WK7 R1 -really hard

[Jovijogger]

WK7 R1 Started Couch to 5K on 29 Dec and have been running every other day since then . Everything has gone so well. I surprised myself by jogging the 20 min on Week 5 and I managed the 25 min jog on Monday for run 3 of week 6 but today’s jog for 25 mins was so hard , I had to walk 4 times for 10-20 seconds, my ankles ached and my legs and arms felt like lead. Is this normal ? I will try again on Friday as I did manage this run on Monday . Maybe I just wasn’t feeling it today after a day home schooling! Hopefully this is just a blip ?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

Everything going on in our lives can impact on our performance as a runner. Restedness, hydration and nutrition are at the top of my list of variables that need to be optimised to enable enjoyable running.

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.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Everyone has a tough run every so often, let’s hope it was just that, I’m sure the next run you will find goes better

[Hidden]

Hi, I felt like that on run 2 of week 8 and was so disappointed 😞 but I had a cold the following day, so perhaps be the same for you.

[blue_robin]

I would say you’re doing brilliantly to keep at it through the winter , success is a measure of all the effort you’ve made and where you started!

I’m not a far along in the programme as you but having a rest day and repeat the same run again is something I’ve had to do 🏃‍♀️