really heavy legs when I start running - would love some advice

[cornishgirl54]

I haven't been for a run since May, when I had a fall that really dented my confidence. I've persuaded myself to start again and I've been three times in the last week but my legs - and particularly my feet - feel like lead when I start to run. After about 5 minutes it gets a bit easier but I wonder what can be causing it. Any advice would be really appreciated as I'm very discouraged by how hard it seems.

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate]

Congratulations on starting again, cornishgirl54 !

I remember heavy legs when I started last year. I now wear prescription compression stockings for the lower leg and foot - all day, including while running. And it made a huge difference! I was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, so I don't know if you might have something similar going on... Especially if you have varicose veins, it might be worth talking with your doctor about.

[cornishgirl54 Graduate in reply to ChannelRunner2]

That's a thought, thank you, I'll do some investigating. It does feel as if the blood in my legs has dropped into my feet!

[Keima_]

Possibly dehydrated ?

[cornishgirl54 Graduate in reply to Keima_]

Thank you - I had wondered if that might be possibility - I'll try to be better at hydrating before I run and thank you for the tip.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

If they ease after a while could be Toxic 10.....your body getting used to what your brain is asking it to do.

[cornishgirl54 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

That's a good thought - it's a bit odd that I've never had it before but maybe it's because I'm going back to it having not run for 4 months - and because I'm that bit older. I'm coming up to 69 and I guess my body just takes longer to do things. Not an idea I like!

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to cornishgirl54]

I'm coming up to 68 and the first few minutes if a run feel quite hard and I wonder why I bother then my body relaxes into a slow steady pace

[cornishgirl54 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

That sounds pretty much like me. I'll see how it goes over the next few runs. I think it might also be to do with lack of water so I'll improve that for the next run and see if that helps.

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to cornishgirl54]

Extra fluids are always a good idea 😄

[445600 Graduate]

I suffered exactly the same ! With me it was trying to hard and fluids. I made a conscious effort to slow down a bit until my legs weren’t heavy. Making sure I’d had enough fluids was the key for me . 🏃‍♀️😃

[cornishgirl54 Graduate in reply to 445600]

I think this could be the answer, thank you for the tip. I'll definitely work on the hydration when I go out tomorrow. I really hope it improves, I've had a long enough break since my fall, I need to get back to running now.

[Hidden in reply to cornishgirl54]

The trick with hydration, is to drink plenty of water all the time, not just before a run. Good luck!

[cornishgirl54 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You're right. I forget and then rush to drink water 20 minutes before I go out which I know isn't the right thing to do!

[Penwithpink Graduate]

I concur with toxic 10 ! the same happened to me first 10 mins was so hard and can still be but now I know i can get thru it - like a lot about this running lark it can be a mental thing rather than physical but it does get easier I promise you xx

[cornishgirl54 Graduate in reply to Penwithpink]

Thank you - the encouragement from everyone is really helpful.

[Penwithpink Graduate in reply to cornishgirl54]

U r so welcome we’re all here for each other x It’s a lovely place to be - if all the internet was the same we wouldn’t have the problems we do !

[Gthants]

Absolutely brilliant that you are out there and running again. Good to push through that barrier too - plus there's some great advice here. It still might be good to have a word with your GP; I'm sure there's a really simple explanation, but expert advice never goes amiss. I'm "only" 61, but after so much ill health I have consulted the surgery when necessary; it's never a waste of their time and I was told how good it was to see someone taking their health seriously by both running and checking things were ok.

All the best!

[cornishgirl54 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

Thank you for your kind reply. I will see if I can get an appointment with my gp to ask him about this, I guess it's worth ruling anything out that might be more complicated than just good hydration and persistence.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate]

Getting checked out for peace of mind is good, but what you are describing sounds pretty normal to this 71 year old!

I am just building up again after an 5 week absence through illness/injury and my legs felt like lead when I started. Only on my last outing, an 8k when I increased pace (run 18, so week 6 of my comeback) did I get that light footed feeling which allows you to increase pace without extra effort. Coach Bennett said it, so it must be true! Building up may just take a bit longer than you thought….but that’s ok. I would think 🐌 for the first few weeks.

[cornishgirl54 Graduate in reply to Beachcomber66]

I think you're right - I went out on Thursday and it was much better so I'm hoping that it's just a question of getting back to it again. Fingers crossed but I'm reasonably encouraged anyway.