W7r3 complete - heavy legs at times

[Karen59er]

Here I am moaning again but beginning to notice improvement and feeling a tiny bit pleased with myself, starting slowly, continuing at a slow steady pace and reining in the negative thoughts and self-imposed pressure to go further. During the runs now I'm beginning to have alternating moments of feeling really fab and running free and easily (maybe for a few seconds!) and then running like I've got 4pints of milk attached to each foot (especially for the first 5-10 minutes of the run) - both feelings happen about 2 or 3 times during the run. But the free and easy moments are real nuggets and "highs" and the ones I remember to motivate myself to get out and run. I would not have thought I'd feel this way if you'd asked me after my W6r3.

That little halfway bell - I keep willing it not to ring so that I can get a bit further but it is tantalisingly going off just before where I want to reach each time. I'm also finding I'm a bit slower on the return.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done.

Heavy legs can be symptomatic of poor hydration. As a runner you need to drink a minimum of 2.5 -3 litres of fluid each and every day, running or not, as mentioned in the guide and this post about hydration healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

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.

[Karen59er Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

thank you for the excellent advice, as always - that sounds like a lot of water so I clearly haven't been drinking enough (or stretching)

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Karen59er]

Both really can make a huge difference.

[Blossom- Graduate]

Do you know about the 'toxic ten" - the first 10 mins or so when you start a run? I think there's info in the pinned posts or Google it. That may explain why you're feeling how you're feeling. Good luck, and well done for getting this far. The podium is in sight!☺️

[Karen59er Graduate in reply to Blossom-]

Thank you Blossom - no I hadn't but that sounds spot on! I will research!! Great advice!