I got injured from running in the wrong shoes and too fast after w2r3 so had to have a week off and then took the next week to run gently off plan and see if I could carry on to week 3 again. As a new runner I just wanted to share my experience with those of us starting off and highlight a few oops moments I made so you may avoid it.
Lessons from my trainers:
In the beginning I wasn't sure which trainers to use, I like to buy pretty trainers anyways so I was sure I'd have a pair I could use to start running in. 1st I used a pair quite light and flat, this was my first lesson it taught me my right ankle rolls in and I needed ankle support.
Lesson 2 and another pair of trainers, too tight round the toes makes my feet ache and will result in blisters oops. But the ankle support really helped my running form feel more comfortable. I just needed more toe room when running and breathable fabric.
Lesson 3 and another pair of trainers, so after the past 2 pairs I grabbed my walking trainers designed for walking they roll as you walk because of the shape of the bottom. Well running is sort of like walking right? Erm well actually no it's quite different, these trainers aren't helpful for running. Because of the design made for a lower impact they have a harder heavier sole. And that really hurt my knees. I used them twice because I thought they would help. That second time my knees were painful they literally felt smashed in, in the sockets. Which was strange because the 1st run in them didn't hurt. So I stuck with them for that 2nd run. Anyway, this led me to a week off running to heal up and doing some flexibility and strength training to help my ankle rolling, very tight hip flexor and obviously letting my knees heal, and a second week of plan b, doing gentle runs on grass mainly as its not so tough on your joints (especially knees), so I didn't get that injury worse. I also bought another pair of trainers while heeling in that first week, that had everything I personally needed. So ankle support, roomy toes with breathable fabric and a bottom designed for minimal heel strike. And gained a good few lessons learnt in a short period of time. Which could have been avoided getting a gait analysis normally but ya know lockdown has everything closed.
My point is this is a process and don't be disheartened as a new runner, there are 26 letters to the alphabet and that means you have that many side track plans 😉 you're bound to face a lot of them as you learn but don't let that defeat you. Good luck everyone!
Fish, chips and mushy peas!
Hello all - 71 years old and hoping to run!
