I did my 4.5K run for W8R2 today. It went alright but I had to stop and walk a couple times due to pain in my quads. They were literally burning as if I were climbing stairs the whole way or doing squats so that you "feel the burn". I'm not sure why. I've done heaps of stretching since the run and I stopped to stretch during and before but it is like the muscles are tensed up and won't relax fully any more. It is pretty painful... the closest thing I can think of is that it is similar to the "pumped up" feeling you get with mild shin splints.

I've done more walking than other weeks and since I'm running for distance I think I've upped my running time quite a bit lately. hmmmm Maybe I will have to pull it back a bit. I don't want to give up the walking to work. I think next week I will switch to a 30 min run twice a week and then go the 5K distance on my "long run" weekend. I was planning to do this initially but got caught up in enjoying going the distance. Maybe I just bit off too much too fast. I need to learn to be gentle with myself in this running life.

The other thing I noticed was that even with the walking, I covered my distance in about 35 minutes. That means I'm running a good little pace (for me anyway). I think part of the problem is that as slow as I run, any slower is really a walk but this pace I used for 4.5K is similar to my 3K pace and properly is should be a bit slower. I'll need to be careful with that until I get to the point that I can run a bit faster on short runs. hmmmm

Who knew this whole running thing would give me so much to think about. I kind of like that there is a strategy involved. I want to learn this whole pacing thing. This is great! There are definitely lots of things I'm learning that I will be able to keep motivated with once the C25K progam is done with.

I completed my pseduo-W7D1 yesterday with (3) 8ish minute runs (I ran for the length of two songs, so it varied from 7-8.5 minutes). I think I may be coming down with something, I am feeling more tired than I ought to be and I'm kind of achy in my joints. The run last night felt like I really pushed myself, then I look at it and think, I'm still doing intervals, why is this feeling so hard? I'm feeling more muscle fatigue than I have in the past, which seems odd. My knees were sore last night after that run too, but some ice and aleve calmed them down. I'm pretty discouraged that I was feeling really good about my progress running and now I feel like I'm starting over again for some reason. May be the heat, even though the 90 degree heat wave has passed, it was at least 80 in the gym last night. I think the heat affects me more than I realize, I quickly burn out my energy and feel like I have to work a lot harder to complete the run. The next week is supposed to be cooler, I'm hoping my runs will go better then. I'm not planning to run a 5K until August or September, so I have plenty of time to get up to the distance and pace that I want, I'm just frustrated that I feel like I was zipping along and now I'm slogging along. Any one else feeling a little burned out these days?

JennerVT, I've been sore and tired in my legs. I think it is a combo of running for longer than I probably should at this stage (up to 40 min) and doing a lot of steep hill walking. Legs are just toast. I had to get up out of bed and get some ibuprofen and I'm just now waiting for it to kick in because my legs feel like somone had been beating them with a hammer. From the symptoms you are describing I am wondering about potential dehydration or maybe PMS. I feel exactly like you describe without fail right before my TOM. I apologize if that is TMI and I really apologize if you are male LOL If it is a pms thing... I usually just do my best to work through it and drink lots of water and take extra calcium and it will pass. Otherwise if you are feeling a bit burnt out, why not back up even more and reallly slow it down and then head back up the weeks slowly. Or take a few days off and see if you are refreshed by that. Are you eating enough?

Freshairlover, I do think that there was someone running two days in a row a while back. Olivesmarch, was it you? I seem to remember that for that person it worked for a while but they did get to a point where they got really tired and progress got harder until they backed off a bit. I think at this stage the rest days between every run is pretty important. I read recently that runners only improve during the rests between runs, not on the run days. I'm sure many disagree but if you buy that then the rest days are just as much a significant portion of your training as the actual runs so make sure you have enough high quality rest.

Thanks for the tip about the bananas. I have been eating them but also I've been craving them so maybe I'll try giving in to the craving a bit more for the next few days. Your saying that reminded me that magnesium is thought to be an issue for cramps too eh and it is true that if I even point my toes today I'm getting a super charlie horse in my whole leg.I'm drinking lots but sweating heaps when I run so we could be on to something. I noticed after my last run there were salt marks on my running tights when they dried! So I'll give it a go.

Re your pup. I am SO sorry to hear that. Our boy has had a lot of troubles with his health over the last year and I totally can relate to how hard it is to watch them when they are pacing and panting like that. My heart goes out you you and your pupper. You are in my thoughts for sure. I hope the vet can give some help and good news.

Thanks guys! I took him back in today and they said his panting was due to the pain he was in. They gave him 4 shots. Pain med's, anti-inflammatory meads, antibiotics, and anti nausea. This should get him through the next 24 hours. I'll definately try the baby food.

Can't wait to see your time without the warm up walk.

Everyone is doing great! I'm jealous since I can't go out and run now. Who would have thought I'd get that attached to running! I went to the doctor today and I have bursitis and tendonitis. The doctor said don't run if it hurts, and it hurts even to walk, so I won't be running anytime real soon. Hopefully in a couple of weeks. She gave me some exercises to do to strengthen my thighs. Hopefully that works.