Difficulty going slower...: I am on Week 6 and... - Couch to 5K

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Difficulty going slower...

NigelS profile image
6 Replies

I am on Week 6 and still finding every run really tough. My issue is that whilst the voice coach gives the excellent advice to "slow down if you're finding it too hard", if I slow any more I will be back to walking. So is it that I haven't approached this fast enough from the start? The main issue with me is that lower leg pain, especially shins, which stops very quickly if I stop running.

My shoes are a Salomon trail shoe which I originally bought to do the very muddy Tunbridge Wells Parkrun, but now using on a flat hard running track. I don't know if it's these that contribute to my leg pain.

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NigelS
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6 Replies
damienair profile image
damienairGraduate

Yeah I’d say your running shoes are not helping. When I was on the C25K plan I had bought a really good pair of pretty expensive road running runners from New Balance. However I was experiencing a weird sensation in my feet like pins and needles and running was uncomfortable. I was advised here to go to an independent running shop for a gait analysis. Turns out I was over pronating and as a result I invested in a pair of Brooks runners. Best money I ever spent. That sorted out the issues. Go to an independent running shop and have a gait analysis done. It’s really worth it.

Damien

NigelS profile image
NigelS in reply todamienair

Thank you Damien, that's really very helfpul. I shall search online where I can find such a specialist shop in east Sussex or west kent.

Best regards, Nigel

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2Graduate

Hi, I’d imagine that there is not enough padding on your shoes. If you are in trail shoes then running on grass/mud will be much better but even so as starting runners, I think non trail padded shoes would be a good idea. Also making sure your foot falls under you and not in front but my instinct says shoes!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Well... I managed to tailwalk junior parkrun running the whole two kilometres behind a 4 year old who didn’t want to even walk... slowest run I’ll ever have but good fun! So, it’s possible to run slower than walking speed.

No, you haven’t not gone fast enough... probably the opposite.

Lower leg pain can be helped by reduced pace, shorter stride, less foot lift etc... have a look at this video if you haven’t seen it before m.youtube.com/results?searc...

Also... if you bought trail shoes, they’re almost certainly neutral shoes and you almost certainly don’t run neutral... gait analysis will guid you to good road shoes for you. Trail shoes wear out quick on roads too.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Can you speak clear ungasping sentences as you run? If not you are going too fast.

You can always go slower. Many jog slower than they can walk.

Have you read the guide to the plan? healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

NigelS profile image
NigelS in reply toIannodaTruffe

Thank you, that’s helpful. I had always thought that running is always faster than walking, so need to revisit this. Also, I’ll take a look at the plan. Many thanks. Best wishes, Nigel

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