Hi all, I have just been for a run, if I could call it that. Does anyone else go so slowly that it's hard to get past people who are taking a stroll? I stopped running due to an operation I had 8 weeks ago, and I have just taken my first steps back out again (I have done one other run since my operation). I am 6llb heavier (lockdown, Christmas and lack of exercise) but felt as though I was carrying a car on my back! My legs felt like ton weights and my breathing was really laboured. I went back to week 4 but really did struggle. I may go back to week one and begin again. It's so hard. Does anyone else feel really uncoordinated and heavy when they run? I feel as though there is nobody as bad as me out there! I will persevere but even when I achieved week 9, and was 'running' almost daily for 30 minutes, I still felt heavy and slow. I would love to feel comfortable when I run. Am I missing something? Thanks and happy running all.
Phew, that was hard work!: Hi all, I have just... - Couch to 5K
Phew, that was hard work!
I can’t answer what week you should start at. That decision is yours and yours alone.
I know a bloke who’s been running for years. Does half marathons on a regular basis. Even he says his first ten minutes are torture and he always tells himself to stop as he’s so uncomfortable, and he’s been running for years. So you being uncomfortable for half an hours running is totally understandable. I think us new runners all think we are plodders. Just tell yourself at least you’re getting out and giving it a good go. Better than still sitting on the couch. Good luck and hope you stick with it.
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. It definitely helps knowing that others feel the same. I probably will go back to week 1 and build my strength up again. Onwards and upwards!
Well done for getting back out there.
As stated in the guide to the plan, healthunlocked.com/couchto5... you lose no significant condition in the first two weeks of non running.
After that loss of condition is gradual.
All any of us can do after a lay off is to go out and see what we can comfortably manage, then build back up gently, using C25k or something similar as a guide to weekly increase. Always better to err on the side of caution.
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.
No wonder I have heavy legs then as I didn’t drink anything at all before my run!! Neither did I do any warm ups so I have only myself to blame. Thanks for your reply, I’ll definitely take that onboard. I do need to go back to week 1 I feel, give myself time to build up my stamina and shed some pounds. Thanks 😊
Read the guide through. It will help.
Thank you! I’m 66 on Monday so I do need to stop behaving like a 30 year old and expecting to perform like one!
Haha, I'm with you, over 70, only just make 3km in 30 minutes and must drink more water. Thanks for your question. I just had surgery too and will have to stop for at least 4 weeks and the answers helped me too. Try taking a day off between runs instead of running almost daily🙂.Good luck👏👏
Thanks Coolfemme, it's good to know there are some other golden oldies out there! Young at heart of course. I hope that the surgery went well and that you're back running soon. I'm very reassured by your times as I think that's exactly the same pace that I go. I'm always embarrassed when I try to 'run' past someone who is strolling along at a leisurely pace! I will do that, have a days rest, I might do some yoga stretches on those. Good luck to you too 👍👍
I’m a 66 year old also who thinks their 30! Not necessarily a bad thing as don’t feel too old to try new things. I was sceptical but drinking water really does seam to help. Good luck.
That's great to hear Dancer54, in my head I am 30 but my body doesn't quite agree. My lodger, who is 26 years of age, goes flying up the road at a rate of knots and I am always dismayed that I can't keep up with her - as if!! She's a dot on the horizon within minutes. I'll try the water and a bit of stretching before my next venture out. Thanks and good luck with your runs 👍🏃🏃🏃 I must say that I have never regretted going out for a run, I only ever regret not doing one. I keep that in mind before I set off! 😀
Hi iloverunning perhaps this may help you with those stretches?
healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Thank you, I’ll take a look and incorporate them into my sessions 😊
Yep I have been over taken by a dog walker ( a young goddess in athleisure) We were both dignified about it 😂
I am so relieved to hear that CaptFrey, thank you!! I often feel that I am the only one. I'm tall too so feel that I should run like the wind, rather than like a waddling duck 🦆 I looked at the Japanese slow jogging and that seems the way to go! thanks for making me smile 😀
I just go and take each run as it comes ( mostly slowly) and after injury are back to c25k to rebuild stamina. I have tried to stop comparing myself to what the voices in my head tell me I should be 😁
Yes you’re right, thank you. I see you’re a cat lover like me, I have 4. If I took a leaf out of their book I wouldn’t give two hoots about others and what they think!
You’ve done it before you can do it again, start really slow and drink all through every day, I bought a water bottle I liked and the idea was to keep it by me sipping through the day as someone suggested was a good way to increase hydration, didn’t work for me but a glass of water by the kitchen sink works great I drink it every time I put the kettle on to make tea, I remember following a grey haired couple walking with a little dog once and i never caught them up then slowly over time realised i could overtake most walkers
We are all different and weight gain slows us down, yup I’ve gained over the last year
Read the guide read the advice and take the encouragement we are all cheering you on
Thanks WillowandSola! That's great, and I agree, we are all different and shouldn't aspire to be like anyone else. I'm going to do that with the water - what a great idea as I've already had 3 cups of tea so could have drank three glasses of water by now. Thanks so much for your reply 👍 happy running 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Mind you it is hard work running, take it slow and one day you will realise you are enjoying it and it’s not so hard
I hope so! I'm sure that you're right.......👍🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
I’m pretty slow too. I will sometimes change my route if it looks like a fast walker is going to overtake me or I just can’t get past them due to my slow speed 😂 25 mins is 2.5km for me (just).
The advice about hydration and warm up and cool down exercises is really important though.
Do look at running posture etc.
I had a gait analysis done last year - feet all neutral - but got asked why I was swinging my arms across my body. Apparently a waste of energy and arms should be moving straight at your sides. Felt v strange to try and change this but now used to it and does seem I have more energy to keep going. Would never have known if they hadn’t said. (My sister runs the same and got given same advice! Obviously defective genetic trait - we’re not natural runners 😊)
If you can do Week 4 then I’d carry on from there. Week 1 is surprisingly hard with all the stop starting tho! As long as you’re running tho, it probably doesn’t matter if you decide to start again or jump in halfway so long as you can do that run. Good luck.
Thanks SmilelikeImeanit, I enjoyed reading your post and it has made me feel so much better knowing that I'm not the only one who changes my route when I see a fast walker ahead! I imagine I'm the same speed that you are so that's really good to know. I am definitely going to treat it more seriously and do some stretching and keep hydrated in future. The gait analysis sounds like a good idea as I am sure there is a better way than my way! I just don't ever feel natural when I'm trying to run.
You are right about week 1, I think I'll continue with week 4, I quite like the walking elements to it and I will build up slowly. Thanks and good luck with your journey!
👍😀🏃♀️
Well done ILR for getting back out after your op, that's a very positive mindset you've already found to get going again. I think if it were me, I'd go back to Cto5k and use it to gauge where my fitness is at. If week 1, is too easy try week 2, and so on until you find your base to start out from. You can then build up from there and forgetting about speed while doing this will help you find your natural pace. Don't worry too much about age , I'm a tad older than you and it's true the older a body is, the more wear and tear there may be. However, if we run sensibly and heed the advice re stretches, hydration, rest days etc so highly recommended, we can still give a good account of ourselves without injury.I had similar doubts when I started out, and felt embarrassed about my slow speed, but it does pick up if you keep on running. I don't fully understand whether the breathing gets easier, the strength in the legs grows , or a cumulative mental positivity gained after each run - it's probably all of that. Struggling with aspects of running is not confined to older runners, it can affect all across the ages as we regularly read on this forum.
You've got the will, you're planning how to run, and you're doing it. Just carry on, don't rush it and you will gain confidence which will carry you on to being the best runner that You can be - nothing else matters!
I look forward to reading of your journey.
Best wishes ☺️
Thank you Raisemeup, your post is very positive and reassuring and I will certainly be posting on here again to let people know how I get on with my running journey. I look forward to my next run now, as an experiment to see how I get on, rather than putting a lot of pressure on myself. Best wishes to you too
😊
I've only just started the journey and will start week 2 thus even g. I k ow exactly what you mean ru no g doesny come naturally to me. I think maybe initially its best not to concentrate too much on the 'running' and just get moving. That's how I'm going to deal with it for now but will stand corrected by any experts!
Hi TinaTrots (great name!). It's so nice of you to reply when you're only just getting into it yourself, and of course you are right, just moving is the way forward! We could easily be sofa bound so we need to celebrate being outside moving - thanks for that 👍. Keep us all updated on your journey and good luck! 👍🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
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