YAWT: First day workout blues :(

[polm]

Yesterday I ran for a half our on some pretty rugged trails near my house. This is the first time I have worked out in years.

I ran pretty hard, but I tried not to overdo it.

I am feeling pretty sore today in my upper thighs. Walking is kinda rough.

If I am still feeling sore should I put off my plans to run tomorow, or should I just push through the pain ?

 

[imported_Mike]

push through the pain. Dont give in, keep at it.

 

[4Lclovergirl]

Push through the pain, it's the only way it'll get better. Teh reason it hurts is to build new muscle, you tear the old muscles. They need to build up to make yuou storng. If you keep taking off, then they won't build up, and you won't increase strength. Then again, at first make sure to kimit it to smaller amounts and only 3-4 days a week.

 

[polm]

Originally posted by: 4Lclovergirl
Push through the pain, it's the only way it'll get better. Teh reason it hurts is to build new muscle, you tear the old muscles. They need to build up to make yuou storng. If you keep taking off, then they won't build up, and you won't increase strength. Then again, at first make sure to kimit it to smaller amounts and only 3-4 days a week.

yeah...my plan for the first couple weeks is strictly 30-minute jog/run. I am just taking it easy....but I guess there is still some pain to be expected.

 

[4Lclovergirl]

yeah, if you give up on tomorrow, and are still sore the next day, you'll put it off agian and again. You have to stick to what you set for yourself, or you set yourself up to fail

 

[polm]

so basically my body will work through the soreness without needing a full break from working out ?

 

[Angrymarshmello]

2nd day is always worse than the 1st day. With running always make sure you fully stretch your quads, hams, and calves. Both before and after. If your legs aren't $hit tomorrow you can go ahead and run

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: polm
Yesterday I ran for a half our on some pretty rugged trails near my house. This is the first time I have worked out in years.

I ran pretty hard, but I tried not to overdo it.

I am feeling pretty sore today in my upper thighs. Walking is kinda rough.

If I am still feeling sore should I put off my plans to run tomorow, or should I just push through the pain ?

Being in pain usually means you started too agressively. Are you stretching and doing warming up exercises? Take it slower and do not hurt yourself.

 

[Wingznut]

I know how you feel...

I went to the (golf) driving range yesterday... First time in 3 years.

Who knew I had muscles on my sides!?! (ouch)

 

[jjyiz28]

uhh, i think u guys have it wrong. when your muscles are sore after a workout, your muscles are repairing itself by patching up the tears and making it stronger bigger next time. when you are working out a sore muscle, u are doing more harm than good. u gotta let it heal. that doesn't mean don't work out at all. your legs are sore, but im guessing your upper body is not? then do some upper body lifts, all except anything to do with your legs.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: jjyiz28
uhh, i think u guys have it wrong. when your muscles are sore after a workout, your muscles are repairing itself by patching up the tears and making it stronger bigger next time. when you are working out a sore muscle, u are doing more harm than good. u gotta let it heal. that doesn't mean don't work out at all. your legs are sore, but im guessing your upper body is not? then do some upper body lifts, all except anything to do with your legs.

He isn't trying to do cardio and weights - he's just getting back into running.

 

[polm]

So...these responces have left me a little confused.

Today I am still just as sore in my upper thigh/leg area as I was yesterday. Walking is pretty painful. I have a feeling, though, that if I set out running today I would probably focus out the pain and make it though my workout.

So should I run today , or give my legs some more healing time ?

Maybe I will go for a swim ?

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello

Originally posted by: jjyiz28
uhh, i think u guys have it wrong. when your muscles are sore after a workout, your muscles are repairing itself by patching up the tears and making it stronger bigger next time. when you are working out a sore muscle, u are doing more harm than good. u gotta let it heal. that doesn't mean don't work out at all. your legs are sore, but im guessing your upper body is not? then do some upper body lifts, all except anything to do with your legs.

He isn't trying to do cardio and weights - he's just getting back into running.

What's the difference? running is a form of cardio. And no matter what type of exercise, aerobic or anaerobic, they damage and repair of muscles should be handled the same. I would agree with jjyiz28, to work on something else. And a strong upper body will definitely help in running.

 

[Red Dawn]

Maybe I will go for a swim ?

Bingo. In fact maybe you should alternate between the two until your legs become accustomed to running each day and then incorporate both activities into your daily workout routine.

 

[polm]

Great...swimming it is

Actually, swimming is the only sport I ever did competitively (sp?), so I am pretty comfortable putting together a light workout in the water.

 

[m2kewl]

Originally posted by: Wingznut
I know how you feel... I went to the (golf) driving range yesterday... First time in 3 years. Who knew I had muscles on my sides!?! (ouch)

that reminds me, need to scope out a new driver and some irons!!

 

[polm]

How long should the 'soreness' from my first run last ?

 

[fonzinator]

If you are just getting back into shape, why not run every other day for a few weeks? That will give your muscles the rest the need to repair. Aching muscles + not in shape + running too much = quitting after the first week. Take it easy starting out.

 

[Pixelated]

it'll probably last a few days depending on how out of shape you are and how hard you ran. Remember to stretch. A lot of people run but they never take the time to stretch before and after their run. Probably one of the most crucial parts to your running workout.

Keep it up and it'll get easier. Once it gets easier, run farther and faster.

 

[polm]

OK...so I definitely stretched well before I ran...but not after. I will be sure to do that next time.

But still...should I avoid running all-together until the soreness has left my upper legs ?

This is day 2 of soreness and I really wanted to run at least 3 times this week. So far I have only had 1 run.

I plan on swimming today...but I really need to run tomorow. I have a feeling my legs will still be sore then.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: polm
OK...so I definitely stretched well before I ran...but not after. I will be sure to do that next time.

But still...should I avoid running all-together until the soreness has left my upper legs ?

This is day 2 of soreness and I really wanted to run at least 3 times this week. So far I have only had 1 run.

I plan on swimming today...but I really need to run tomorow. I have a feeling my legs will still be sore then.

If you feel comfortable then go ahead. Often times those who haven't been exercising tend to over do it at first and end up with nagging injuries that hamper their attempts to get into shape in the long run (Pun not intended) If it takes you a week or so to get use to the regimine of exercising or running what's the harm? If you haven't been exercising at all before now you might need to get into shape to get into shape. A good brisk walk is still exercise and will work your lower leg muscles while giving your upper legs muscles time to recuperate. Use some light hand weights while walking to burn those extra calories that you would normally burn when running.

 

[Kemosabe1447]

Just keep running, the first week to two weeks is the hardest obviously, but once ou get past them you will realize it was worth it.

 

[blackdogdeek]

Originally posted by: polm
But still...should I avoid running all-together until the soreness has left my upper legs ?

This is day 2 of soreness and I really wanted to run at least 3 times this week. So far I have only had 1 run.

imo it is ok to run even if still sore. in the beginning you should only try every other day instead of consecutive days. the soreness means your muscles are unaccustomed to that kind of stress. they will grow and adapt though.

back in cross country, we would go away to camp to get back into shape. so keeping in mind that we hadn't run all summer, here was the schedule:

10am run ~5 miles
4pm workout distance/endurance runs with intervals
10pm run ~5 miles

needless to say we were sore the first day but we kept running for all of the 7 days of camp with that schedule.

if you experience pain other than soreness like sharp muscle pains or knee pains then you should definitely take some time off from running.

 

[nitsuj3580]

I have been back into running as well and to start out I'm alternating between running one day for 30-40 then the next day I just hop on the exercise bike for 40 min or so. After 10 min or so on the bike, I loosen up and dont really feel any pain.

also as mentioned, don't skimp on the stretching! before AND after your workout.

 

[aphex]

push through it bro!