I’m struggling with my legs! My bones to be precise. My story is short. I started C25K last Monday, I then went for my second run on Wednesday. On both occasions I was slow and steady, I knew I couldn’t push to hard but grit determination in my mind was keeping me going for the 60 second jog sections. On Wednesday evening when I got home my legs were in utter agony. The pain ran along the inside of my lower leg bone, gentle massage and an Epsom salt bath seemed to do the trick! On Saturday I set off to do day three in new running shoes but I couldn’t manage it. I walked for 5 minutes, which was fine, then I had to do 60 seconds jog - I was in agony again. I did the remainder of the session just walking! I am now fearful to run again.
What have I done?
Can I just add I’ve been walking for some time with my dogs and often go on treks across the countryside to find new footpaths. I can easily walk for 2+ hours. I am also over 14 stone so am I just too heavy?
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DisneyLover74
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Yes, big girls can run. I am just over 15 stone and about to start week 6.
I had the same problem as you when I started, my lower legs and hips were agony and I could barely walk by the time I got home. My first thought was shin splints and I’m too big to do this. But I also knew that I was putting my body through something it hadn’t done in many years.
My first step was to buy some proper running trainers, not cheap but they have helped. I also got some calf compression sleeves, which also helped. Then I slowed right down, and I mean really slow. It sometimes feels like I’m walking rather than running and that I could walk faster, but my running mate tells me I am definitely running (well, slow jogging).
As others on here will tell you, stretching properly before and after each run is very important. You need to warm up those muscles.
Well done for getting out there and starting, make sure you rest but please try again. I nearly stopped due to the pain and discomfort when I ran. I’m so pleased I persevered.
I'm no expert but maybe your pace is too fast or your stride too long. I used to get terrible shin splints, but good shoes (✅), slowing down, and shortening my stride helped a lot. Eventually the pain got to a point where I could push through it, and then went altogether.
Oh a separate note, I was trying to find a good Disney quote to encourage you, but not found one yet 😀. There must be hundreds.
Yes they can! I’m similar weight and also struggled early on in the programme. I already played football so knew I could run short stints but the 5 mins etc was tough.
Dynamic stretching before the run and static stretching after is key. There are links in the guide to Couch25k.
Eccentric heel drops before and after running are really good to prevent calf pain.
I probably spend as much time stretching before running as I do on the run!
Foam roller also helps post run or just massaging your leg with your hands.
I started this journey at just under 19stone. C25K and slimming world I am now down to 16 and I completed C25K at the end of August. You are not too big to run. I struggled at the beginning with my knees. Take extra rest days, ( I had 2 weeks rest because I could barely walk never mind run) what ever you do don’t run injured it will make it worse. And drink plenty of water I believe it helps muscle recovery. Keep going this is a fantastic program that’s changed my life.
You're in good company, another big girl here although not quite so big now I'm on week 6 😁
Also started at 14 stone 6lb - hard to admit but true! Yep the first week or so was hard for my body to get used to but it did.
I just took on board all the daily advice I was given, hydrate plenty, not just on run days, every day, especially the days before runs, do stretches before and after, helps with recovery massively.
I'm also doing a lazy version of keto so I'm down 5kg since starting, running alone isn't going to fix my big ass but it really is helping 💪
Lazy keto is more Low Carb High Fat. I don't stick to the 20g carb rule like you do when you do strict Keto. I'm probably having 50g carbs per day and still losing a kg+ per week. I do still monitor carbs and my intake is nothing like when I used to do diets like WW or SW. I'm eating meat, fish, nuts, eggs, avocados, cheeses, loads of green veggies and salad stuff. Works for me and I'm not a tiny bit hungry like I was on other eating plans. But we are all different. X
Like I said we are all different. I don't consider it a diet, carbs don't agree with me at all, I always feel tired, sluggish and bloated so keto works for it but it won't work for everyone. X
Keep going at your own pace. Take the rest you need. Some of us do go slower and it slowly comes I feel like l am walking at times but I am slow jogging.
Wk 6 and I couldn’t run prior to starting. I started a new route and it is flatter and no cambers on the footpaths or leaves to slip on.
The warm ups and cool downs are important and water too.
I had a huge buzz yesterday when a lady in a car pulled in and said she had seen my progress and thought I was amazing we all need a boost so hung in there and enjoy the journey with us larger folks🤣
I am 5 foot 1 and prob around the same weight as you and I felt the same when I started absolutely could not run at all and 60 seconds felt like an hour and I graduated today .... Tbh once you break the barrier of thinking you can't do it you will
Trust me of I can anyone can .....
Steady yourself don't be too hard on yourself and try again 🙂
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