What's wrong with me?!

kwitherspoon19
kwitherspoon19 Posts: 68 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Okay, so I have been dieting and exercising for a couple of months now and have just decided to start the Couch to 5k workout. I'm on Week 2 right now, and on my off days I either do the elliptical or walk. For the past couple of days though on my off days I get this desire to run on the treadmill instead of just walking. Like, I can walk for like 5 min and then I get the urge and I just start running for as long as I can until I slow down and catch my breath. Because of this my calf muscles are literally BURNING all the time and it is super uncomfortable! I tried to just do the cross trainer on my off days but it's so boring and I end up getting on the treadmill. I guess I was just wondering if there was any advice anyone could give me to stop running on my off days or take care of my aching muscles? I know this is alot and I apologize, I tend to get pretty loquacious this time of night :)

Replies

  • metalgearpanda
    metalgearpanda Posts: 43 Member
    Hi!

    Well done on taking up the program!

    In regards to running, the best advice I was given was don't run back to back. In other words, if you are doing C25K one day and running with it, don't run the next day, it gives your legs the chance to rest. Rest is always a good thing when you are taking up running. I over-trained last year in running and have ended up with a knee injury which I'll be left with forever so I cant state enough when running not to over train! :)

    The burning will go away, I know it's uncomfortable but it will ease with time. I get it a lot when I do 5+ miles now that I'm training for a half, I'm always sore and stiff. I've heard a foam roller is quite good to get the aching calf muscles easing

    :) Gx
  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    Try a different activity, yoga, pilates, dance. Are you doing strength training? That's okay on non running days. You have to be patient with running, eventually you can do consecutive days but you have to build up to it. I run 4 or 5 days a week now after 2 years, but I started out at every other day.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    You do need to rest your legs - do something completely different in between. Don't go on the treadmill. Cycle. Swim. Rest. Don't overwork your legs - that's how you end up with injuries, with running.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    If your body wants to run, I say run. Stretch your calves well before and after and be sure to drink plenty of water. You might also try playing around with the incline a little to see if different positions stress your calves less. A calf massage after the run while the muscle is still warm might also help.
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    If your body wants to run, I say run. Stretch your calves well before and after and be sure to drink plenty of water. You might also try playing around with the incline a little to see if different positions stress your calves less. A calf massage after the run while the muscle is still warm might also help.

    Sorry but that's just bad advice. Resting between runs is key to injury prevention in early running.
  • JenniBaby85
    JenniBaby85 Posts: 855 Member
    Try a different activity, yoga, pilates, dance. Are you doing strength training? That's okay on non running days. You have to be patient with running, eventually you can do consecutive days but you have to build up to it. I run 4 or 5 days a week now after 2 years, but I started out at every other day.

    I'm with this, completely. It's easy to get burnt out on a specific program if that's all that you do as well. Mix it up and have some fun with your workouts :drinker:
  • jeanmoreno
    jeanmoreno Posts: 139 Member
    have you got a good pair of running shoes? finishing C25k,had calves pain at every run,went get myself a very good pair of running shoes,ones with gel padding,and since then,no more pain! ;-) best investment ever !!!!
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    I did the same exact thing when I started C25K a couple years ago and I ended up with a stress fracture in my foot and couldn't run for a couple months :( Don't push it, it's really not worth it.

    I totally understand the urge though, and like other people said, I recommend doing a different activity on your off-days. Lifting is actually a lot of fun and will improve your running!
  • leaftopia
    leaftopia Posts: 4
    I've always been told that rest days are just as important as run days.
  • jeanmoreno
    jeanmoreno Posts: 139 Member
    Very true!
    I've always been told that rest days are just as important as run days.
  • Garthamatic
    Garthamatic Posts: 84 Member
    I'm almost in the same point in my C25K journey. People have recommended frequently to take your time and don't over-do it. Rest days are there to help your body recover and you need to ease into the stress and demands you're putting on your joints, muscles, tendons, and bones. I have to consciously fight the urge to run more/faster, since my intellect seems to think I'm 20 years younger than I actually am.

    Stick with the program, eat healthy, drink lots of water, and use the rest days to rest your system. Light exercise/yoga is good for off days, but doing too much too soon is a recipe for injury.

    My goal is to be running for years to come, so there's no rush. I'm taking the run time slowly and focusing on improving my running form and posture so it becomes habit later. Just keep at it and enjoy the run days (I look forward to them).

    Good luck!
  • kwitherspoon19
    kwitherspoon19 Posts: 68 Member
    Thanks everybody! You guys all gave great advice! I'll seriously consider some yoga/pilates on my rest days
  • Garthamatic
    Garthamatic Posts: 84 Member
    have you got a good pair of running shoes? finishing C25k,had calves pain at every run,went get myself a very good pair of running shoes,ones with gel padding,and since then,no more pain! ;-) best investment ever !!!!

    This. Before I started, I went to a local running store that specialized in shoe fitting. They assessed my gait and I discovered I have medium pronation. Based on this, they pulled out three different brands of running shoes and I picked the one that felt the best to run in.

    It was interesting, since I wouldn't have picked those shoes myself. Since shoes have such a huge impact on running comfort and preventing injury, I would recommend you do the same if you have access to a similar store in your area.

    It's worth $120 for a good pair of shoes that will make running that much more enjoyable.
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    Okay, so I have been dieting and exercising for a couple of months now and have just decided to start the Couch to 5k workout. I'm on Week 2 right now, and on my off days I either do the elliptical or walk. For the past couple of days though on my off days I get this desire to run on the treadmill instead of just walking. Like, I can walk for like 5 min and then I get the urge and I just start running for as long as I can until I slow down and catch my breath. Because of this my calf muscles are literally BURNING all the time and it is super uncomfortable! I tried to just do the cross trainer on my off days but it's so boring and I end up getting on the treadmill. I guess I was just wondering if there was any advice anyone could give me to stop running on my off days or take care of my aching muscles? I know this is alot and I apologize, I tend to get pretty loquacious this time of night :)

    this is exactly how i got started and this is exactly how i tore my acl. DOING WAY TOO MUCH and not resting. you are going to end up with an injury if you do not take care of your body. listen to it.

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