3rd week at week 1!

Hello everyone!

I've never been a runner but ever since I've started losing weight (23lbs and counting) I decided to give it a try.  The first week went great, my problems started with week 2.  I started getting severe foot cramps and pains in my shins and calves. 

It's depressing because I thought my problems would either be lack of endurance or my bad knee.  Today was suppose to be the first day of week 3 but I decided to bring it back to week 1 because I was in too much pain to jog 90 seconds and walk 2 minutes. 

I recently bought new running shoes hoping that would help.  No such luck.  I do have an appointment with a physiotherapist.  I'm hoping she can tell me that I'm actually doing something wrong and point me on the right path.

I have a 5k run scheduled for May 23.  I indicated my predicted time to be 40 - 45 minutes.  I simply doubled what it takes me to do 2.5k on the track with week 1.  Hopefully I can keep the pace.  I have another 5k scheduled for September.  I really want to be able to jog the entire race.

Wish me luck!

jmac2624 - don't worry about trying to jog a full 5k. I've been Gallowalking since I completed c25k (www.jeffgalloway.com) as a way to avoid injury. Its helped me a lot. The cramps and pains could be because of your shoes. Did you buy the new ones at a running store after they put you on a treadmill? It could be you need a motion control/stability shoe like I do. I can't run in normal neutral shoes without having foot pain. I also recently induced ship splints due to a combo of heavy leg workout and new shoes. Had to take it easy for a couple of weeks.

go easy and you'll avoid injury. I've over done it twice since starting running the end of July 08. Had to learn the hard way to listen to my body and ratchet down the miles.

Our focus needs to be on healthy lifestyle and keeping moving without injury. That is how we really win this race.

I bought them at the Running Room.  They didn't put me on a treadmill but they evaluated the way I walk and put me in a stability shoe. 

A few people told me I need to develop the muscles.  I'm really hoping it's that simple.  Gallowalking seems like an interesting method.  How long does it take you to run a 5k while Gallowalking?

I wasn't Gallowalking when I ran my last timed 5k, but I finished a 10k the end of Feb in 76 minutes (my gps had me at 6.75 mi because I ran the outside of the pack). I should be able to get under 35 min for my next 5k is what I am thinking. Close to an 11min mi.

I had to add a Dr Shoals tri fit orthodic to my stability shoes to prevent the foot painl They aren't to expensive at Walmart and might be worth a try. It could also be your muscles have to get used to them. It took me a couple of wearings when I first got Mizuno Wave Alchemy's until the aches stopped. I just retired them after 280 mi. Had a lot of wear on the right rear heel. Must be using that leg more.