Any experienced runners about?

[vivacian]

I'm 40, perimenopausal and have taken up running after a break of about 20 years. I have been weightlifting for about 10 years and dancing one evening a week for about 6.

I'm on week three of the None To Run programme and my legs feel so heavy. Not just when I'm running, but all of the time. My thighs are killing me tonight :(

Can anyone offer any insight?

Unfortunately it's just adjustment pains. Unless you feel a specific injury. Make sure your not running 'cold' or stopping suddenly. Try magnesium both topical or oral. It will get easier, doesn't help now but you just need to push through. Again unless you feel injured. Might be worth chatting with a running club, physio or remedial masseuse if you are concerned.

No, no injury, and I'm warming up and cooling down, although I could always do with more foam rolling than I actually get around to doing. That's encouraging, thank you. I have magnesium salts for the bath, although not having many baths at the mo.

Don't know the none to run, but the NHS couch to 5k is a great program. Make sure you have a non running day between runs. Also make sure you're hydrated, drink plenty of water the day before a run. Makes s huge difference to how you feel when you run.

Just adjustment to doing some exercise. Very normal and nothing to worry about. If you ignore it and stick with the programme, it will go away.

It's completely normal. Running is high impact and it will take your body a while to get used to it. Stick with what you are doing and things should improve. If your legs are sore, foam rolling could make them worse so be very careful/gentle with it.

I've just completed week 3 in four weeks and a weird thing has started to happen. I realised I was running and I wasn't thinking about it. I was just running.

I realised I was running and I wasn't thinking about it. I was just running

Isn't it great?? Soon, most of your runs will be like that. You'll be using runs to clear your mind and relax. Not races though, you'll definitely be thinking about it then

Fab feeling isn’t it I remember doing the NHS C25k app and the voice over was Micheal Johnson when I did the 20min run and he said “Your now a runner” I had teary eyes... I still don’t think of myself as a runner 3 years later and I’ve done 4 Half Marathons 😂so watch out you never know where it will lead you! (I’m in 40s too..) Enjoy the running journey.

I've done C25k - you will ache in your thighs at the beginning and some days for no reason your legs might feel like lead. It will pass.

I don't think you need to be worrying about not using foam rollers - I've only ever seen people using them at athletics meets where intense exercise needs to be pulled out the bag. It not a normal thing for joggers so not using one isn't causing your sore muscles.

Just a few thoughts; are you managing to do any off road running? its kinder than bashing away on the roads, especially when the body is having to adapt in the early stages, if you have access to do it safely it should help, its also has more of a training effect due to uneven surfaces, etc, I don't know the program you're on but does it allow you to alternate easy and hard sessions?
In my day, (v old) stretching was a big thing, but I now believe not so much, I watched elite athletics coaching sessions and they laughed when I questioned why none was done, I'm a dinosaur apparently, so if is the current thinking perhaps cut that out and replace with 5 mins gently slow jog as a warm up.

@Repetitivestraininjury unfortunately it’s all been on pavements and roads as the park is pretty flooded at the moment. I’m going to get some new trainers and see if they help.

@Yoollyball I need to foam roll because of the weight lifting I do.