Quick question

[Maddymoo]

I've just finished week one, and while I'm really enjoying it I find that during the walk intervals my calves go rock hard and feel like they could burst. Is that normal? They feel fine when I'm actually jogging?!

[Digbycat]

Are you stretching well before you go out - it sounds like they are not quite warmed up?

[starknut]

Sometimes you just need to stop and stretch! Tight calves are definitely a problem I still face sometimes - especially if I am stopping and starting like you do in intervals - and the best thing to do if it is really bothering you is stop and stretch. And definitely stretch well after you're done! My favorite move is to stand on a step and hang my heels off, sort of balancing on the balls of my feet, and let everything get good and stretched out. It feels wonderful, and gets everything feeling nice and limber again.

[Maddymoo]

It is probably the stretching, I'll stop halfway and stretch some more next time and see if it helps. A big part of me just thinks I'm too heavy to run, as I'm only 5' 2" and 7.5st overweight :-/

[Toadie]

Maddymoo - I'm sure you're not too heavy to run! Your body wants to move around, and it has so much potential, so as long as you take it steady and make sure you stretch out and rest enough, your legs will get used to the work before too long. Someone told me, and I think it's really true, that if we haven't exercised for a while (or ever) we have absolutely no way of knowing how strong we are, and we really tend to underestimate our strength. I think a big part of learning to run is learning to have faith in your muscles they can do it - it's what they're there for! Good luck, I hope you feel better next time!

[Maddymoo]

I'm doing W2 R1 this evening so il see how I go on!