I quit smoking a week ago for the second time, I am on the patch. everything is going good. How long should I?

Question

Really wait to start running again? Last year when after I quit I was running 3-4 times per week. I did a lot of 5k races that summer. Yesterday I ran almost 2 miles in 11 mins and 2 secs. Now I am feeling a slight pain in my lower right side. its been about 24 hrs and I still feel it. Any advice ? thanks

Answer 1

run through it.

Answer 2

You are just feeling pain because your body is not used to running. It is natural that your body is sore, the muscle have not been in use for awhile. you should not stop running though. Just slowly build up a base, you do not need to go for long hard runs, just go for easy 30 min jogs. This will help your muscles get back into shape with minimal soreness. The smoking has nothing to do with your body being sore, that would just affect your lungs. Just keep on working up your millage until you feel that you can run 5or6 miles without stopping and a good pace. Then you can start to run hard again. 11 mins for 2 miles that is 5:30 mile pace so that is way to fast for somebody who has not run in almost a year. Again just slowly work your way back into running. And if you want to ease the pain stretch very well before and after your run. Good luck!