I'm new here - Day 1 - and looking for a virtual running partner.

[jiggly]

Newbie here. I used to run socially when younger (10 years ago size 10), but middle aged now and GP referred for weight loss surgery (not something I want but I understand the health benefits). I was given about 11 weeks before my first dietician appointment. 8 weeks in and I've lost 12lb but that's been up/down and no exercise. Could do with a virtual running partner to start running and big push before seeing dietician in 3 weeks. I also want to dance all night at the Christmas party. Could you advise ?

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate10]

There's a good community on the c25k (couch to 5k) forum. A whole load of people at various stages of their running journey. Many just starting out, some part way through and many "graduates" (people who have completed the c25k programme and can run 30 mins non-stop). Pop in there and you'll be bound to find a running partner. Good luck with the weight loss!

[jiggly in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

would you mind providing a link to the c25k (couch to 5k) forum ?, Im not good at navigating.

[davelinks Graduate10 in reply to jiggly]

I see you found the c25k forum, so your on your way, some great advice given on there, don't be frightened to ask questions, no matter how silly they may sound..😊

[davelinks Graduate10]

Do the c25k programme..😊

[IannodaTruffe Graduate10]

As the others say the NHS C25k forum is probably the best place for you at present. That forum can provide you with loads of advice and inspiration to get the running habit ingrained in your life. I would also suggest that trying to find a running buddy, either virtual or real, is not necessarily a good thing, at this stage. If you run with someone else then, unless you both happen to have exactly the same pace, one of you is having to slow down or one speed up. Neither situation is going to create the optimum results. You will find plenty of others on the forum who are at a similar stage, but we all start from different health and fitness positions, so comparison can be counter productive.

Head over to the C25k forum and restart your running life. Good luck.

[RunaroundSue Graduate10]

I agree with all the comments about Couch to 5K. It really helped me and it was great that my virtual running partner and I finished week 9 about half an hour apart, especially as we didn't always run on the same days during the programme.