Fun poll:What’s your best advice for first tim... - Couch to 5K
Fun poll:What’s your best advice for first time runners? Sorry re-edit as gremlins stopped play. 😀
Please select one:
Don't put any pressure on yourself. If at first you don't succeed.....
I would tell them they CAN do it too!
I seem to be with the majority so far, follow a beginners plan.
Start on a treadmill! One road run a month ago gave me shin splints that I can’t shift 
Sorry to hear this PD. I tend to run on trails or grass, road running is harder on the legs so really hard going for new running legs.
I find treadmill and road running does seem to use different muscles! Or at least uses them in a different way. I got shin splints in week one of C25K and found walking everyday for 30 mins for a month and doing the toe lift exercise (raise up and down on tiptoes to strengthen shins) as well as getting some over-pronation insoles all helped and I haven't had shin splints since.
I’ll give that a go, thank you 
Stupidly, having done run one on road and causing a lot of pain, I continued with the rest of week one and started week two, until I fell off the treadmill in tears and haven’t been back to the gym since! Am taking anti inflammatories now, so will start walking again and build up eventually
Definitely get supportive trainers, I had shin splints and this helped so much. Also compression sleeves and lots of stretches after the run seems to have sorted it for me. Good luck!
Following a plan like C25K covers most of the basics - encouraging slow and steady, rest days etc so I think it's a great way to get started. I also would recommend warm up and cool down stretches and walking to build up stamina before the program or on rest days.
You can do it!!
Got to be slow and steady for me. 😀.
I wanted to tick them all, but you ain't getting nowhere without a plan... even though I still need to keep telling myself all of the above a year and a half after graduating
Get good shoes, run slow, rest up between the runs, hydrate lots and sleep well, forget about other runners, take your time, take forever if you have to, don’t run through discomfort or pain and always, always ask lots of questions. Always!
You forgot to mention running in the right kit MrR......otherwise all bases covered teehee!
What is the right Kit?
I know mrrun well enough to say he will answer proper running shoes fitted after a gait analysis done at a specialist running shop........ and I couldn't agree more.
Very useful poll.
From the get go,be aware of the toxic ten and by going slow your half way there.
💥🏃♀️🏃♂️💥👏👏
Sorry what’s toxic ten ?
Hi,
It’s the delay between your brain and your body when you initially start running and that your body needs extra oxygen to sustain that movement.
Perhaps called your second wind🤔, for me more like my first wind, but certainly and until you settle into your breathing rhythm.
You can google a more medical description and follow up on inhalation/dissipation/exhalation of our respiratory system.🤔
👊💥🏃♀️🏃♂️👏👏.
Read the posts on this site, almost guaranteed you concerns are covered.
Don't worry that you are not superwoman/man, let your body tell you when, how far, what speed ... If you don't make week 3 run 2 who cares, try it tomorrow or the day after - you are doing this for yourself, all the times, speeds distances etc. come with time. Let yourself grow.
As well as following C25k I’d say stop worrying about what other people think. This was a real barrier for me at the start. But the further I ran the less I cared.
Share the journey with family and friends. I found the most motivational thing was having 2 friends also doing it. We didn’t run together but we discussed it loads and still do. It kept me going through dark days and tough runs
I found the runs in weeks 5 & 6 quite difficult but sometimes I repeated a run two or three times before moving forward and that seemed to help
I can only vote on experience. C25K all the way 😀
I’ve just completed week 1 run 2. I’ve done run 1 6 times over the last 3 weeks and just completed run 2. Keep trying you can repeat the same runs until you are ready to move on to the next run/week!
So many of those are at the top of my list, but following C25k is the first (along with BELIEVE IN THE PLAN - it works). Go slow - you shouldn't be gasping - and be sure to take rest days would be next. But where is 'join and participate in the HU C25K forum' ???? That's what kept me going from zero to 12 miles 😀 Thank you HU and all involved xxx
All of them are pretty sound advice I would say
Slow and steady...and be kind to yourself, have confidence...you can do it, oh and smile, it really helps 🌻
It’s not a race! Slow and steady does it. Get your kit and running shoes ready the night before a run - that seems to help my mindset. I’m loving C25K - just completed the 20 minute run for wk 5. I’m in my 50’s and have never been a runner, now I’m hooked!!
Hi Millsie-J and Fishypieface great poll and the first one is to follow a training plan like the C25K, but also get fitted with good running trainers and do a gait analysis for the right trainer. Ah, that's 2 extra things there, haha.
Hope you are both well, I haven't seen most on here for a while, but seeing your lovely names brought back memories so I thought I'd say hello 😘👋😊 xx
I’m here most days quirky.........plus there is my Run for Fun Quest on Bridge and my Monthly Chat on C25k this month. I’m still here 😃👍🏼
Hello! I have out of action for about a year with persistent arsecheekitis that wouldn't bugger off- started again a couple of weeks ago at Week 5. Couldn't follow the plan, didn't take it slow, did compare myself to others thus making it all rather hard for myself - idiot!! Ran 30 mins for the first time today so fingers crossed I am on the way again. I'd also forgotten about the toxic 10 until it came up and slapped me round the chops morning. That got me to slow down! Hope all is good with you? xx
Strangely I couldn't actually see the poll; however, my top tips (mentioned by the others) are:
- get properly fitted for good (not nec expensive) running shoes;
- if you're female, make sure you have a good sports bra
- follow the C25K plan - it is SO good (repeat days if nec & don't worry if you can't do 5K in 30 mins - it is running for 30 mins non-stop that is so amazing!)
- use this forum for the good days, the bad days, information....
- HAVE FUN!!!
I can't see the poll either. This probably isn't top of the list, but I'd say don't rule out running in the rain until you've tried it. Rainy runs are one of the most joyously ridiculous things I've ever done and always bring out my inner Cheshire cat.
Although I voted earlier, the poll must be having probs as was said above. All I can see now is to choose either N or A.
Taking it slowly is key though, I always remember Oldfloss saying this and it has stayed with ever since and always will, as it is right. Endurance is achieved no matter how slow we go, we will get to 5, or even 10 miles irrelevant of speed, it all builds up.
Keep with it. Remember, this is not a competition, the only thing that matters is that you progress at your pace and distance. I for one did not run 5k in half an hour after 9 weeks. That took a while longer and it took 'baby steps'.
Play has resumed folks.....if you voted earlier please add your vote again 🙏
Obviously all good tips Millsie-J...I put follow the c25k plan. Think the post run stretches can be helpful too...and stay hydrated!
Enjoy it too!😁xxx
Don't give up if you can't run every other day. I started C25K at the end of last October and I haven't finished yet, but I'm still going and getting there - in my own time.
Get good quality running shoes and gait analysis. Made it so much better for me
3rd run today and loving it
I thought my app was on the blink!
Don't look too far ahead ( on the programme, not the road.)
Follow a beginners plan AND dont run too fast
Yeah! This time managed to vote, lol
I only started on a Couch25k course because a friend didn’t want to do it alone. OMG 😮 I thought I was going to die 😁 (and I exercise regularly and play tennis )
BUT I persevered. I have even run 10K!!!
The girls who ran(!) the course were fantastic, as were the group doing the course - we are still together as a group 10 months later and all of us joined the local club who ran the course.
I hate it (running) but I continue to punish myself because it has done me so much good and I fret if I don’t run 5k 3 times a week !!!
I’m 73 so if I can , so can you!!!
Gait analysis and proper running shoes - they may seem intimidating but they make all the difference!
I voted for slow and steady, so even if you don’t use C25K (but why wouldn’t you??) this is good advice and keeps you going. It’s not a race at the start!
Having started on my own without a plan (I thought I was fit enough 🤣) it has to be follow a plan, pref C25k.
On my own I very quickly had issues with tight muscles, I wasn't even going that far but you need a proper plan to ease you in, and to keep your momentum going.
I cannot recommend C25k highly enough and the HU forums. Having just broken the HM barrier just under a year since graduating C25k I cannot imagine being where I am without it 👍😁
Without c25k I certainly wouldn't be where I am today - 9 months later I am running 3 times a week, comfortably achieving 10k, 3 stone lighter and on the way to beating type 2 diabetes 😀
Well done JP! 👏👏👏
Thanks TC!
Stick to the plan. Don't try to catch up if you miss any runs.
Don't let the occasional bad day put you off - we all have them!
I read that if you think your going too slow, go slower 🤣 I found that helpful actually x
Persevere. A word my teacher at primary school used to use far too much, but you can’t finish the plan unless you do. Keep going - it is so, so worth it!
I wanted 4 or 5 votes, went for persevere but wanted to vote as well for follow a plan, don't go too fast, have a rest day and don't compare, plus others, in fact all of them! It worked for me, ran 7 k today having graduated November. Can't believe it, the plan really worked for me
do the c25k with a friend! great for motivation!
Remove any barriers to going for a run! This means having set run days (if possible) and making sure run kit is prepped in advance and ready to go (including waterproofs, music, etc!). Also have your route planned in advance; get enough sleep and eat and hydrate well so you're not too tired; ask loved ones to (gently!) encourage you to do your run if your willpower is wobbly and you're thinking of missing a run. Also: get statistics with a fitbit/garmin or app. I found it motivating (and still do!) to maintain or see more improvement (however small) in speed, distance, heart rate, pace, cadence, and weight.
parkrun
I'm with the majority too, re follow a beginners training plan, but I would also have liked to add, 'Embrase your inner snail'
Hard to vote as they are all good advice.
If you have supportive friends and family - tell them what you’re doing. If you don’t then don’t say a word - there’s lots of snarky folk around and the last thing you need is someone being sarcastic about your efforts. Oh and use this forum - the difference between success and sustained success...
It's important to believe that you can achieve it 😁
Following a C25K plan is a given so I voted for always taking a rest day but basically all of the points make sense when you're new to running
Start running alone! Because everyone runs on it's own pace. And don't try a running/meetup group. They're always doing to much for really beginners. Two times I tried to start with a group and both times it ended up with knee injuries. Then I found (after some other beginner plans) C25K and now I'm a proper runner with no (almost no) knee problems!
at least 4 of these are equally applicable
follow a program..
slow does it..
take your rest days...
don't compare..
Watch your knees.
Listen to your body.
Also try doing the Park run. I started when I received a brochure advertising the Park Walk @ Park Run in my local park and now I'm on Week 9 Run 2 of C25K. Never thought I would be a runner and enjoy it at 54. Now my daughter comes too and she has already completed her C25K
Having a programme to follow made everything seem so much more achievable. And it’s working!
could have voted for all the answers but the biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is slow and steady! If I’d kept on trying to go fast I would have given up by now
