First and last (at least for now!) outside run

[Over60sRunner]

Well, after many weeks of being told how wonderful it is to be running outside, how fab it is, how much better it is, etc etc I tried it this morning and am now a completely broken woman. I only managed 20 minutes niko niko style, all of them painful, then had to stop as my calves felt like they were on the point of explosion....as did my lungs.

I'm going to take a few days/weeks off (depending on how long it takes for my body to feel like it belongs to me again!) then start again back on my trusty 'mill. Right now I literally can't straighten my legs they are so painful, my knees and hips are shot, and my back is in agonising spasm. Prescription strength Co-codmaol is not even touching it and I just pray I haven't done some permanent damage to my already fragile spine as there's no more surgery available for me. One massive step backwards, sad to say.

I was on grass and pretty much on the flat too, but it made no difference at all. The pain started just a few minutes in and gradually built to a crescendo at 20 minutes that was so bad I had to stop and call my husband to come and pick me up. I was literally nearly sick in the car!

Horrible expdrience, so it looks like I will remain a committed treadmill girl and stuff the Park Runs!

[Poppdog Graduate]

Oh no what a shame, only ever run outdoors, but as long as you keep going then what does it matter if it’s in or out. Speedy recovery

[Over60sRunner Graduate in reply to Poppdog]

Indeed Poppdog . I should have just stuck to what works for me....... lesson learned!

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Oh no, sorry to hear this !Take some time to recover , then as you say back on the treadmill .

After all, there is nothing to say you have to run outside OR inside .

Do whatever works for you !

If I think back 24 years ago I used to run on a treadmill at the gym , I could run on that for an hour .

I then tried running outside and only managed about 10 minutes , it felt so alien to me , I didn't try again then 20 odd years later when I started C25K , I started outside , and like most , struggled to start , but as they were short runs I got used to being outside and it became the norm .

Perhaps this was just too much for you for the first time outside ! .

I hope your back running again soon , inside or out !

[Over60sRunner Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks Instructor57 👍 Hopefully some rest will help..............

[nowster Graduate in reply to Over60sRunner]

As a suggestion, maybe do something much lighter next time you try, like even going back to doing Week 1 Run 1 from C25K.

I have only run ever outdoors, never on a treadmill.

[Over60sRunner Graduate in reply to nowster]

I have had a lot of surgery on my knees, hips and spine. With hindsight I should have just stuck with the treadmill as it's much gentler on old knackered joints. As I said, lesson learned 🙄

[MaCherie112 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Yeah, agreed! I think maybe starting with some of the earlier weeks of the programming if transferring to outside, would be best!

[RunBrianRun Graduate]

That sounds horrendous. Good on you for not quitting running altogether. As you say, It certainly looks like the treadmill is the best option for you 👍 I hope you feel better soon and back on the treadmill with no pain, 👍

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

Sorry to hear that. Hope you feel better soon. At least it doesn’t rain on the treadmill. Hope you can get back to it soon.

[Mormor1]

Oh dear, that sounded horrendous, I would never have imagined that running outside would be so very different. I was thinking of joining a gym to run inside for the worst of winter, now I fear it will spoil my outside running which I love. Dilemma

[Sh53202 Graduate]

Poor you. Thank you for sharing even though you feel so awful. It’s very interesting that it should be so different isn’t it. I get a bad back often if I do too much with the running - nothing like your problems - and I have done some treadmill running last winter. I found it was much the same on my joints - I can get problems after either or neither. I think the regulated pace on the treadmill probably helps though.I do remember once I was in London and I went out for a run after a long work day. I was regularly running thirty minutes at the time, but after 20 mi utes in an unfamiliar park in London I felt so bad I actually had to stop and lie down! Worst run ever. I was fine the time after back on familiar ground. So maybe it’s just something about it being new? Who knows .. but speedy recovery and stay safe.

[Raisemeup Graduate]

So sorry to hear that you have had a bad experience running outside and hope you are soon out of all the pain you're feeling.It seems you have had extensive surgery on those parts of your body that play a big part in the physical act of running. Perhaps you should have a chat with your doctor and let him know how you have reacted to outdoor running and ask his opinion about where you go from here.

Hopefully, you will recover to be able to run on a treadmill in due course, but see what the advice is.

Are your shoes helping you run outside? You may need a well fitting shoe that is capable of supporting you perhaps more than your treadmill shoes. Don't forget running snail pace to begin with outdoors is also essential, I'm similar age as you with arthritic lower back and have learnt that really is the best way to start.

I really hope you resolve this and are able to view it as a setback, leaving the option to change your mind once you have got back to your regular running on the treadmill.

Best wishes to you Over60 ☺️

[MaCherie112 Graduate]

I’m so so sorry to hear this?!!! What do you think happened, we’re you running too fast? Right running shoes for outside? Hydrated enough? I know it’s terrible when you have an injury as not only is the pain excruciating but you feel that you’ll be set back forever and all your great work undone but this isn’t necessarily the case. Please see your GP and see what they advise, definitely do rest the recommended time and until you’re no longer sore.

Try to keep in high spirits while recovering because I know that can be soul destroying but try to focus on all the progress you had made, how powerful and capable you and your body was to get you there and it is this strength that you will now use to heal. Progress towards any goal isn’t linear and unfortunately this is all a part of it but let it toughen you not defeat you! Keep us updated on what the doc says!

[Over60sRunner Graduate in reply to MaCherie112]

I think the surface outside is just too hard - which is why I chose to run on the treadmill in the first place as they have some shock absorption. Should have carried on listening to my gut - lesson learned.

I spoke with the GP today who is referring me to the neuro team and physio ASAP to assess the damage. At least I can kind of stand up straight today, thanks to Tramadol!

Already thinking about recovery plan . This old girl isn't done yet..... watch this space 👊💪🏃‍♀️

[MaCherie112 Graduate in reply to Over60sRunner]

So this is why I still have trouble running for the bus! ☺️ You poor thing I think it best you stick to treadmill from now on! I didn’t factor in the shock absorption factor at all!!! Rest and home pampering for you! 🧡🧡🧡