Stiffness in muscles and tendons

[Funbugfan]

Dear fellow couch to 5k’ers,

I’ve got a bit of a weird question, but I’m really interested to know if anyone else experiences this. I’ve been running now for close to 12 months having followed the couch to 5k plan. I usually, give or take, do 3 runs per week, some 5k in distance others a bit shorter and some longer (8k max). But what I have found, particularly lately, is that I tend to suffer from very stiff leg muscles, particularly my adductors and hamstrings following running, usually for a few days. Today I ran 3k and my hamstring felt like it was complaining to me the whole time. What I have found is that if I don’t spend 20 mins or thereabouts stretching each day it tends to be worse. Foam rolling really doesn’t do anything for me. I’ve gone back to swimming a few times a week and found this helps a bit. Does this happen for anyone else, and do people have specific stretch routines that helps? I really feel as though a desk job sitting all day really doesn’t help much either.

[CBDB Graduate]

Do you do any Strength and Flexibility workouts regularly? I have found that a quick daily yoga session does the trick for most of my flexibility needs. Obviously I also stretch after workouts, but the yoga gives a real all round mobility and flexibility body check.

Have a look at our Strength and Flexibility forum over at healthunlocked.com/strength... run by the same admin teams as our running forum. We have a group that does the monthly calendar of short yoga sessions which might be perfect for this: healthunlocked.com/strength...

We will have a daily Pilates challenge next month, which might also be of interest.

We are all so different, but you might just find something in our S&F forum which will fit your needs.

[Funbugfan Graduate in reply to CBDB]

Thank you for the info CBDB I will check it out. I do 2 strength sessions a week but I don’t work on my flexibility so it’s worth a try. I’ve often said I have the flexibility of an ironing board 😄

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

@CBDB has given you some great links...It is so good to have a daily routine and it can be kept as short as time allows...just try to make it regular.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Lots of links here too in this weeks Catch Up Corner post.

If you are at a desk all day it may be tricky; are there stairs to walk up and down, can you get up and move around at intervals...there are also on YouTube, loads of ideas for short exercises in the work place...literally a 10 minute stretch...

Like this..

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

All this however short is going to keep that body supple. Let us know how you go on !

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

How old are your running shoes? Once they wear out they stop supporting your feet the right way. It's worth going to a proper running shop and getting a gait analysis and treat yourself to something that really fits well.Shoes may be expensive but physiotherapy is too, and I know where I'd rather spend my money 😁