Really want to do better at jogging, need support

Autumn1206

I started jogging - well,trying to jog - a C25K program. The first thing that happened is that, due to my inexperience, I ended up with tendonitis in my ankles after about a week and a half because I had the wrong shoes. I was down for two weeks with that. Now I have the right shoes, my ankles are feeling good, but now my calves are cramping up. I take supplements, but honestly I don't remember to take them every day. My husband the Marine tells me that I need more potassium. So I sit here, with my legs crossed so that I can ice the inside muscles of my calf area, asking wth?

I went with Saucony shoes because, for all of my research, they are good for overweight, beginner runners who over-pronate, and I get plenty of sodium in my diet. If anything, I probably still get too much. I am in North Texas, so it's really hot, no matter what time of day I try to run but if it matters, I usually try to go in the evenings after 8:30 when the sun is almost done. Does that have anything to do with muscle fatigue? On the off days I do the bowflex - my own variation of the better body workout, and I still have to walk my dog a mile or so and yoga if I can fit it in.

I guess I am feeling discouraged, because I just don't feel like I have achieved any small victories with the jogging and I keep feeling like I have to reset back to week one on the c25k program. It's sort of frustrating.

any suggestions from the more experienced runners?

jmijaressf

I used to get cramps in the calves as well, not just in running, but also in swimming and fencing. Are you properly hydrating? I used to get calf cramps pretty bad when I didn't drink enough water prior to working out.

Don't be discouraged. It takes a while to building up running endurance and to get your running technique down.

LessMe2B

I just started week 2 of C25K and it's certainly getting harder, but I'm not cramping, are you drinking enough water?

davidrt

the marine might be right eat some bananas are you warming up good before you run, , walk a little ways before running all that should help

melizerd

Maybe you're not ready to run? I could NOT run when I started because of my weight (242lbs at 5'7") it was just too hard on my knees and calves. So I walked, and walked and walked. You CAN lose lots of weight walking and it's easier on the legs and knees than the running.

Now I'm almost to the one year mark and I'm in week 4 of C25k and feeling MUCH better, my knee is currently being iced but it's just an ache and not OMG PAIN hurt.

Did you have your shoes fit for you by a professional at a real running store or did you come to the conclusion this is what you needed on your own? Being fit by someone who REALLY knows what they are doing is SO important. I ran on the treadmill at the store and had my gait studied by the computer and people there before choosing a shoe.

I'm still a baby runner so others might have more long term insight but I want you to know that even if you can't run now that doesn't mean you won't be a great runner later!

yeabby

Lots of water will help with cramping. You can also try Bromelain, a natural extract from pineapple (sadly, you don't get enough from eating it). It helps muscles to prepare for and recover from exercise.

Saksgirl1

Can I just tell you how much I dislike C25K? Dont get me wrong I was totally loving it at first, but then I realized that the time limit was holding me back from what I CAN do. I started with my own version of it doing the 5 minute warm up and then running for as long as I could and then walking for as long as I needed. With no constricting time limits, I found it much easier!

And yes, potassium is good, but if you're in that much pain you need to be drinking some protein shakes before you go to bed to help with rebuilding your muscles!

Good Luck!

leslturn8

I have jogged two days in a row for 10 minutes....mind u i usually quit after 45 seconds! I pushed myself and was awesome the first jog! The second jog i pushed myself at a fast rate and pulled both groin muscles and my left hamstring! funny what pushing urself can do!
I will increase my pace and duration! if me 45 second lady can go for 10 minutes you can run for the world!

wadesha

its true your husbands right you should try eating a banana 15-30 minutes before working out and make sure your hydrated. im doing the c25k program to im starting week 2 tomorrow so scared for week 5 though lol

TS65

For the first few weeks, my calves used to get really tight. They don't do it anymore, so I'm assuming it was just that they were weak and needed to build up strength.

Hang in there!

Oh... and if you want some motivation, here's my progress report (not bragging, just trying to show you... If I can do it at 46 years old and 197 lbs, almost anyone can do it!)

http://c25k.cze.dk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1042


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Autumn1206

Hey thanks everybody. I just wanted to let you know that I have read your posts, and I definitely did not think about the hydration angle. It's true, I don't drink enough water. I don't know if I can manage a banana, but i am going to check to see if there are some other options out there. I know that broccoli and avacado are both really high in potassium also, so maybe I can work it out through nutrition or maybe there is a better vitamin supplement out there for me that supports a greater need for potassium. Thanks for your advice everyone!

lildevil968

Your husband may very well be right. Try eating a banana, and drinking tons of water before you go out jogging, and see if that helps. Also if you are not stretching your calves, you need to stretch them, and that will help with cramps also.

blobby10

Echoing the need to stretch the calves! I find that some days I can get away with not stretching until the run is over. Some days, like this morning, I needed to stretch before the first mile was done! Mind you, I was running so much better afterwards it must be the right thing to do! I hold the early run stretches for about 15 secs, each calf, each quad and each hamstring stretch. Post run its 30-40 seconds.

Do your calves cramp when you walk? Perhaps you could try bumping up your walking pace along with the running?

Another good exercise to stretch calves is standing on a bottom step and letting the heel drop down as far as you can then hold.

B x

Autumn1206

Tonight I warmed up a bit, then did a small bit of stretching, then did a nice full stretch at the end. I also increased my intake of water today, and ensured that I took all of my vitamins before I went on the program, as well as two ibuprofen. I have not gotten the solution for the potassium yet. My calves are sore, but they are not cramping. I can totally deal with sore and even work through it.

Now, I started using my HRM tonight (because I figured out how to work it) and it seems like I am reaching levels far above my target heart rate, just after jogging for one minute and a half. My max heart rate is 194 (since I am overweight and over thirty), so that sets my target at between 117 and 155. after each jog, I was at about 180, and then I started the jogs at about 140-145 after the 2 minute walk, so I think I am keeping my walks brisk enough. I don't know. Am I understanding correctly how to calculate target range?

Sorry I still have a lot of questions.