New me.

[Notjustchips]

I’m 59 and just started week 2. I suffered after W1R3 with Achilles and knees so took four rest days and did W1R3 again a couple of days ago. Just done W2R1 this morning. I did lots of stretching before and after but Achilles are very tender again. Lots of good tips on here and some really motivating stories so let’s hope these aches and pains go as the running improves.

[edwardkerrison]

Well done just take it slowly And you will get there. Remember the tortoise and the hare!!

[PickledRadish]

What kind of stretches are you doing before your run? Static stretches done pre-workout can increase the chances of injury, dynamic stretches are more fitted for warming up.

I think some pain is definitely normal, particularly when just starting out. Hang in there, take it slow, get your rest in, all will be swell.

[Now-runner_NeedsAttn Graduate]

I would be very careful. I injured my right Achilles and it took months to recover but then I was running 5Ks regularly until out of nowhere I injured my left one and that took even longer to recover even though I knew a lot more about the process. I'm older than you and the body is less resilient than the "youngsters" under 40!

[Notjustchips]

Thanks for your replies. I’m doing a dynamic stretching routine, first time I’ve done it. after the runs I am doing some static stretching. I still find that my Achilles feel sore towards the last of the runs and feel stiff all day for the next day or two. I’m hoping they just need to get used to being stretched a bit more than they are used to.

[Cf12345 Graduate]

I’m 56 and was new to running. I had aches in calves and knees until week 5 - used to love my electric blanket at night to soothe them. I was always mindful of difference between ‘waking muscles up’ type aches and on the look out for pain - the latter would’ve made me rest. To put simply, listen to your body - the aches do improve and sounds like you’re doing great with the warm up and down routine - there is one on the NHS C25k link and I found doing those really improved things for me.Keep going - wishing you all the best and agree, this area is great for support 😊

[Notjustchips]

Thanks for your replies. Well I finished week 2. Due to my job, where I move around between different areas in Cornwall I found that I had to push a bit harder as the last two runs had hill starts. Not just gentle inclines, serious hills. After the last run I was in a bit of pain all day, despite stretching etc so I gave it three days before run 1 of week 3. I was back to relatively flat ground by then. Usual warm up and five minute walk was ok and I completed the run ok but what agony I have been in with the backs of my calf’s and achilles since. It’s been 5 days now and it’s just starting to ease as I walk. I have been rubbing in voltarol gel for three days and just started stretching a bit in the mornings but still not right. (People are asking if I have hurt myself as I limp by them)! I will give it another week before doing any runs again, that is if the pain has gone away when I walk. If not I shall carry on with the stretches and wait till the pain goes.I have now done some research and found that hill running is a no no if you are just starting out, as well as running on uneven ground. (Should have researched this before hand).

Thanks again for all the replies.😬