Well hello

[Sqkr]

I've been watching here creepily for a while, but found myself scouring the internet the other day after I got a free High5 gel thing and not knowing what to do with it (do I rub it on my temples? Use it as a stress toy? Eat it?) and ended up wading through loads of forums which neither answered my gel query nor made me feel very good about myself as a new runner. So I decided perhaps it's time to dive into a community that can help me answer these sort of questions without making me feel small. I'm also lurking in the marathon and race support group, but feel a bit of a fraud as it'll be a while before I'm running a marathon.

I started running in September last year (though took most of December off after bronchitis set in) and immediately did it all wrong by getting fed up of the walk/run C25k app, packing it in and just running like a child till I got tired or bored. But I am trying to play by the rules a bit now as I build up to a half, and hope that being here might help me rein it in a bit and avoid injury!

I'm also on Strava, but please don't judge me as I've absolutely no idea what I'm doing :/

strava.com/athletes/24199004

I'm looking forward to learning more from everyone here, but this time in plain sight

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10]

Welcome to the forum, I'm hoping to do a half marathon this summer as well.

[Sqkr in reply to ChrisAllen1]

Thanks Chris I've not got anything booked till September, though I have accidentally ended up with two halves in the one month (didn't expect to get a ballot entry for the GNR!)

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10 in reply to Sqkr]

I'm looking at doing the Hexham half marathon in July.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Hello, and it’s so great you have posted... well done on your running journey so far. I have just followed you on Strava 😎 in all honesty I don’t think any of us really know what we are doing but we just keep on trying. You are in good company 😺

[Sqkr in reply to ju-ju-]

Oo thank you! I only have a couple of Strava friends as I was previously private, but I've decided it's unlikely anyone will stalk me via that particular medium

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Well done you..nice to have you here with us...As ju-ju- says.. most of us just run..never quite sure where we will fetch up

I started out , just to do C25K.. never going to run any further... 10K later.. and who knows... never say never?

I have just followed you too, on Strava

[misswobble Graduate10]

Hello I don’t think any of us have any ambition beyond gettting end of the first session when we start C25k 😃

Amazing where we can end up though

Have fun 👍😃

[Duddles]

Just followed you on Strava as well - there are a couple of Strava Couch5k running clubs on there under 'Explore' - 'Clubs' where several of this forum seem to run.

[Sandyscroll Graduate10]

Hi! Welcome!! I'm also a lurker on the race/marathon page. I've no plans to do a marathon, or HM, and am still amazed I reached 5k. I'm slow and just like to get out there and enjoy...just as soon as my left leg allows me to pootle again instead of limp. Keep us posted on how your training goes. We learn lots from each other here, so you're in good company.😀

[linda9389 Graduate10]

Make you feel small? judge you? Never. I haven't read a single post or reply on this forum where anyone has been made to fell small. The only judging I have ever seen - and then it was only ever the gentlest hint at judgement - is when someone has tried to do too much or too soon or too fast. It is the loveliest place to learn, to be supported and above all to achieve things that seemed impossible. Enjoy every minute of it!

[DebJogsOn]

Welcome!

Think we all started out by stalking in the background here for a bit and seems to me that however experienced or not folk are on here we're all pretty supportive.

I'm sure I've asked some pretty daft questions in my time - But never been made to feel small or judged.

Really wish there was a plan called 'couch to running until you're tired or bored' 😂

Good luck with the prep for a half marathon!