Successfully completed day 2 of C25K but I feel like my legs are going to fall off now

unknown

I workout all the time however I just am not much of a runner but I would love to be able to run. I decided to download that couch to 5k app on my phone or as people call it the C25K. I knew when I started yesterday that it isn't going to be easy but if I work hard at it I can adjust and become a good runner at some point. Problem is it's only day 2 of following the program and I already feel like my legs are about to fall off. They hurt like crazy I can barely walk and my mucsles have tensed up and gotten real tight but I have not pulled anything. Also I stretch before every workout and I make sure bring my water bottle.

What was your experience like when you started the C25K program? Or for those who never used it but do active running what was your experience like when you started running? Did you ever feel like you were just going to collapse or fall down at first? How long did it take you to adjust to the running where you didn't feel like you were going to collapse and is there something you do so that your muscles don't get tight?

unknown

You are not the only one who feels that way! I never ran before -- the most I could run was probably 30 seconds and I would feel exhausted. The first week for me was really tough because it's a jolt. You go from barely running (or in my case, never running) to suddenly having to do 1 minute-2 minute intervals and I can tell you I felt like I wanted to pass out.

For me, the breathing and my heart rate were the toughest parts. I did feel like I wanted to collapse sometimes. My legs did hurt the first two weeks, but never too bad. So it could be normal soreness from your activity change. If at any time it feels like really bad pain like a sprain or shooting pain, it could be because you're starting this new routine or it could be your sneakers/the type of floor you're running on/etc. Also check your running form -- often the way you land on your foot can affect the impact on your legs.

I started the program in mid-February, stuck through it to the end, and just completed my first 5k on april 19th. Jogged the whole thing, and in a little under 40 minutes. Was I the best? Absolutely not. Out of 139 people, I was #116 to finish. BUT I DID IT. And you definitely can too. Your body will definitely adjust, but I can't say it ever really gets easy at all. That's because the program demands more from you each week so you're constantly pushing your limits. So many times I wanted to quit but I forced myself to do it and I feel better for it now that I actually finished. So keep up the good work! The mental is harder to battle than the physical - your body knows what it can handle and trust me it can probably handle more than you think.

Best of luck!