Is it normal to feel this bad! - couch to 5k related

[Tanfastic]

Just a quick background so not to drip feed, I'm 42, not massively overweight but could do with losing a few pounds like most people! Not done any form of proper regular exercise for over twenty years . No health concerns I know of. Have a sedentary job as well. So I would say I'm pretty unfit really.

Decided to challenge myself and do the Couch to 5k. Been and kitted myself out yesterday with some proper trainers, running leggings etc and completed day 1 week 1. Was harder than I expected but I did it. Half way through I could feel the joints at the top of my legs hurting a bit but I carried on. Last night and this morning I'm really hurting and can't imagine having recovered enough tomorrow to do it all again.

So what I want to know is....is this normal (it's mainly the top of my leg joints, sorry not sure what bone that is!) and the tops of my legs. Did anyone else experience this and does it get better?

[icklekid]

Did you stretch before and after?

[Tanfastic]

No,was I supposed to .

I just followed the instructions on the app which started with a warm up walk....

[IndomitabIe]

Hip flexors? Yeah, I felt pretty bad after the first few! Then I learned to stretch out, as ickle says.

Have a Google, there will be some instructions on which stretches to do to minimise the ache next time.

It does get better though! Keep going!

[KittyandTeal]

Yep stretch before and after each run.

If you're sore running will actually make you feel better (well it does for me anyway, loosens all the muscles up)

After a while you won't need to stretch as much. I used to do 5 mins before and after each run, now I barely stretch at all but use my foam roller sometimes.

Keep going, it's the best thing I ever did. I now run 5k 3 times a week and my life has really improved!

[Pringlesandwine]

First two weeks are hell then suddenly something clicks and it all seems easier. And enjoyable! One of the best things I've ever done to improve my fitness and my mental state.

[FinallyHere]

The stretching is really important, but different people can need very different amounts of stretching. Its difficult to know where you hold tension in your body, until you challenge it to do something different. That discomfort you are feeling is priceless information, feedback from your body, so listen to it carefully.

Finding the stretch that releases each part is essential, it also feels really good when you stretch, or maybe i should say, after you stretch. Its definitely not asking you to stop moving, but it might be asking you to move in a different way. Enjoy.

[DesertOrDessert]

There are some indications stretching cold muscles are any a good idea, but definitely look at stretching after your run and cool down walk.

I'm about to do C25 k again. Was running regularly, then moed into ,40C heat, and the years mill wasn't doing it for me. Cooler now,so going to start again, and see how hot i can stand running first thing.

[Tanfastic]

Ooh thanks everyone, stretches it is then! I kind of went into it quickly before I could change my mind so I didn't read up on it as much as I should have.

I'm determined to do it though!

[Tanfastic]

So it's normal then! Was worried I had something wrong with my leg joints or something

[thedevilinmyshoes]

if you stretch before you run make sure you are warmed up and do dynamic stretches rather than the 'hold this stretch for 40 seconds' type stretch

www.runnersworld.com/ask-coach-jenny/a-runners-guide-to-warming-up