A newbie...

[Vickster007]

Hello, just found this forum through the C25K. I completed this in April and carried on but I'm struggling to run past 30mins still. Occasionally I have the energy/motivation to get to 40/45mins but it can feel a struggle. I run on the beach, and this poses difficulties when the tide is high, as the sand is soft. I run whilst walking my dog, and he needs space and the woods isn't ideal for him. I try the coastal path but they are lumpy and uneven and my motivation flags. If anyone can offer any advise on where to start going forward, I'd really appreciate it.

I've sighed upto the strength & flex program too.

Thanks

Vicki

[Annieapple Administrator]

🍏Hi Vickster007 Welcome to our forum. Well done on signing up to strength & flex which will really help your running!

Have you tried the Nike Run Club App NRC It’s free to download on your phone & you can choose guided runs which are really motivating and teach you a lot. They have fun names like I don’t wanna run, run or running in the rain etc you can choose the length of time you want to run or the distance! There are also 5k plans or 10k plans to help you run further and faster. Try a few guided runs to get you going again

You do need to find a route that works for you running with your dog or another if you run alone. If I am looking for a new running route I check it out on a walk!

Do come back and let us know how you get on!

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10]

Hi Vickster007 if you can manage to run for that long on sand you are a superstar! It completely defeats me.

The NRC app is great for motivating you as you go along but like Annieapple says you really need to find a route which is a bit less challenging. Have you got a park? They usually have lots of grassy areas and decent paths which aren't too hard on your tender knee joints.

Sorry, can't give any helpful hints regarding dogwalking whilst running

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

Firstly, do you want to run for more than 30 minutes? Only do it if you want to! You are probably getting a particularly good workout from your current running.

I find OS Explorer maps a boon for piquing the curiosity and extending my runs with a purpose. The alternative to that is to listen to something that will occupy your mind and many of us find spoken word good for that compared with music.

I used to use a waistbelt with a bungee lead to allow me to run in more places with Google (and there was a period when I ran with sachets of cat food or warm sausage in foil after a phase of us being in the same wood at the same time but not, ahem, together)