Charlotte Alice Rose
New Member
I feel like I am so lost right now. Maybe it's just girl hormones playing mind games?
However, I am looking for advice. Please be kind as I am new to running etc. Here's a brief background.
So I started running gradually (as I was a keen cyclist but not an experienced runner) but in April 2017 time. I started off with intervals and then did a couple of 5k park runs on intervals as well! Funnily enough, I met my partner there and I still think to this day it was fate!
Anyway, I then took up canicross with my dog in May (trail running with a dog attached to you out in front running with special harnesses and stuff) I was and still am hooked on it! So building a picture that I am starting to run more and harder off road. I had two twisted ankles on the left foot, all within 3 months of eachother through canicross and immediately sough physio advice. I have been trying to strengthen them as much as I can since with balance and wobble board exercises.
The main issues which have been recurrent since starting running are extremely tight calves and hamstrings
At the same time, I was also doing a bit of weights and stuff (PB on deadlift of 90kg!) however, I feel a past back injury was triggered which then lead to a few complications. I gave up weightlifting around October time, only been doing it around 6 months. But I was under physio orders to stop for a while.
This back issue also interfered with my running and cycling too! It only really became apparent, when I did my first duathlon that my back was really sore as I transitioned from Running to Cycling. As it was my first event, I wanted to just go and see, I ran in terrible Skechers and my old hybrid - but still - REALLY enjoyed it!!
After that I decided I wanted to do more duathlons. SO....I got a lovely road bike and some new running trainers with orthotics (as I over pronate) so I was much more prepared for the 2nd one, which went better, but I still had niggles. All during this time, I was making time to stretch and do yoga - albeit I never did it as regularly as I should have, but I did as much as I could with the spare time I had.
So After my last Canicross event in November, I was pleased as I would have all over winter and into the new year (as my first canicross isn't until 25th March and Duathlon is 1st May) to really focus on my intervals, rehab and really sort my body's niggles put before my event's this year.
The main essence of this story, is that my calves and hamstrings have been a constant issue, despite me trying to get it fixed. It makes me so upset - I just feel like I am not designed for this sh*t. I want to run, I want to do well. My times have been getting better - it seems to all come together then I go back two steps!!











For the last 3 weeks really, my training has been interrupted by snow, illness and my partner moving away for work in the Navy so It's been a tough few weeks. So I have eased a little into it, but I ran on Monday 5k with my dog for my canicross lesson and my legs are still feeling so tight now - despite doing lots of stretches and stuff. I am worried I may have pulled something slightly?
I woke up this morning and they are still a little tight, I used rollers, balls and my roller stick and it alleviated it slightly. I did do a run followed by a cycle yesterday and after the bike ride it seemed to be actually better.
I am not sure whether to keep stretching gently, or whether that will make it worse. I scour youtube and the internet for ideas and fixes for it. I am really tempted to just go back to my amazing physio and ask for his advice. I do not want to stop running - mainly for my dog as he loves it.
Like I said, I have tried to structure this thread as best I can so you guys can get a sense of my frustration. I am loving being more fit and healthy, I would never have thought this time a year ago that I would be competing in duathlons and canicross. I am never at the top, always at the bottom, but as long as I am enjoying it and hopefully improving each time, then I don't want to stop.
Any CONSTRUCTIVE advice is welcome. Thank you so much for sticking with this thread till the end
However, I am looking for advice. Please be kind as I am new to running etc. Here's a brief background.
So I started running gradually (as I was a keen cyclist but not an experienced runner) but in April 2017 time. I started off with intervals and then did a couple of 5k park runs on intervals as well! Funnily enough, I met my partner there and I still think to this day it was fate!
Anyway, I then took up canicross with my dog in May (trail running with a dog attached to you out in front running with special harnesses and stuff) I was and still am hooked on it! So building a picture that I am starting to run more and harder off road. I had two twisted ankles on the left foot, all within 3 months of eachother through canicross and immediately sough physio advice. I have been trying to strengthen them as much as I can since with balance and wobble board exercises.
The main issues which have been recurrent since starting running are extremely tight calves and hamstrings
At the same time, I was also doing a bit of weights and stuff (PB on deadlift of 90kg!) however, I feel a past back injury was triggered which then lead to a few complications. I gave up weightlifting around October time, only been doing it around 6 months. But I was under physio orders to stop for a while.
This back issue also interfered with my running and cycling too! It only really became apparent, when I did my first duathlon that my back was really sore as I transitioned from Running to Cycling. As it was my first event, I wanted to just go and see, I ran in terrible Skechers and my old hybrid - but still - REALLY enjoyed it!!
After that I decided I wanted to do more duathlons. SO....I got a lovely road bike and some new running trainers with orthotics (as I over pronate) so I was much more prepared for the 2nd one, which went better, but I still had niggles. All during this time, I was making time to stretch and do yoga - albeit I never did it as regularly as I should have, but I did as much as I could with the spare time I had.
So After my last Canicross event in November, I was pleased as I would have all over winter and into the new year (as my first canicross isn't until 25th March and Duathlon is 1st May) to really focus on my intervals, rehab and really sort my body's niggles put before my event's this year.
The main essence of this story, is that my calves and hamstrings have been a constant issue, despite me trying to get it fixed. It makes me so upset - I just feel like I am not designed for this sh*t. I want to run, I want to do well. My times have been getting better - it seems to all come together then I go back two steps!!












For the last 3 weeks really, my training has been interrupted by snow, illness and my partner moving away for work in the Navy so It's been a tough few weeks. So I have eased a little into it, but I ran on Monday 5k with my dog for my canicross lesson and my legs are still feeling so tight now - despite doing lots of stretches and stuff. I am worried I may have pulled something slightly?
I woke up this morning and they are still a little tight, I used rollers, balls and my roller stick and it alleviated it slightly. I did do a run followed by a cycle yesterday and after the bike ride it seemed to be actually better.
I am not sure whether to keep stretching gently, or whether that will make it worse. I scour youtube and the internet for ideas and fixes for it. I am really tempted to just go back to my amazing physio and ask for his advice. I do not want to stop running - mainly for my dog as he loves it.
Like I said, I have tried to structure this thread as best I can so you guys can get a sense of my frustration. I am loving being more fit and healthy, I would never have thought this time a year ago that I would be competing in duathlons and canicross. I am never at the top, always at the bottom, but as long as I am enjoying it and hopefully improving each time, then I don't want to stop.
Any CONSTRUCTIVE advice is welcome. Thank you so much for sticking with this thread till the end
