A new route today and a query as a result! - Couch to 5K

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A new route today and a query as a result!

Angelpoppy profile image
AngelpoppyGraduate
โ€ข22 Replies

Visited my parents this weekend who have relocated 200 miles away to beautiful Yorkshire. I had asked them to look out for somewhere my daughter and I could run whilst up there and they took us to a lovely local park. It was the first time that we have run somewhere other than our wonderful local regional park and although it was a lovely park, it wasn't a patch on our usual route! We're such creatures of habit ๐Ÿคญ

One thing it laid bare was how much harder it felt running on concrete. Our usual run is through woodland so the ground is not as hard. Looking forward to later in the year when it's dark earlier, I had been thinking we'd run around our local streets instead for security purposes, but now I'm worried about how hard that will be on my ageing knees! I've got lots of time to sort the issue out of course, but wondered if anyone has any tips/advice?

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Angelpoppy profile image
Angelpoppy
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22 Replies
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Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduate

Iโ€™ve only ever run of concrete, never really occurred to me to not. Now I think I may have missed a trick ๐Ÿ˜‚

I actually have a dodgy knee so I currently wear a brace, only cost me a fiver off eBay but holds it in place, I know you can pay more and get much better quality ones.

I have recently been looking into compression socks/tights as they apparently help and facilitate blood flow around muscles and joints ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™‚๏ธ

One other thing to look at maybe is buying a more cushioned running shoe, or add more cushioned insoles to your current shoe ๐Ÿ˜Š

Angelpoppy profile image
AngelpoppyGraduateโ€ข in reply toDtay1978

Thanks Dtay, I guess it's what you get used to ๐Ÿ˜„ I'm probably being a total drama queen about the concrete ๐Ÿ˜‚ I'm definitely going to invest in new trainers as I haven't done do far, I guess they will be able to advise too?

Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduateโ€ข in reply toAngelpoppy

Yes I would imagine now the shops have reopened youโ€™ll be able to go and have your gait analysis done as well if you like ๐Ÿ˜Š

Angelpoppy profile image
AngelpoppyGraduateโ€ข in reply toDtay1978

I'm definitely going to have a gait analysis done- have you done that?

Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduateโ€ข in reply toAngelpoppy

No, I just browsed the web, reading reviews for a couple of weeks looking at different styles and just picked the one I thought would give me the best support ๐Ÿ˜Š

Angelpoppy profile image
AngelpoppyGraduateโ€ข in reply toDtay1978

Hope they worked out OK! What did you end up with? I think gait analysis and new trainers won't be cheap as it'll be for me and my two daughters, but I think it'll be worth it ๐Ÿคž

Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduateโ€ข in reply toAngelpoppy

ASICS Gel Kayano 26 I think theyโ€™re called, pricey but have been completely worth it so far. I think itโ€™s the one thing as a runner you canโ€™t underestimate the importance of.

I also invested in some tights earlier, approaching the grand age of 42 and I can honestly say I never thought I would ever say that in my life ๐Ÿ˜‚

They are compression tights designed for running, apparently they help to circulate blood flow to your muscles and reduce vibrations. This apparently helps reduce swelling and aids recovery ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™‚๏ธ

Angelpoppy profile image
AngelpoppyGraduateโ€ข in reply toDtay1978

Interesting! I don't wear tights in normal life so I can't imagine running in them ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ˜

I definitely agree though, a decent investment in trainers is necessary, it's on my to do list when school finishes next week (as well as writing a final 10,000 word report for my Masters degree ๐Ÿ˜ซ)

Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduateโ€ข in reply toAngelpoppy

Wow! I donโ€™t envy you that. Hope work wasnโ€™t to difficult for you during all the covid drama ๐Ÿ˜Š

Angelpoppy profile image
AngelpoppyGraduateโ€ข in reply toDtay1978

Ahhh ty, it was a crazy time! No time to prepare for closure, straight into online teaching, it was a very strange time. My year group was called back first, so we've been back since the 1st of June. It's been absolutely lovely only having a tiny group of 8 children to reach every day ๐Ÿ˜ƒ I do really miss the rest of my class though, sad I missed a whole term with them ๐Ÿ™

Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduateโ€ข in reply toAngelpoppy

Aww bless, what age group do you teach?

Angelpoppy profile image
AngelpoppyGraduateโ€ข in reply toDtay1978

Reception- the littlest ones when they first start school. It's a great year group to teach, they come in barely holding a pencil and leave reading and writing. I always feel very blessed that I do the job I do ๐Ÿ˜Š

Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduateโ€ข in reply toAngelpoppy

Aww, seems a million years ago I walked my two into reception. Sounds very rewarding. I know I couldnโ€™t do it though as Iโ€™m sure you must have an abundance of patience ๐Ÿ˜Š

Angelpoppy profile image
AngelpoppyGraduateโ€ข in reply toDtay1978

Sometimes I surprise myself with my patience levels, I certainly don't remember having unlimited patience reserves with my own two ๐Ÿ˜† feels like an eternity since they both started Reception too, now they're my running partners ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduateโ€ข in reply toAngelpoppy

Thatโ€™s great, my two barely leave their rooms ๐Ÿ˜‚

Angelpoppy profile image
AngelpoppyGraduateโ€ข in reply toDtay1978

๐Ÿ˜‚ my eldest is good and always gas been (she's 20) but the youngest, whose just turned 18 would lie in bed all day given half the chance ๐Ÿ™ˆ she was terribly unfit and I was surprised that she even agreed to do c25k with us, but she's done brilliantly and has kept it up, we've spurred each other along esp after my eldest has gone back to her uni house for a bit. My most amazing moment was when the 18 year old came out at 6.30am with me on one of the really hot days ๐Ÿ˜„ She even enjoys running sometimes these days ๐Ÿคฃ

Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduateโ€ข in reply toAngelpoppy

Wow! Thatโ€™s really good, my eldest is 17 and she barely gets dressed lately ๐Ÿ™„๐Ÿ˜‚ my youngest is 15 and heโ€™s been really good during lockdown, getting up to actually do his work during school hours ๐Ÿ˜ฎ and heโ€™s even left the house a couple of times ๐Ÿ˜‚

Angelpoppy profile image
AngelpoppyGraduateโ€ข in reply toDtay1978

Kids eh ๐Ÿคฃ

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

A hard surface creates more impact stresses but you will probably find it is faster.

Don't wear trail shoes for extended runs on hard surfaces.

Grass is gentler and stresses joints less, as pointed out in the guide to the plan, and the uneveness works your ankles more, so strengthens them quicker than being on hard surfaces.

Angelpoppy profile image
AngelpoppyGraduateโ€ข in reply toIannodaTruffe

Thank you, that's really useful to know, I'd forgotten about the grass thing in the guide, will re-read ...not sure I was any faster on the concrete though ๐Ÿ˜‚

SquareBear profile image
SquareBearGraduate

Hi Angel

I only run on the road at the moment.

It was only when I completed the C25K that I treated myself to new running shoes. I took in my old shoes and they said they were trail shoes! Who knew?

Now I have super comfy road shoes that have lots of cushioning.

So now I have shoes for both terrains!

Well done on your running.

Angelpoppy profile image
AngelpoppyGraduate

That's really helpful, thank you. I definitely need to visit a proper shop and get some advice...I really have no idea what my current trainers are suitable for ๐Ÿ™ˆ

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