Heavy Legs

DULLAHAN2

I started running this year albeit on a treadmill in the gym doing the couch to 5k programme. I am only 3 weeks into it, but yesterday out of sheer boredom i decided to go for a 5k run to see where how far off 30 min for 5 k i am i did it in 31 mins with stopping 3-4 times. When i started running i felt fine but as i progressed my legs felt like i was lifting lead they were that heavy.

Is this just because i am not used to runnning on the roads?

Canis Lupus

Road running is initially weird and definitely harder than treadmilling imo (your legs are propelling your forwards rather than a machine dragging your foot back). Personally when I started running I was all up for treadmilling but once you start outside it's hard to go back to the grindmill.

Try to incorporate more outside runs.

EDIT: But still well done, that's a reasonable time for 3 weeks in.

RayCun

Probably also because you skipped ahead a few weeks in your programme!
Why not stick to the c25k program, but do it outside instead of in?

DULLAHAN2

Canis Lupus wrote: »

Personally when I started running I was all up for treadmilling but once you start outside it's hard to go back to the grindmill.

Yeah i dont think i will be going back to the treadmill

RayCun wrote: »

Probably also because you skipped ahead a few weeks in your programme!
Why not stick to the c25k program, but do it outside instead of in?

I just wanted to see how far i was off the pace i went back to it today and i'll take your advice and do it outside

Thanks Guys

RubyK

I spent 2-3 years going to the gym, using the treadmill 3-4 times a week, running for 40 mins. I finally ventures outside last summer, and could barely manage a mile, before stopping. I found it very very different to running on the treadmill, and much harder - legs like lead and lungs fit to burst. I stuck at it though, and hope to never have to set foot on the dreamill again

Stick with it, and in no time you'll be a convert to outside running!

shotgunmcos

DULLAHAN2 wrote: »

I started running this year albeit on a treadmill in the gym doing the couch to 5k programme. I am only 3 weeks into it, but yesterday out of sheer boredom i decided to go for a 5k run to see where how far off 30 min for 5 k i am i did it in 31 mins with stopping 3-4 times. When i started running i felt fine but as i progressed my legs felt like i was lifting lead they were that heavy.

Is this just because i am not used to runnning on the roads?

Your legs just were not used to it. They need to adapt to new intensities. I did a session early last week that seemed easy on the outside but once deep into it my legs really felt it and the 'deadness' lasted me a week because I didn't back off enough!!

As one of the others said you got carried away and jumped ahead on your programme. No matter what level of fitness you are your legs won't react too kindly to that

It like training for a marathon and you are up to 11 miles on your long run... you can't just all of a sudden do a 20miler and expect your legs to just feel fine about it!

If you have a programme... follow it! Its the blueprint to delivering your goal and if it progresses as it should that same 5k run will feel easier in a couple of months

kennyb3

also why stop 3-4 times? surely you should easy off the intensity a little run consistently for the full 5k and you d prob break 30mins anyway.

you dont see athlethes sprint 200m, walk 10m, sprint 200m etc. for good reaon.

Id imagine the heavy legs is due to running above your VO2 max and thus significant lactate building up in your muscles

DULLAHAN2

kennyb3 wrote: »

also why stop 3-4 times? surely you should easy off the intensity a little run consistently for the full 5k and you d prob break 30mins anyway.

you dont see athlethes sprint 200m, walk 10m, sprint 200m etc. for good reaon.

Id imagine the heavy legs is due to running above your VO2 max and thus significant lactate building up in your muscles

There alot of dogs around didnt want to run past them