To think I will just never be a runner :-(

[TrueFriendsStabYouInTheFront]

Absolutely desperate for some advice please, at my wits end.

I've spent the last 6 months trying to complete couch25k. In this time I've had problem after problem.

First pains in feet - went to chiropractor, got specialist insoles and was advised on trainers etc - all good. Next, injures meniscus - rested (assumed issue caused by correction in foot position) still boggles but much better than it was. Now - horrendous pains in calves to the point where I had to stop and walk after half a mile tonight.

I just don't know where I am going wrong. I'm foam rolling, using heat patches, bio freeze, seen the chiropractor 5x, had a professional sports massage, adequately rested. What the hell can I do?!?!

I would be so grateful for any advice. Stopping is not an option as I have (rather optimistically) agreed to run the New York marathon next November for my employer (a charity). I honestly thought I'd be able to do this with all the time I have, but I'm getting nowhere!

I completed the c25k but soon after in really injured my knee 6 months later I feel better. But going to have to start again or maybe start something new . We are not all
Natural runners don't beat yourself up

"So I'm wondering whether starting from scratch and running incrementally until I'm injury free each time as pp suggested, would be the way to go"

Yes, definitely! You sad in the opening post that you were still trying to complete C25K, so I'd rather assumed that you were doing a proper incremental approach. So go back to that, do not attempt to,run quickly, and see if you can get to 5k by the end of January. At which point you might want to look intomJeffing tomtake you onwards.

I never thought I was cut out to be a runner no have had a far share of niggles. Time and keeping going no (slowly and after a rest, if in recovery) will help.

A few tips:

a) don't try to short cut C25K even if you think some weeks are too,easy because you have done them before. It's an incremental programme and it build up,your running strength. On't short cut that
b) do some other form of fitness activity too - Pilates, yoga etc. Running can leave some muscles groups tight at the expense of others(possibly leading to, or aggravating, problems. Different exercise, and yes (dynamic) stretching can make a huge difference
c) go to Parkrun, even if you're not sure you can run the whole thing.

I wonder whether the insoles are causing the problems. The original pains may well have just been down to not being used to running. Too much intervention causes its own problems.

In your shoes I'd go back to the beginning of couch to 5k with your original running shoes, no extras. Start again gently. If you can do running on trails/grass, do that as much as possible.

While you are doing that, do strength and conditioning work, especially on the posterior chain. Most injuries come from weak gluteal muscles, it has a knock-on effect down your body. Also lots and lots of gentle stretching (on WARM muscles only do when you've been for a walk, if you do static stretching on cold muscles you'll do more harm than good).

If after all that you're no further forward (maybe give yourself until Easter) see if you can do a Nordic walking course?

I gave up running because of constant joint or foot pain, fractured foot bones etc. I resigned myself to it, and instead signed up for a big swim for charity. I took some lessons for technique and then got swimming.
I it’s a great one to do, and to lose weight to run again

And alternate demoing with tough, strengthen everything.

I run a lot, 1000 miles this year- and I wouldn't sign up to a marathon. It is an intensive, gruelling effort, that can affect you physically for life. You don't have to do it simply because you've signed up, and certainly not at the expense of your health.

I agree about strength training- mine has lapsed slightly recently as I've changed my working hours which means I can't attend one class and my Saturday class is less strength and more running over the winter season - and I've really noticed the difference. My hamstring hurts, my calves too.

I do think in my experience that there's a 'sweet spot' where the benefits of training hard outweigh the negatives, but it's so easy to tip that over the other way, where the impact of hard training has more negative effects than positive. For me that's an average of about 5km a day. When I've pushed that training for specific races, I've then suffered injury, or found that I am so ravenously hungry that any weightloss benefits are undone.

I don't know the best way to stretch, a recent thread I posted on here basically 10% of commenters said they actually did any stretching at all. my massage lady says stretch before a run but never after, and to foam roll as a separate activity on rest days rather than immediately after running. I love those Adrienne videos and this thread has reminded me of that, her runners yoga is really good.

There's some great advice on this thread, will read it through properly with a coffee this morning!

Hi OP. I used to be in a running club but stopped for various reasons. Now from time to time I get back into it at lunchtimes, but I'm older and less fit and heavier, and it's harder.

What works for me is run/walk. When I'm getting back into it I'll walk fast to the point where I'm going to start the run (maybe 5 minutes) to warm up, and when I start I'll run for 20 paces/walk for 20 paces/repeat. Each week I'll adjust it a bit, so it becomes run 30 paces/walk 20, then run 40/walk 20 etc. That way I build it up gradually, and the walking prevents the build up of lactic acid that causes so much pain and stiffness afterwards. Eventually I'll get to a point where I'm running 80% or more of the time, and could actually run the whole thing if I really wanted to. Finish with another walk just to ease your legs/cool down/get rid of more lactic acid etc.

On the marathon thing, don't feel you have to do it. Just see how things go

Have you started from scratch? It's too much too soon. Many people have to repeat many weeks.

How old are you?

I've got a sprinter's body so jogging/running does not come naturally to me. Believe me, I've tried. Now I briskly walk - get out of breath & a bit sweaty - and can overtake slow joggers at times.
If it hurts, don't do it. Accept your body's limitations - you'll only damage it if you push it.

I ought to do more excercise - but never fancy running.

Sticking with walking, but upping your speed would probably be less challenging physically, but still give you good excercise.

hope you feel better soon - and well done on giving it a try!

Is running for you OP?

I can't stand running, big breasted- all that jiggling, I dislike cold, and my throat hurts gulping all that cold air. Swimming gives me the shivers- all the chlorine, wet hair, goosebumps. I only swim abroad if the temperature is above 30 degrees.

I exercise 4 times a week, for me that is yoga. weights, circuits.
You need to find an exercise you enjoy and fits with your physical limitations and desired goals.

Your body is taking some time to adjust and that’s ok. You have a lot of time till the marathon.

I’d say just stick with running no more than 5k until you can do it injury free for two months. Don’t increase until then. Also when you do start to increase, make sure you are cross training on non-run days.

Stretch those calves!!!! I find hanging my heels off a step the only way to get a proper post run calf stretch.

I was the same until I changed my running shoes. They were expensive but completely changed how my feet fell, how my arches were cushioned, everything. Some shops have specialist diagnostic equipment- the equipment measures/analyses how you are running and will tailor the best possible structured running shoe for your feet and body.

When doing C25K make sure you do each week and session properly, even if you miss one one week and need to roll them over.

The people I know whive ended up finding they "can't" run almost always started to do too much too quickly (eg. Put their trainers on for a quick run and run for 10 mins instead of doing 30 minute mainly walking with some slow jogging)

I'd also not go above 5km until you can do that comfortably for a couple of months.

Joining a supportive running club can help form. I used to be part of one that was very training and race focused with a bigger push on faster runners which wasnt for me, but found another where they want to promote health and form for all so have different groups from the people who are amazing to the people just starting. It was a brilliant support network and I met other people who ran slower than me, but were doing much bigger distances.

It would also be good to schedule in some 10k and 1/2 marathons throughout your plan so you can tick the milestones off.

Good luck.

I'm a rubbish runner, but still go out!

I have horrible arthritis in both feet, they mostly hurt at night, but also whilst I'm running if the ground is uneven. But i just reckon, well, it's arthritis, it's not going to get better and I'd rather be fit with bad feet than have bad feet and be unfit and overweight!

I run slowly (with my dog, who likes to stop and sniff things), but I can run fast if I have to (10k in just under an hour). I think the trick is to find the stride that suits you, where you feel you could run all day, and then stop while you are still comfortably running.

But this cold weather is playing havoc with my breathing, and I'm currently gasping my way to six miles.

So just keep going but listen to your body (within reason, see me and my feet...)

I wouldn't agree that marathons "affect you physically for life"! I have a huge number of friends who are members of the 100 marathon club (ie they've run more than 100 marathons each, often 2 in a weekend and lots have done many hundred) all are fine, fit human beings!

Also, stretching before but not afterwards!?! Sounds like awful advice! Muscles are like blue tac - try to stretch them when they're cold and they will quickly snap. Stretch when they're warm and they will be much more pliable and will stretch without damage. There is LOTS of evidence to show static stretching before a run is a really bad idea.