New to C2K5 - Intro/Help

dxtra30

I've never EVER been a runner in my life however losing weight AND also being in a running event in June made me decide to motivate me to do some running.. I downloaded the C2K5 app on my Iphone and just completed Week 2.. The 90 seconds was a step up and seemed long however I got use to it.. I think Week 3 even pushes the jogging/running at a further time.

Also what can I do to prevent shin and calf pains? I know stretching is most likely the answer but I didn't know if there was anything else I can do.. They seem to hurt more when I run then walk.. The pain goes away after I'm done so I definitely think it's running related.. Any tips or ideas would be great!!

Also please feel free to add me as a friend if you'd like.. Thanks!

rduhlir

You pain in your calf and shins can be caused by multiple reasons:

1. You do not have the right shoes. I am guessing you decided to pick up your normal every day shoes and go running. Am I right? That is bad, bad, bad. You should go to a running store and get fitted for shoes. You don't have to buy them there, but they will fit you for proper shoes based on how your foot falls, your stride, where you run, etc...
2. Your calf muscles are weaklings. Don't worry, everyone starts out like that unless you have the worlds strongest calf muscles. Massaging, ice/heat packs, etc... They will all help. An excellent post work-out/run thing to do is take a pool noodle and roll it up and down the back of your calf muscle.
3. Proper stretching. I say proper because while doing a few stretches here and there is great, dedicating a whole 10-15 minutes to stretching before AND after is important!
4. Proper fuel. Believe it or not, this can cause issues by causing early fatigue.

Anyway, welcome to the group!

dxtra30

You pain in your calf and shins can be caused by multiple reasons:

1. You do not have the right shoes. I am guessing you decided to pick up your normal every day shoes and go running. Am I right? That is bad, bad, bad. You should go to a running store and get fitted for shoes. You don't have to buy them there, but they will fit you for proper shoes based on how your foot falls, your stride, where you run, etc...
2. Your calf muscles are weaklings. Don't worry, everyone starts out like that unless you have the worlds strongest calf muscles. Massaging, ice/heat packs, etc... They will all help. An excellent post work-out/run thing to do is take a pool noodle and roll it up and down the back of your calf muscle.
3. Proper stretching. I say proper because while doing a few stretches here and there is great, dedicating a whole 10-15 minutes to stretching before AND after is important!
4. Proper fuel. Believe it or not, this can cause issues by causing early fatigue.

Anyway, welcome to the group!

Ah man this is great!!.. Thanks so much for the advice.. This will help out a lot..

likitisplit

I'd agree that your shoes are most likely the culprit. If you don't have access to a run store, the basics are to make sure that you have the width of a thumb between your longest toe and the front of the shoe (about a half size up from your normal size) and that you have sufficient width to be able to spread your toes inside the shoe.

And - awesome job! The biggest step is the first one and, for a lot of people, the hardest day is the first. You're already well past that.