Gutted

[Hillgrande]

I’ve been enjoying c25k so much and have been so positive and enthusiastic, pushed through the knee pain and reached week 7, not easy but made it. Caught a heavy head cold and my left knee has swollen, went back to week 6 to take the pressure off but I’m truly struggling, motivation has disappeared, knee pain is getting worse, any advise on how to get motivated again ???

[Sax64 Graduate]

Firstly, congratulations for getting so far, you should really feel proud of yourself. However, you should never run in pain. This is because you will make any injury you have much, much worse and it will take longer to heal. On a scale of 1-10 where 1 is very mild discomfort and 10 is the worst pain imaginable about a 3 is the most you should run with. As your knee is swollen, you need to rest up. RICE: rest, ice, compression elevation. You may need expert advice (GP / physio), we aren't medics here. You can also sign up to the strength and flex forum here on HU and look for knee exercises which may help with your recovery. You really do need to let your body recover, the running will still be there for you when you're fit and able again. Many of us, me included, have had their C25K journey interrupted by injury, and as devastating as this may be, we really do need to take good care of our whole selves too. I'm sure many others will reply with advice too. Get well soon and please be patient.

[Hillgrande in reply to Sax64]

many thanks for your reply, I am now resting the knee, had an X-ray yesterday and doing cold/hot compression, strange thing is, when I was actually doing a run the pain disappeared it was after the run ! Listened to the podcast on knee pain, recommended on this forum and it was on this I heard that this can happen, wish I had heard it earlier in my runs I may have slowed/rested it sooner. Thank you so much again for your reply, happy running everyone 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[Irishgirlrunning23]

Aww no, sorry to hear that. I've been set back too by illness this year. My advice would be to give yourself the time and space to feel fully better when you go back to it. Sending you get well wishes! Motivation wise I find the promise of feeling better in myself as I get fitter helps. I also listen to music on every run which is brilliant. And having treats after runs like a long bath or watching my favourite tv programme is good. Ultimately having a carrot on a stick helps!! Best of luck

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Rest and recover and no running until it is healed... The runs will wait for you and they will be all the sweeter.

Pop across to the S and F Forum too and check out some exercises there... it will be time well spent whilst on the IC x

[Hillgrande in reply to Oldfloss]

Many thanks 🙏

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

Sorry you're in pain. You've done exactly the right thing getting an x-ray, your doctor can check there's nothing concerning going on and take it from there.In the meantime the weather outside is chilly so stay warm, take it easy, do the strength exercises and once you recover you'll be so full of enthusiasm it'll be like you've never taken a pause 😁

[happysouls Graduate]

I am sorry you’re suffering and can’t continue right now. But everything you do now to tackle your pain will mean you’re stronger when it’s time to try again. I thought of my running journey as a time where all the weak bits of my body were showing up so I could tackle them. So I try to think of the bigger picture of the benefits to my body not just the running. Physio and strength training has helped. I hope you can stay positive and think of it in that way.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Injuries are miserable but sadly common. You’re doing the right thing resting, and seeking real life advice from a suitably qualified person is always what we’d recommend here.

It’s hard not to lose heart but it’s helpful to remember that injuries don’t have to end your run journey-you might need some extra support with exercises and stretches but loads of us have been where you are. Long term, it can actually make you stronger and a better runner. That was my experience anyway!

Really hope you’re recovered soon ❤️

[Hillgrande in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you, you are so right in what you say, really appreciate your reply 👍