Week 9 and run 2. So far I have not skipped a beat and have finished every run.
But today, from the get go, my calves and shins were hurting more than normal.
I nearly stopped twice at 10 and 12 minutes.
Then at 18 minutes I couldn’t run any more and I had to stop.
My calves and shins feel ok now (6 hours later)
Any advise? Should I try again tomorrow? Wait a few days?
Cheers
That’s a shame Toonraida but you’ve come such a long way! Are you making sure you’re well hydrated? Do you do any stretches before you run? There are some on the NHS website under ‘how to stretch before a run’ and it might help you. You might find with the longer runs that you’re better with 2 days between runs rather than just one. Do a different sort of exercise on your non-running days. Don’t run on consecutive days, at this stage of your running the body tissue needs time to heal itself after running. Put the run down as practice and next time you get out there, you’ll fly through it!
Cheers - sound advice - I don't stretch before, just do the 5 min brisk walk!
I'd definitely support Oldgirlruns advice. The dynamic stretching before a run is good, and the stretching afterwards too. I frequently left more than one day between runs so that I knew I felt ok when I headed out. I found pilates really helpful - getting a stronger core and glutes seems to help. I did ankle strengthening exercises on non-running days, and the NHS runners exercises that help to strengthen your knees - I was really worried about my knees.
The main thing is not to beat yourself up about not finishing a run: it's all learning. Keep your spirits up & chalk it up to experience!
I'm sorry to hear that you've had a bad run. As the others have said stretching and hydration are likely the key. Another important way to help avoid cramp is drinking an Isotonic drink before you start. Your body needs water but it also needs electrolytes to perform. Drinks like Lucozade and Powerade are a good off the shelf option but long term a bit pricey. My preference is SIS Go Electrolyte you buy it as a powder and mix it up with water. It's much cheaper in the long run.
As above with adding some dynamic stretches before run and keeping on the post run stuff. How’s your hydration? It’s quite a bit hotter than recently, which can knock it out a little.
I’d keep to the rest day... 18 minutes is still a significant run... and if there’s any doubts in your head, it wasn’t long ago that 18 minutes was impossible. If you fancied an extra rest day, you’ll come back with fresher legs than you’ve been used to as well... but that’s your call.
For what it's worth I tried compression socks, and they worked for me.
I just graduated yesterday, but I was having problems with my calves as well, I tried lots of the great advise on here, I also bought aTheragun and pummelled my muscles! It seems to help, but not sure about the science behind it.
So you didn’t finish the 30 mins BUT you did run for 20 mins which if you think back a few weeks ago wouldn’t have seemed possible....so well done you 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I’ve got to say that I did leave more than 1 day between the longer runs to rest....where I’d walk or surf Instead 😊 stretch is probably good advice too although I only used the 5 min warm up/ cool down 😬
Exactly the same thing happened to me, except it was my final run week 9 run 3. I felt weirdly exhausted and although my breathing was fine I stopped at 16 mins...I have myself a couple of days until I stated feeling a bit more energetic then have done the final 30 mins plus an extra five so I felt like I'd really cracked it. I'm now on week one maintenance and did my first 5k in 30 mins...before that I hadn't quite got the distance. I just think sometimes you just feel a bit off. Stretching is a good idea and drinking plenty but don't worry, you'll definitely do it. Just see it as a mini workout.... Nothing wrong with shorter runs, I think you have to see the positive that you got out there. Regularity is what I'm aiming for, I have often taken up excersise only to stop once I had a really difficult run. I'm trying to focus more on doing it regularly x
You had a practice run, we all have them from time to time. 😉
I use an exercise called 100-up as my warm up. It's pretty old school, I think, but it's dynamic and gets my heart and running muscles in gear before I leave the house. Works for me, Google it and see what you think. 🤷♀️
Well done for getting this far. I second adding days in between. I’ve heard foam rollers are good?? I may try the socks too! Good luck 😊
Foam rollers work for me along with an additional days rest when I can feel the extra tightness in the lower legs in addition to maintaining the stretching and hydration.
It’s all positive though. 15mins or 20mins is still going out the door and improving your fitness and mental state.
It’s early doors still in asking your body to take on this continuous running lark, I wouldn’t be overly concerned. Just one of those days.
Don't worry too much you are doing great! Ditto with regards to the fluid intake and isotonic/ energy drinks. It may also be best if you do your running during the coolest points in the day to avoid loosing too much fluids through perspiring and take a drink with you. Try and slow down if you are getting tired. Early morning runs are best for me. Cooler temperatures and not too busy. Good luck, not long to go now. X
Hi there you may also want to make sure your trainers are giving you the right support also run heel down first and lift off from toe. There are some great exercises you can do to help with shins. Heel toe raises are brilliant. Good luck.
Definitely do not try tomorrow as you are not meant to run consecutive days - have you been doing that? It is maybe that you are needing a couple of rest days? Have you been warming up and stretching out before/after previous runs? Lots of reasons it could be - some days I can run and run and others I am watching every single minute! Just rest a couple of days, massage out your legs and then repeat!!
Thanks for all the great advice - feeling better today and going to give it another go on Tuesday! 
Week 5 Run 2
Week 9, Run 2
Week 2 Run 3 - total disaster :(
Week 9 Run 2
Week 2 Run 3
