Restless legs?: Hi All, does anyone experience... - Couch to 5K

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Restless legs?

JulesL69 profile image
JulesL69Graduate
11 Replies

Hi All, does anyone experience restless legs etc at night after their run that day? For the last few times at night my legs feel restless and my shins feel like they have been burnt by the sun, hot and throbbing? My other half said that it might be muscle strain? I don’t know. Would be nice to see if anyone else is having similar issues and if so what do you do? I’m seeing my physio tomorrow so will ask her also.

Thanks

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JulesL69 profile image
JulesL69
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Frizzbomb67 profile image
Frizzbomb67Graduate

I do get restless legs but it’s more to do with my food issues (that’s another story!) when I began running I was certainly very aware that my calves and ankles were achy for the whole day after a run. Stretching them throughout the day helped. A month on and a few more miles in the legs I don’t ache nearly so much after a run and my legs don’t bother me. Hope it improves for you too.

JulesL69 profile image
JulesL69Graduate in reply to Frizzbomb67

Thanks for the reply. It’s a different kind of sensation than aching calves etc, more of a burning throbbing restless sensation down the front of both legs. I did wonder if I should take some magnesium supplements? I will see if they calm down as I progress through the programme.

Frizzbomb67 profile image
Frizzbomb67Graduate in reply to JulesL69

Oh I see. I’m Salicylate Sensitive (severe asprin sensitivity) there is a tiny bit of asprin like compound in most fruits and veg so ironically if my diet gets too healthy I start to suffer 😏. You may want to keep a good diary just to see if certain foods or drinks trigger it. Magnesium will help your body detox as will an Epsom salt bath, which just feels great anyway! Hope things improve.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

It might be micro-tears in the muscles from the running exercise. This is why you need rest days. If it is, it should improve over time as your muscles get stronger.

Are you doing any post-run stretches? If not, they might help.

JulesL69 profile image
JulesL69Graduate in reply to nowster

Hi. Yes, I do post run stretches and have rest days. I run Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday so plenty of rest? Hopefully it will improve over time. They are probably wondering what the hell I’m doing. 🙈

VPOLLIE67 profile image
VPOLLIE67Graduate

I hope you’re legs are okay! I started stretching more when I get home and it seemed to ease any knots. My knees however are something else!!!

mattymoo33 profile image
mattymoo33

Hiya. I take a magnesium supplement for restless legs, works for me. You can also get it in a gel formula which you can massage in. I know it's an awful sensation. I think mine were brought on by a low dose of sleeping meds.

Good luck 😃

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Stretching immediately after every run, nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/h... while muscles are still warm and supple, pulls out contractions, avoiding carrying tensions into the next run and also improves recovery by improving blood flow, as recommended in the guide to the plan.

Many people do not hold their stretches for long enough or put enough effort in. Hold post run stretches for 30 seconds and make sure the pull is strong enough to be on the verge of discomfort.

JulesL69 profile image
JulesL69Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Thanks ... would that explain the burning legs sensation ? I do stretch but will focus on how long.

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate

I haven’t had that burning pain before. Google suggests that it’s shin splints. Rest and ice seem popular remedies as well as calf stretches. Apparently a symptom of shin splints is calf tightness.

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate

I get restless legs & leg cramps at night if I’m a bit low on salt - so if I’m exercising in warm weather or staying in a hotter country it can happen. Not sure if it’s the same thing ( I don’t have a burning sensation) ... but eating a couple of pinches of salt sort this out for me. 😄

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