runs a week for fitness. Don't think I will ever be signing up for a half marathon! I will post how I get on.

[Scruff55 Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

Morning managed 25 minutes today but it hot out there. Only one more run this week. I’m running 3 x a week and doing it Monday Wednesday and Friday to try to get a routine so roll on Friday and see if I can manage another 25 minute run. I think you really must try to graduate it’s is such an awesome achievement so take the next few weeks slow and steady then as you say do what I’m doing 20 x 3 per week to stay fit. Stay safe.

[Newbie59 Graduate in reply to Scruff55]

Hi, I am so chuffed. I did my first 25 minute run. The best feeling, when Laura says: "Congratulations, you are a runner!"

[iloverunning Graduate]

I love your posts as I always feel reassured! I’m born in 1955 too and have often wondered whether you are! I’ve just started couch to 5k for the third time. I first started it around 5 years ago, found it hard and never felt like a natural runner. However, I persevered for a couple of years, never getting any faster which frustrated me at the time. I only stopped as I was ill at Christmas. Last year I took it up again but have no idea why I stopped again. Here I am again! I run because I enjoy being outside, like to keep fit and like the fact that I have a better shape to my legs! However, I rarely enjoy a run and, like you, have had enough after 20 minutes but carry on for another 10. Only once have I gone longer than 30 minutes as I wanted to do a 5K run - it took me 44 minutes. I’m lucky that so far I’ve not experienced any injuries so can’t help there I’m afraid. Just to say keep it up as you inspire others like me! Today I chatted to another person running in the same park, he looked so well and very fit. He runs 3 or 4 times a week and I was shocked when he told me he’s 81. I’m now hanging on to that as my motivation - I want to be as fit as he is at that age. I hope your ankles get stronger as you’re doing so well. Keep up the good work!

[Scruff55 Graduate in reply to iloverunning]

Thanks for this support. 1955 was a great year most definitely!!! I will keep trying to push myself to run further or for 30 minutes as I do enjoy it and feel so pleased when I manage to run for longer than 20 minutes. I’m glad you have made it back onto this forum and hope you continue to run It does keep us fit and I’m just like you hoping to get to 81 in a fit and healthy state. Happy 🏃‍♀️ running. Stay safe and well in these strange times.

[iloverunning Graduate]

Thanks, you too! Pity we don’t live near to each other as we could have had a run together, motivated each other! Stay safe and keep running 😊

[Scruff55 Graduate]

Thanks. Yes a run together would have been nice as I run alone I’ve never had the chance to run with someone. Never mind we can run together in spirit. Stay safe happy running 🏃‍♀️