W4R1 - The Toughest Challenge.

[Jcksam]

This post is a day late. I didn’t want my wing man who was running today to know how tough I found it.

It had rained all day and just as I was preparing myself the sun came out, I had a glass of water and 1/2 a banana 1/2 an hour before setting off, I was unsure how I’d get on I was ready to do this.

The 1st 3min run went well but the 90sec walk was over all too quickly but after 5mins I thought it went ok, the sun was out but the path was damp, I tried not to think about slipping, I’ve fallen before at work and the recovery at my age took a long time.

The next 3min was harder than the first then I was walking but not long enough and I was running. Now for a confession at 2 1/2 mins I stopped, I didn’t walk I just stopped for about a minute and then started to run again, I did run for an additional minute when I was supposed to be walking though.

Question: While I’m running in every footfall I’ve got pain shooting up my shins and calves to my knees, could this be because of inferior shoes? I was going to go to a proper running shop for shoes by week 7 but I think I may have to go sooner. What’s the wisdom of re doing week 3 if I find this one too much?

[nowster Graduate]

Are you over-striding and landing on your heel?

Some common running pains: nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/k...

[Jcksam in reply to nowster]

I’m pretty tall and I’m making a conscious effort to keep a short stride.

Fir years I’ve watch people out jogging as if they’d soiled themselves, I thought it wasn’t what I called running, I now know why they ran that way. Thanks.

[nowster Graduate in reply to Jcksam]

The trick is to land your foot under your centre of gravity, so you're toppling forward.

Running is repeatedly falling forward with grace. 😜

[Jcksam in reply to nowster]

There’s nothing graceful about me it’s more of a medium shuffle!

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Hey Mister

Whilst I' still fairly new to this running malarkey myself... I will give you the benefit of some of my learns!

I went for gait analysis before the big run on week 5 (and I can confidently say I wish i had gone sooner!)

At my age i thought it best to protect the ol knees and bones by proper running shoes.... they are a game changer! honestly... Book in and sort some.. I didn't realise just how poor my running shoes were until i got my new ones.

re your pain.... it could be you are taking too big a stride- only yesterday i made a conscious effort to reduce mine as i've only got little legs and it felt so much better....

There is a thing called shin splints..... read up on them ... see if it could possibly be the start of them.. in any case i think you would benefit from the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate)

I'm sure there are people more experienced on here that will help further ...just wanted to say well done for starting.. its a magical programme!.. wait til you see as you progress!.... It's one of the best things you have done!.. promise!

[Jcksam in reply to Tinytears60]

Thank you I’ll definitely be looking into new shoes and you’re not the only one to mention shin splints. I tend to just put my head down and not worry too much about pain, last year I thought I had trapped wind and it turned out to be a burst appendix. You’d think I’d learn but no!

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Jcksam]

Such a bloke thing to do! 🙈🤣

Sorry to sound bossy but shin splints can end up being stress fractures if you don’t listen to your body... I read up on them cos I had sore shins... please take care cos it will spoil your progress and journey on here’s d that would be such a shame...

it does sound like it could be that... when you go for a gait analysis try a proper running shop and have a chat with them... where I went were amazing... so knowledgeable .. I felt in capable hands and they both ran . So they knew their stuff..

Seriously try the RICE and do low impact stuff .. cycling rather than running and walking...

looking after it now will benefit you in the long run 👏👏

[Jcksam in reply to Tinytears60]

I don’t mind you being bossy, I need a bit of bossiness sometimes being just a man! 😳😁. There’s a shop not far away that’s ran by a runner, it was started by a couple who both ran but he unfortunately died. I’m hoping they’ll be able to advise me. I’m off work this week.

So you’re saying try not to run again this week?

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Jcksam]

Awwwell I’m being bossy in the nicest of ways coz I want you to enjoy this... after all you’ve joined it which is fab!

When I felt like that I didn’t run... having been bitten by the running bug it was frustrating not to run but I know someone on here who was on the injury couch and he made me realise it’s not a place you want to be... in fact ... Instructor57 do you know anything about shin splints?....

to put your mind at rest .. they are fixable (is there such a word!) 🤣

Book your shoe appt and give yourself a few days off!.. it will be beneficial I think ( like I say I’m no expert... just from what I’ve read)

it’s becos we not used to exercise (how lazy did I feel when I read that!).. the thing is I do a fair bit of walking with my job so was shocked but then running is different..

I went on my bike Saturday and I was a sceptic but it really didn’t impact my shins but I still felt like I got exercise.

Let us know how you get on with your shoes 👟 👟 👏👏

[Jcksam in reply to Tinytears60]

I will, I’ve a bike in the shed that (embarrassingly) I’ve never been on. I’ll have a go in that. It is frustrating though, funny thing is I was going to have this week off as I have my 6 year old sine this week and didn’t have anyone to look after him on Sunday then I managed to arrange something last minute, I’d have been better having it off!

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Forgot to say ... if you did week 3 then progress onto week 4 but don't progress off week 4 until you have completed all the runs!.. you're doing brilliant and its your personal journey .. so there is no rush!..