Running into trouble?

You may have concerns early on, but with the right information and you can stay on the road

‘ I’M SORE. SHOULD I SKIP MY NEXT RUN?’

A little muscle soreness in the early days of any new exercise regime is normal, though you may want to juggle your days to take an extra rest day before your next session if you’re really tender. However, if you have a more specific, sharp pain, take a couple of days off and apply ice to the affected area to ease inflammation. If it doesn’t go away after 72 hours, consider seeing your doctor or a physiotherapist to make sure it’s nothing serious.

‘ I’M WORRIED ABOUT HOW BREATHLESS I GET’

The demands of running mean your muscles need more oxygen, which drives you to breathe harder. So, don’t worry unduly, but there are a couple of things to consider: are you starting out too quickly, without sufficient warm-up time? Are you trying to run too quickly? Both can make you feel breathless. However, if the breathlessness leaves you wheezing or is accompanied by chest pain, see your GP to rule out any serious issues.

‘ I’M STRUGGLING TO PROGRESS TO THE NEXT WEEK OF THE TRAINING PLAN’

Don’t worry – everyone progresses at different rates. The plan is a guideline and the key is that you progress at your own pace. It’s fine to repeat a week or take more rest between each workout. Stay focused on the long-term goal: you’ll get there.