5 replies to this topic

[jassyjass]

Hi everyone,

Iam training for my first half marathon, 5weeks into the training for the City to Surf.
Yesterday I was doing one of my long runs (16K) and was wearing my 2xu compression Tights.
The first 4k going at 5:30min Klms my legs started to feel like heavy sandbag, I was starting to feel a bit sore but kept going, after 5km my legs were fine and I have never ran better and never felt more confortable.

Just want some advise why my legs felt that way as this was the first time it has ever happen
I mentioned the tights as I have worn them several times for my long run and wasnt sure if this effected anthing.

Thanks Jass

Edited by jassyjass, 15 June 2009 - 11:13 AM.

[RodN]

jassyjass, on Jun 15 2009, 11:05 AM, said:

Hi everyone,

Iam training for my first half marathon, 5weeks into the training for the City to Surf.
Yesterday I was doing one of my long runs (16K) and was wearing my 2xu compression Tights.
The first 4k going at 5:30min Klms my legs started to feel like heavy sandbag, I was starting to feel a bit sore but kept going, after 5km my legs were fine and I have never ran better and never felt more confortable.

Just want some advise why my legs felt that way as this was the first time it has ever happen
I mentioned the tights as I have worn them several times for my long run and wasnt sure if this effected anthing.

Thanks Jass

We were talking about this on a run around the Tan on the weekend. Some very experienced runners put it down to "good days and bad, just keep running". I have had the same experiences on occassion although I've only been running for about a year. Sometimes the old energy system just takes a bit to flush out the cobwebs!

[maryclaire]

I agree with the good days/bad days theory - sometimes it all comes together, and other times it doesn't. It's not worth over analysing - just stay true to the training program and keep all variables within your control finely-tuned so you minimise the chance of having a "bad day" on race day!

It helps to keep a diary so you can see patterns in your good and bad days - eg sleep/nutrition/weather. You may even have had a big running week with speedwork or hills, and these have a cumulative effect, leaving you "hungover" on an easy run. Sometimes I think I am handling the load well, and then BANG - a supposedly "easy" run is a struggle. I have to tell myself it's no big deal; in fact, if I can come away from a sluggish session having learned something about myself (even if it's that I'm a stubborn b*tch who doesn't give up), then it has been a good run.

Another thing with tired legs is that some programs deliberately create a level of exhaustion, so that you can learn to run when tired. (I dont' know what sort of program you are following). Alternatively, you may be due for a recovery week where mileage drops. In other words, there are many reasons why your legs may be tired and assuming you are otherwise well and not overtraining, it's probably a good thing to continue to run when tired.

Of course, you did say that you picked up after 5km - which is a good sign! Good luck.

[julia]

I agree with the others.
I explain it to my coach as it feeling like I'm wearing tissue boxes on my feet - heaps fun when I was 6 to slide around all over the place, but feels impossible to lift my legs.

For me, it usually happens after a week of doing lots of speed work, or if I've shaved a lot off my pace. And looking at my logs...I bounce back faster when I just stop if I'm doing a session and I get this feeling. If I try to force myself, I start becoming mentally exhausted too as I force myself to do something that physically feels bad, and it takes me longer because I become unmotivated.

So a session like that would result in me taking the day off, or cross training for a session or 2, at which stage I'm craving to go for a run.

And I don't think the tights would have anything to do with it. My legs do this regardless of what I'm wearing.

Don't be disheartened! Hope you feel better in your next session!

[jassyjass]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for your feedback.

Now I can go back to training and not worry.

I never realise training for a half marathon is so great and the new things you learn with your body during it aswell

Thanks
Jass

[Chelli]

I find my legs are sluggish and heavy after a lot of miles or a long lay off coming back from injury. Usually it's a sure starting sign of overtraining/overreaching and my miles become progressively slower before injury results.

Usually when it's after a long lay off I find that I need to blow the cobwebs out and feel like I am starting over like a beginner. But within 2-3 sessions into running again I find that I have got the snap and the lightness back into the legs and I feel that I can run further and faster with less effort this could be as much as 45 seconds per kilometre. I guess the cardiac energy pathways start to come back very quickly and it is like I haven't stopped training. I have notice my resting heart rate has dropped significantly within a week or two. It has dropped from 55-60 back down to the high 30's to low 40's and my running economy has improved significantlty as I can hold a heart rate whilst doing a tempo run of 155-160bpm without it increasing to higher levels. This allows me to keep the same pace/ rhythmn going without slowing down to a jog or cease running after a minimum benefit time of 20 minutes .

In all due fact I find tempo running up to an hour the most beneficial as you know where you are at with your fitness and I find these runs are the most rewarding metally as with speed work. Which can help you with the extra pace or improvement in running times. I find long jaunts are best for marathoners not looking forIspeed improvement. I also recommend that when you are sore or you running stagnates a few days off training doesn't hurt as I know that injuries hurt the most when you are trying to improve you running

Edited by Chelli, 15 June 2009 - 04:39 PM.