Alternative to Running

pigeonhugger

Hello everyone

I have been following the couch to 5k programme and am only on the second week. I am a barefoot runner- I used be a very experienced barefoot marathon runner but have only recently picked it up again. All was well in the first week and beginning of this week- no injuries or pain. I had a day off on tues and went for a night out and wore small heels and everything has gone awful since then. The next day my feet were so stiff so I just done lots of yoga and stretching. Yesterday I ran and it was okay, but still felt really stiff and today is just painful so I stopped after 4mins. It hurts on the top and sides of my foot- my metatarsals. Any tips to relieve this pain/ masage/ stretches.
Additional information: I am also currently experiencing edema in my ankles and calfs which is not helping with the foot pain. I believe this is due to the current heat wave, also water retention due to menstration.

My body is telling me to rest so I guess I should but I want to exercise today. Ideas? Also I am trying to build lean muscle in my legs so no cycling or anything else like that. I am lookign for endurance type exercises nothing that will cause a pump in leg muscles.

CarsonRuns

Doing a bit of cycling won't give you tree trunks for legs. It's a good alternative, as is swimming.