Week 9 Run 1

[Chopper26]

Hi everyone,

Just finished the first run of week 9. It was going well until the 21st minute out of the 30min run. I started to feel pain in my shins and my legs felt so heavy. I had to stop briefly to prevent myself from getting an injury.

Has anyone got any tips to push past the heavyleggedness? Would be grateful for any advice

Many thanks

[linda9389 Graduate]

Pushing past heavy legs needs some mind trickery! I like to start counting - maybe down in 3s from 1000 (or from 999 is a bit easier!), or just run to the next bin ... and the next lampost and ..., or do a slow body scan starting from the head and only stop of something is broken or is truly painful, or maybe think of a treat for completing the full distance ... the possibilities are endless.

But, pushing past shin 'pain' may not be so wise. Not meaning to be alarmist, but you need to check whether the shin pain is the start of shin splints - running with shin splints is not such a good idea, especially if the cause has not been addressed. Do you have proper shoes?

[Chopper26 in reply to linda9389]

Thank you for the advice!

As for the shin pain I’m using running shoes but I suspect they aren’t top quality or naturally suited to my feet. I did wonder whether my running style was contributing to the pain I was feeling in my shins...

[linda9389 Graduate in reply to Chopper26]

Have a google, there's lots of advice online regarding shin splints which is a common injury, but definitely take care and keep an eye on it.

[Chopper26 in reply to linda9389]

Thank you I will do! Should probably source myself a foam roller too whilst I’m at it

[Angelpoppy Graduate]

Heavy legal are often caused by dehydration. I've started physically measuring out my daily water intake and it's made a huge difference, even though I've always drunk a lot of water I definitely drink a minimum of 3l, every day. Good luck, not long to go now 😀

[Chopper26 in reply to Angelpoppy]

Thank you for the tip! I don’t measure how much I drink before I go for a run which is something I should do!I’ve unfortunately discovered I do in fact have a shin splint too so will take some time off before retackling week 9

[Angelpoppy Graduate in reply to Chopper26]

Oh no bless you, definitely rest up and you'll be fighting fit for the rest of Week 9. You could start measuring your fluid intake while you're resting up too to get into the habit now, it will definitely help with the heavy legs (not the shins though unfortunately 😬)

[Chopper26 in reply to Angelpoppy]

Thank you! Might also help if I stopped eating so many crisps too whilst I’m at it! Going to try aim for 2ltrs of water a day and see how that goes.

[Angelpoppy Graduate in reply to Chopper26]

Ianodda always says 2.5-3l 🙈😁

[Chopper26 in reply to Angelpoppy]

Well I can always increase it I guess

[Angelpoppy Graduate in reply to Chopper26]

Yes start with the 2l now while your resting and build it up. I feel like all I do all day long is drink water 😂

[Chopper26 in reply to Angelpoppy]

Hopefully it helps me out!