End of W8. A quick question.

[WilberJohn]

Hello everyone.

I am now at the end of W8, and notwithstanding how emotional I feel about the fact that I have got this far, I desperately want to finish the job next week.

My question is this. Stiffness in the immediate aftermath of each run is getting more and more painful. This morning, I could hardly walk for 20 minutes after finishing the warm down. It's not exhaustion, it's stiffness, especially around the tops of my thighs.

I am around 17.5 stone now, 5ft 9, although was close to 20 stone when I started.

I desperately want to get there. I have a park run in mind 2 weeks tomorrow that I would be over the moon to do.

Any tips?

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Are you doing the after run Static stretches referred to in the program guide?healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

And of course keeping well hydrated?

[WilberJohn Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

I am doing the stretches before and after. Water straight after I finish the warm down walk, generally a big glass.

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to WilberJohn]

Whilst a big glass of water after is good, its is too late for that run .You should ideally be drinking around 2.5 to 3 litres a day even on non running days .

This can make a huge difference to how your muscles feel during and after a run .

This may be an interesting read for you also .

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[WilberJohn Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks for that, the point about it being too late for the run I have just finished is useful. I will measure when I drink going forwards.

Big thanks.

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to WilberJohn]

Hope it helps , enjoy the rest of the program 👍

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi WilberJohn , Instructor57 has already covered what I was going to say re hydration! For me personally not being sufficiently hydrated makes a huge difference to how I feel during and after a run.

Also, it's fantastic that you want to do a parkrun. Do bear in mind, though, that once you've completed C25 you're advised to consolidate for a few weeks by continuing to run for 30 minutes, regardless of the distance covered.

So if you're not covering already 5k with your warm-up walk, run and cool-down walk, it'd be advisable to walk any remaining distance at parkrun, rather than pushing to run it all.

Enjoy your running!