A cautionary tale of crash and burn! - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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A cautionary tale of crash and burn!

Saruma profile image
SarumaGraduate
8 Replies

Hello everyone, I've been lurking on this forum for a while, but haven't joined until now.

I started c25k in early September but crashed and burned during week 6. I ended up injuring my calf muscle and losing interest and momentum. After reading many of the posts on here I have realised that I was just far too ambitious - I was pitching myself against the distance too much rather than concentrate on just managing the time, regardless of pace.

After two weeks of rest, I have hopefully put my injury behind me and am going back to week 4 which is, on reflection, where I think I started to make mistakes.

I will do this ... I WILL!!!!!

Written by
Saruma profile image
Saruma
Graduate
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8 Replies
Slater profile image
SlaterGraduate

Good luck!!

eshaz14 profile image
eshaz14Graduate

Good luck, hope it goes well :)

smhall profile image
smhallGraduate

Welcome back, Saruma!! Many of us have fallen victim to the same "I have to be fast" fallacy that you described. You are a much smarter runner this time around!!

Keep Running!! :-)

Steve

SBG356 profile image
SBG356Graduate

Well done saruma on coming back and for sharing your experience for us to learn from! Good luck!

Sue

Crafting_girl profile image
Crafting_girl

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

Esprit profile image
EspritGraduate

The same happened to me at week 1 run 3 - I think I was going too fast too soon and injured my calf muscle as a result. After a 4 week break I started the programme again from scratch and I'm now at week 6 determined to finish. Love your attitude - good luck!

ca66ie99 profile image
ca66ie99Graduate

Good luck. I fell in to the same trap and assumed that if I completed all the runs I would be running 5K. Near the end I was too set in my ways and was desparate to run 5K in the 30mins mark. I did probably push myself too hard but (touch wood) have avoided anything more than a slight twinge in my calf muscle because I completed two runs in the week rather than the three, partly due to working shifts but I think that's the only reason I haven't ended up in the same position as you.

I'm off to run the BigFunRun tomorrow and after that am going to take things a little slower and get myself in to the gym to build up some muscle. Good luck with the rest of the plan ;-)

gdeann profile image
gdeannGraduate

WELCOME! I am so thankful I found this community at the beginning of my C25K journey. I learned I didn't need to be fast or over-exert as a runner, I just needed to follow the program to a T, at my fitness level and I would succeed. Wishing you a successful running future! :-) Gayle

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