Finding Week 8 hard

[unrose]

Hi All

I have been doing the couch to 5k since Sep/October I think I had about 2 weeks off on holiday and then started on Wk 5 The end of weekend 5 was a shock to my system. I haven't been the same since then in a good way though I have a design to run and I have an equal desire to hide from running.

Weeks 6-8 have been such a huge body/mental mission! Going out in the cold and dark doesn't help.

My knees got a bit sore and I added on a tighter compression brace and that fixed it.

Now inside my hip is sore. I am sleeping on the floor and that seems to soothe it. I guess it is sore from just pounding on the concrete. I don't go fast and I have new Nike renew running shoes.

I took out my gel cushions maybe I should put them back

I am activating muscles I didn't know I had.

I am not in pain but I feel sore. Running is taking a lot out of me but I enjoy it. I don't want to stop but I would like so advice on how to take care of my body better

Any words of advice dear runners?

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Sore is fine - that is to be expected sometimes.

Pain is NOT fine. Some can be tolerated, but there's a level which shouldn't and that is unique to all of us.

Make sure you are going really slow - a pace at which you can breath AND chat easily. If you get at all breathless, you're going too fast.

[unrose in reply to John_W]

Thanks John_W I am going very slow. Checking my past brisk walks on Strava, I can walk faster than this. I think my weight makes a difference. I am over 200lbs

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to unrose]

Unfortunately, your weight will be a big difference. Any weight you can lose will only have positive benefits, and not just for the running. But you knew this

[HeavyFoot Graduate in reply to unrose]

Take it easy, unrose. I’ve been running for 3 years now and I’m 240 pounds. I’m slow but can do it after gradually building up leg strength and wearing suitable absorbent shoes (Hokas and Brooks).

[unrose in reply to HeavyFoot]

Thanks HeavyFoot I am thinking on putting back my gel absorbent cushions in my shoes. Also I may increase my rest days from 1 to 2 to allow proper muscle rest and healing.

[Jackapoodle Graduate in reply to unrose]

I find taking two rest days suits me really well. My body just really appreciates that extra day to repair and rest. It made a huge difference to me, especially when it came to the longer runs 😊