Painful legs after week 3 run 2: Yesterday I... - Couch to 5K

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Painful legs after week 3 run 2

Lisalulu80 profile image
Lisalulu80Graduate
4 Replies

Yesterday I completed run 2 of week 3 and today my thighs are in agony! I have also been doing lots of squats along side it and today I can barely walk. Has anyone got any advice as to what I can do today to ease the pain so I can run again tomorrow? Should I just rest today or should I be exercising to work the muscles? Very new to all this so a bit clueless but I am actually really enjoying running so want to be able to continue tomorrow. Thank you

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Lisalulu80 profile image
Lisalulu80
Graduate
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4 Replies

Hi. Well done for your progress so far Lisalulu80, but I'm sorry to read you have sore legs. That is rotten 😞.

I would suggest stretching your muscles out today with some gentle exercises. There are some great suggestions for this over on the Strength and Flex forum. Yoga would be ideal. Also, make sure you stretch your legs after every run whilst your muscles are still warm. Drink plenty water on both run and rest days (2-3 litres/day is the recommended amount) as poor hydration really affects muscles.

Take an extra day's rest if you need to, the runs will wait and you will enjoy them even more with happier legs. Good luck 😊🏃‍♀️

Lisalulu80 profile image
Lisalulu80Graduate in reply to

Thank you 😊 I definitely am not drinking enough water so I’ve just set up a water reminder on my phone to make sure I am doing it. I will give yoga a try today also

in reply to Lisalulu80

That's great. You are obviously working hard on your fitness levels so I hope everything works out well for you. Balance the strengthening exercises with stretching exercises - it really helps. 😊

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

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