C25k get your encouragement here.

[StripyHorse]

As the last thread has been going so well, with graduates aplenty, here's a new thread for encouragement. Everyone is welcome!

Does anyone find their back hurts after a run ? The area that I think is my lower rib cage is really painful after running for about the last week

W2R3 done! It was a big struggle to get out there today but I made myself go & I'm so glad I did!
W3 timings looking a bit scary....

schoolcook not my back, but my shins have been hurting. Running seems to show up any areas of weakness or misalignment, I know so many people who can’t run due to their dodgy shoulder/knee/hip/back (or maybe that’s just their excuse!)

Well done @Cavagirl for getting o there.
@schoolcook is it like the floating rib area? I don't have this from running but sometimes I find that if I'm exercising with my tightest sports bra on that area ends up hurting for a few days. It's like I've squashed my mod back. But it only happens with one bra.

I'm so excited I ran for 21mjns straight tonight!! A PB!! I did w5r2 again but this time I didn't walk and just kept running. Mind you when I stopped I thought I'd fall over my legs were so wobbly. But I did it!! I kept thinking "if I can run this long I can say I've done a really PB" - and at 45!! Honesty I can't believe this fat old couch potato who has hated running all her life could ever job for that long! Hmm now to do it again

Thanks @minipie & @Jibberoo for your replies. It's sort of from my bra strap down to the bottom of my rib cage.

I always said I couldn't run because of my knees but they haven't complained at all surprisingly.

I've always suffered lower back pain and had mostly managed that with Pilates but this is something else.

Trip back to the chiropractor I think.

Well done jiberoo- it's a good feeling isn't it
schoolcook I get some stiffness in my lower thoracic spine which I've never had before so think it's probably to do with my running posture
Maltese Cross yoga posture has helped a lot when I remember to do it

Wk 2 Run 1 done. Despite realising I have a cold sore beforehand, and rattling like a bag of bones to start, I found 90s easier and more enjoyable, I actually felt good while I was doing it!

1. I love running in the dark. Less external stimulation, good to switch off at end of day
2. Jo Whiley made me laugh when she said 'keep saying to yourself I love running'
3. Found a grassy verge along the pavement to run on, will be doing this a lot!
4. Its Just The Way It Is is a great song to run to. Had closing seconds to Together In Electric Dreams, it was fab
5. Loved running in the cold

Adding in post run stretches and had an epsom bath tonight, can't do that every run but maybe after each step up

My calf muscle is very tense on one leg. I bought a massage pillow on Amazon on a whim, surprisingly good tho doubt my massage therapist would agree. Going to use a heat pack on it too. Not too sure what else to do until I can have a proper massage. Feels looser now. Going to do 20m of yoga tom, that is the plan anyway.

Happy Running.

Well done @User258544 I too found week 1 the hardest. I think more running time and less lots worked better for me so w2 was so much better than w1. And completely agree with points 1/2/5 though I need some good dance music to keep my jog up.

We have a roller at home - both the smooth foam one and the nobbly one. I find the nobbly one is really good for the calves and hamstrings but the smooth one is better on quads. I find I really suffer from DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) really badly so stretching is the only cure - I just can't seem to stretch enough to avoid it!

Might try some yoga!

I find the Yoga With Adrienne 7-minute post-run yoga very useful, if that helps. It’s on YouTube.

Ooh nobbly foam roller sounds great. Thanks for the yoga You Tube recommendation, will check that out.

@Misandrylovescompany

I find the Yoga With Adrienne 7-minute post-run yoga very useful, if that helps. It’s on YouTube.

Ooh this sounds good, thanks

I'm starting tomorrow! Used to be a regular outdoor runner, bur have been more of a gym and yoga person for a few years now! Really determined to get to the end! Plan is to go before work! Fingers crossed!

Good luck @Parques !

Supposed to be doing the 22 minute run today but I am so so sore from a weight class yesterday i'm not sure i'll manage. Is anyone else doing couch to 5k alongside other exercise? I find if I run with no strength training I injure myself so its important I do it but finding it really hard to get the 3 runs + 2 classes in not due to time but because I ache so much after each one

I could cry - was supposed to be doing the week 5 run 3 but I've had some sort of bug so had D&V since Saturday and too scared to be that far from the bathroom (TMI?)
will redo week 5 from the beginning later this week I think. Any thoughts on when I should get back out there - haven't eaten more than toast last 2 days - should I wait till I'm eating normally??

@LakeFlyPie thanks that's actually one of my favourites I just need to actually do it

Can you schedule runs/classes close together - so the same day before you stiffen up? Plus you get more "rest days" that way. I find it's easier to run on tired legs (from strength training) than it is to strength train on legs tired from running.

I'm doing a 30 day Mobility thing which is flexibility and strength combined and it's not affecting my running but doing anything impact (Joe Wicks or similar) on top of regular running doesn't suit me at all.

Would love to find something that gives the endorphin hit without the impact on my joints as I'm a bit overweight and inflexible!

Oh poor you Sultana! I’ve no idea what the official advice would be but personally I’d not venture out till my innards were back to normal ... running tends to shake things up at the best of times...

@SultanasofPing I am feeling decidely off and have gone for vegetable soup and a plain jacket potato. I might have some steamed vegetables with the jacket potato in the interest of vitamins. I also had a slice (ok a whole ciabatta, seriously I can't do this eat less on rest days, clearly going wrong here!) of bread. Bananas prob be good too. Hope you feel better soon .

@randomsabreuse the strength training is 1-1.5 hours and its intense and high impact I'm usually left like a ball of jelly at the end so not sure I'd then manage a run. Perhaps I could try running in the morning before the class

W2 Run2 done! Weather said drizzle, I said bah. Actually it was dry. Went to the nature reserve (not AS nice as it sounds) as it was still light. A couple of muddy patches but plenty of leafage afoot. Not sure what I will do next but thinking possibly a 7.30am run.

My Fitbit keeps playing silly devils with me.
It's told me that my trusted 5K route was 4.6 something the other day and 5.4 today 😳

What do you all track your route with ?

I think I need something more reliable.

And my rib cage pain is actually the muscles either side of my spine and I don't think running related happily.

Well done everyone for continued running and thanks for the yoga video @Misandrylovescompany

I was swimming before lockdown but now I've just been running most days. Last night I did a hiit class at home instead of a run and it was good to use different muscles but still do cardio. To tbh I can't wait to get back in the pool and give my legs and joints a rest!

Hit a new pb today too - finally did w5r3 officially but kept running through the cool down walk so ended up running 25min!! Still just over 3km but I'm getting closer to that 5k target. I use strava on my phone to measure my runs occasionally but I now know my distance roughly enough I don't usually turn it on. Might try to remeasure on Friday when I next run to see how far exactly it is.

3rd week of W5r1, uphill run #2 ( 😂 ) completed successfully and I ended with so much left in the tank that I did an extra 4 mins’ run at the end! Surprised myself. I think having a couple of days’ break involving some decent walking helped on general stamina. Am going to do one more w5r1 uphill and then move on to w5r2 on the flat.