Newbie Struggling tbh

[Animal97]

Completed week 2 run 2 last Thursday and have been struggling with very painful knees so run 3 yet to complete. I suffer with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and think this is a flare because of the high impact on the joints. I’ve been resting up but even a gentle walk with the dogs leaves me in agony. Feeling like a failure so early on and not sure when I’m going to be able to try and get run 3 done. Any other RA sufferers who can give me some tips?

[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, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[Tigerbear1 Graduate]

I had the same experience on WK 1 back in June. Had a physio session over zoom and got some strength exercises for my legs/feet. I had to completely rest ( even stopped going for my walks as it had become more of a hobble!) I began C25K again 3 weeks and started strapping my knee up. I’m now on WK3 and did my second run this morning. Not a peek from my knee. Hope that helps. 🙂

[Animal97 in reply to Tigerbear1]

Thanks for replying. I need to talk to my consultant but think he might advise this approach. Guess patience is required.

[Rising60 Graduate]

I too got through two weeks, and then in week 3 my knees started to hurt. I don't have RA, so it may just be the unaccustomed exercise. I've always walked a lot, and I invested in new running shoes after gait analysis, so I was dismayed. I've started the strength & flex programme, but 10 days on I haven't yet tried running again. My knees have improved, but aren't yet back to normal. Fingers crossed!

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Everyone knows what I am going to ask, but what sort of surfaces have you been running on? If roads/pavements/tarmac, even hard trails, is there anywhere you can get that is gentler on the body? I try to avoid hard surfaces especially more than twice in consecutive runs.

It's fair to say that a lot of people without underlying health conditions experience some aches and pains at the beginning - although RA pain is a particular sort of pain and you know your own body. It's easy to think it will get worse as the runs will get 'harder' but they don't really, we learn to slow down and adopt a looser motion as the running segments get longer.

Good luck and don't stint on the pain relief (whatever that is for you, pharmacological and/or non-)

[Daughter-of-Triton]

I do not have RA, I am sorry you are in pain. I have very painful knees too but I put deep heat on them each night and then half hour before each run some ibuprofen gel. I am finding this helps a lot which stretches too. I am about to start week 4. Have you spoken to you GP, may be able to help ? Good luck 😉

[Itra]

Hi, I suffer with Fibromyalgia and injured my knee falling in week 3. I have been stupid in pushing myself because I was doing it for charity and after running the full 5k I am now in an ankle to thigh brace with a damaged patella tendon! My advice would be to take it slowly. It isn’t a big issue if you only do one run a week, the program still works if you do. I was doing fine doing that up till week 6 (before I got silly and jumped to 5k) a hinged knee brace is extremely helpful, I got a really good one on Amazon from THK copper, which is woven with copper which is good for things like RA. Before running stretch. Try and run as much on grass as possible, it certainly makes a difference. Week 3 appears to cause a lot of people knee pain. Hope this helps.x

[JoePhoto Graduate]

Hi, I don't have RA but just want to urge you take your time and discern what's right for you long-term. Hope you find some useful advice - and congrats for even starting! I guess we all have our health concerns but some impact more than others - fell a few weeks back and cracked a rib; gradually getting up to speed. Go for it, however works for you: respect!

[Animal97]

Thanks for all the support everyone, much appreciated. I've rested up and only taken gentle walks over the last week and a half. Today is the first day that my knees feel a lot less painful although they have been terrible at night. I have a virtual appointment with my RA consultant next week so am hoping he tells me that I can continue with the programme.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

It’ll probably go in a week or so. Loads of people get this in week 2 and 3! Take ibuprofen and ice the area 3-4 times a day.