Fells vs Road advice needed

[FatEve]

Hey everyone. I'm new to the programme and running. I'm on W3D2 currently but I'm finding that running on the road is so hard. I have some decent running shoes (hoka) and I seem to be doing okay but I struggle more than if I'm going uphill.

I have hiked very regularly in Scotland and the lakes for the last 7 years or so and a mountain biker for the last 18 months. I'm not in anyway fit I still huff and puff up the hills but is it possible my legs are just more used to that terrain than the flat roads of Norfolk? How can I find it easier to run on the road without my thighs and calfs killing me? Even at the gym I run best on a 5 or 6 incline as it doesn't hurt my legs as much. Why is this?

Hoping someone can help. Thankyou. 😊😀

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Hello and welcome to the forum and the program!Well done on your progress so far .

The first thing I would strongly suggest would be to make a drink, sit down and read the program guide .

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

It's packed with information and tips to help you through the program .

I would look at a couple of things here .

What's your hydration like ?

Are you drinking at least 2.5 litres a day even on non running days ?

This can have a huge impact on how your legs are feeling .

Also,, are you stretching after your runs and holding the stretches long enough ( this is all covered in the guide)

And although you may have a decent make running shoe , are they the right ones for you ?

Are they road running shoes that were recommended for you following a gait analysis at a dedicated running shop ?

Are you having a non running day between runs , IE not running on consecutive days (Again, all covered in the guide)

Are you pushing too hard ?

Or are you running at a conversational pace ?

So many possibilities here that you really need to be able to eliminate 1 by 1

But any one of these could certainly have a bearing on how you feel.

Enjoy the journey

[FatEve in reply to Instructor57]

Hey thankyou for your reply. I will take a look at the link you provided for me. I guess the only stand out question that was a no or a kinda was about the stretching. I do a 'bit' maybe I'm just not doing enough. I will look into this further I think. Thankyou 😀

[Me_time Graduate]

Welcome to this forum! Instructor57 has covered everything in his reply. I am a very new runner and the only thing I would add based on my own experiences of runnning on the road is.. Once you have checked everything Instructor57 has written regarding hydration, gait analysis, before & after stretching, shoes etc, just give yourself some time for your legs to get used to running on the road. I think it is higher impact than running on a treadmill.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Great advice from Instructor57 !

If it's any help, I have always found uphill running easier than flat paved surfaces....I am still consistently pacier going up.

But...the advice given is correct, and even if like me, you do enjoy the inclines, you still should be able to run on flatter and different surfaces without discomfort.

Have a good read of that linked information!

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi FatEve , I live in France's Massif Central and have never run on flat roads. However, I'd be more inclined (see what I did there?!) to look at hydration and stretching than to put your difficulties down to the terrain.

Your shoes might be playing a part too - trail shoes are less likely to work well on roads, and vice-versa.

[FatEve in reply to Cmoi]

I think the stretching does play a part, I agree I'll be sure to do alot more of it pre and post run. With notch up my hydration too.

I went for the clifton 8s for my road shoes in the end. I'm happy with them, but then again as a new runner I don't have much to compare them too. I use different shoes for trail and approach. These are purely for the road so I'm hoping I did go with the right pair. I was advised well before i bought them so fingers crossed 🤞 I guess one shoe doesn't fit all though, so to speak. So time will tell.

[nowster Graduate]

One thing you might want to check is whether you're over-striding, which might cause some problems like you describe.

youtube.com/watch?v=kQ5wQ5N...(Not working as expected?)