I am 41 years old and never been able to run even at a young age, but since loosing my job pounds been piled on and become more unfit the worst ever.
Im really concerned i cannot do this as much as I really need to, At the moment i cannot run 10 yards without being out of breath, is this to much to expect?
Nope, I started last year @ 40 and was 4 stone over weight (still 1 to go). I took it slowly to start with, ok I'm still slow. I used endomondo pro on my phone to create my own interval training programme loosely based on c25k, but half the running of week 1 and twice the walking, stepped it up slowly, basically repeating every week for the first month or so. Now I've done a couple of 10 km's as well as a monthly parkrun.
sounds like you have achieved a lot and very motivating for me to have a go.
Hi Plugy. I started when I was 56 and 97kg. The programme is all about starting gently and building up week by week.
You've nothing to lose by giving it a try ... and most people find that, once hey get started, they can do much more than they ever believed.
You'll get all the support you need right here!
You really can do this Plugy. I couldn't run up the stairs without gasping for breath and a pounding heartbeat. I honestly thought I might drop dead with a coronary at the start of each week but I'm still here and as fit as I've ever been in my life! Get your blood pressure checked if you haven't recently and if all is ok, go for it. It is a fantastic programme that slowly and steadily builds up your stamina so you can do more and more each week. I personally think there is subliminal messaging in these podcasts - I hardly recognise myself 
This programme can do it for all ages and abilities. I started at 51 with no history of doing any sports for decades.
Deciding you want to do it is half the battle, now you just need to get out the door!
Don't be daft, I began at 58 with a previous history of being absolute rubbish at sports. Now I run 3 times a week and love it! Take it slowly and you'll get all the support you need from us lot! Good luck!
As the others, I started at 63, having not run since school, where I loathed it. Now I too run three times a week. I struggled with week one but persevered and three time and distances crept up. You can always repeat week one until you can do all eight 60 second runs. Then ignore the annoying voice in your head telling you you can't do it and say "I CAN do this" over and over like a mantra, and you CAN do it!
(...the time and distances crept up.) Bloomin' predictive text!
I started last year aged 40 and 8 stone overweight. Runnin that first minute left me feeling like I was going to die. I'm now 6 stone lighter and on Wednesday I ran 6k cross country.
I have nothing but admiration for you. To achieve what you have done is a such an achievement.
I always comment to my son (14) when I see a runner ~ he runs a bit, and could be very, very good, but his passion is rowing. No X Box, PS, Game Boy etc, just blades (oars to you and I), a stretch of water and patient parents!
Yes of course you can. Great you've found the programme and this site. You'll get support from all of us who've been through the same journey.
That was me last year. I used to run, hadn't done sport or exercise beyond gardening or a weekend stroll for over 20 years and 4 stone overweight. I failed the programme last year as I gave in to the voice in my head. I couldn't get past week 4. I could barely run 3 minutes. I started again along with a lot of others as part of a new year 'resolution'. I completed in 10weeks only repeating 3 runs and the only difference was the voice in my head saying 'you can't do this' was kicked up the butt.
You CAN do it and it feels amazing.
For the record I'm 48, carried 4 stone in extra weight and I have arthritis and osteomalacia (rickets)
The only thing holding you back is you 
I was 41and fat, now I am 43 and a bit less fat. I can run 5k now though - I managed a 10 once but knackered my foot.
The programme is designed for people with no fitness and it works if you trust it.
Absolutely not!!! I'm 56, fat , never ran in my life and I completed 40 minutes this morning..slow and steady, knackered, but I did it....you can too...good luck x
Hi
I'm 45 this month and 5st over weight. It took me 3 attempts at week 1 run before I did it. I started week 2 this week and still not finished a run. I will try again on Saturday and sooner rather than later I will do it and move on to week 3 it may take 2 weeks or even 3 who cares I'm not doing it to impress anyone I'm doing it for me.
If I can do it anyone can.
Good luck
Sue
I started C25k last July 4 stone overweight, with high blood pressure and totally feeble, I couldn't run to catch a bus or anything. I always hated running and dreaded school sports days every year because of the humiliation of everyone seeing me come in last (if I finished at all).
Now I love running and completely addicted. I'm still slow and haven't achieved 10k or half marathons or anything yet, though I am contemplating a 10k event later in the year. I've lost 3 1/2 stone and was somewhat startled the other day when someone referred to me as thin! My BP is good now though my GP said I have to stay on tablets, it won't ever be perfect without them but I know the health benefits of exercising regularly have wider effects than just on my BP.
So yes, Plugy, you CAN do it. We nearly all started off unable to run for 60 seconds at a time, but you've taken the plunge and started, and this community will help and support you every step of the way. I know I couldn't have done it without the encouragement and empathy of people here. Best of luck, and keep on blogging! Sue
PS I'm 53.
Hi, and welcome to your first steps along the way to being a runner.
Never, never forget that as soon as you go out of the door and take your first paces, you become a member of the running family.
I would urge you to watch a Youtube clip called 'Running for my existence'. What this guy has achieved is astonishing; but before you pop your trainers on, best just to nip down to the doctors for a quick once over ~ better safe than sorry! Don't be alarmed, it's recommended for many new runners, just in the same way you would check the car over before starting a journey.
Congratulations, and try and enjoy every step and share every achievement on here; we are all willing you on.
I'm 47, never run before, always been too scared to!!! I'm over 4 stone overweight 
I was embarrassed starting out, thought people would be looking at me .... err, why would they bother??
I always find it hard to breath in through my nose and found this the hardest part of the programme. I read a few other posts on here and people were saying to focus more on the out breath and the in breath would naturally happen .... that works for me, also I'm not running very fast which helps too!
I did my 20 mins run the othe day, I couldn't believe i did it ..... that first run of 8 x 1 mins was a killer, couldn't see how I would progresss but I trusted in the programme and so far it has worked.
Go for it
As the others have said go for it, i'm 42 and have done about 6 months exercise since leaving school, I am on my last run of the program tonight and I am currently running the 5k in 28 minutes.
The plan is excellent, don't worry or doubt yourself, just get on and enjoy it
Whether you think you can or think you can't - - you're right! (Henry Ford)
You can do it
I'm 51 and was 4 stone overweight in February last year. I was never any good at running. I started the C25K and completed the programme without having to repeat a run. I know it's not easy but I refused to listen to that voice telling me to stop.
I'm now run 3 times a week, between 6 - 12k depending on available time, and 3 stones lighter! I can't tell you how much better I feel now. More alert and I have loads more energy.
Keep at it and don't give up. I promise you won't regret it.
I'm nearly 61 and also nearly 4 stone overweight so yes Plugy you can do it !! I got to w7 last year but hip injury got the better of me .Started again this year and my advice is take it slow and repeat weeks if you have to. As you can see from the blogs the support on this site is fantastic .Good luck xx
I feel overwhelmed by the positive responses thank you for the support, I am now starting my first day today see how I go
Old!!! Wait till you are 66 then you might be allowed to say "middle-aged"! If I can do it after never having run in my life (even stood in goal in hockey cos I didn't have to run there).
Go for it. You'll feel fantastic on your good days and carefully tended by this fantastic community on the bad days. You can do it...have faith in the program.
Hi Plugy I was 73 last June when I started, graduated in the September ,still run 3times a week very slow, conquered a hill I have been trying for months last week. The plus side is blood pressure down, I am not over weight but my shape is much better .Do what Laura said take it very slowly and you will be fine. Pat
I was 61 when I started, not having run since school (46 years previously). I wasn't overweight, well, only a bit, but I've lost a stone, feel much fitter and ran 10K only this morning. So of course you can do it; once you start you'll get lots of support from this forum. Go for it; you CAN do it.
I think just by deciding you want to give it a go you have already won half the battle! You can do this. Walk if you have to but just keep at it. Eventually a walk will become a trot will become a jog then a run. I'm not a 'runner', never have liked it but I felt so unfit that I needed to try something (I'm 42 and have CFS amongst other issues) and the sense of pride that came with completing just the first two sessions was amazing. Jump in, you can do this and, on days that you feel you can't, this community will buoy you up! Good luck! xxx
Listen to what they say up there, the programme works, if you need to take it slowly then do so, but give it a go. I never ran (I was glad I went to my school rather than my brother's, he used to have to do cross country, I only ad to put up with hockey and netball), in my 20s I was supremely fit, karate 4 times a week, yet still could not run. Last summer I found this programme, bought myself some trainers and started. The first week was hard work, puffing and panting like mad, 90 seconds wasn't long enough to recover my breath, but I stuck with it. As others have said your fitness improves dramatically and after a few weeks you will wonder what you were worrying about.
Go for it! I was the same only older, ex smoker, overweight, not had any exercise since leaving school in the late 70's. It's hard but well worth it, stick to the plan and don't try to push it. Not only will you feel fitter in 9 weeks time but also more relaxed, running is a great way to de stress.
You can do it! You CAN do it. YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Just start slow, repeate bits as needed & come here when you need support & encouragement or a shoulder to cry on. We will be with you every step of the way.
Good luck!
Go for it! Well, see your GP first and see what s/he says.
I'm 42, soon to turn 43 and apart from walking the dog I did naff all exercise. From reading these boards we don't seem to be in a minority.
I found weeks 1 & 2 VERY hard work but since then it's been progress all the way. I'm now starting to enjoy and look forward to run days.
I did start a diet around the same time and the 2 are working well together - I am steadily losing weight.
I look better, but more importantly I FEEL better.
Try - what have you got to lose?
No you are certainly not too old!!
You are younger than me. I was the same week 1 and I graduated and ran a half marathon. Stick with it and enjoy, it's challenging at times and progress at your own pace. You will amaze yourself. Massive health benefits to boot! Enjoy x
Wow what amazing stories and so inspirational to all reading.
I too am 41 and about 5 stone overweight. Tomorrow's run will be W7R3 and I am loving it. Never something I thought I would say about running but this programme is amazing. Have confidence in the programme and believe in yourself.
Keep us posted.
Love this thread. Plugy how can you fail with this lot behind you? Your body will do it in time. Just don't let your head stop you. I graduate tomorrow. Never thought it possible! Let us all know how you get on. X
thanks for the support really need it cheers.
This thread would be a good one to keep on a 'sticky' for anyone new! Very inspirational!
All the best, plugy - yes, you can do it. Slow and steady is a good way to go. Walking to start with if you need to, then jogging (quite possibly slower than your walking). Every week you'll find you can do more than the one before. It really does work.
From one oldie to another......... YES you can do it NO you're not too old! I started at 59, overweight, never an athletic type, now 64 and still "rounded" but reasonably fit and - what's more important - feeling good. I tend to stop running every year in November (too cold and wet outside and hate gyms) and start again in March, so this year Laura has enlivened my return to a 5k run 3-4 times a week. So I go slow - who cares? I'm out there and you can be too, believe me.
I'm 54, just graduated and a plodder even though Laura called me a runner 
Go for it, do it for yourself at the then of the day you have nothing to lose by trying, you can take as long as you like, it's not a race to finish the podcast. In the words of Laura 'You can do this'
Old?? I am 47, overweight and literally a couch potato, I confess that sometimes I do the same week 2 times because I feel too tired and have some pain in my knees but that doesn't stop me.. I DREAM TO BE A RUNNER AND I WILL, go for it my friend!! ??
You are NOT old! Just do it! I am 66 and weight stacked up a bit since compulsorily retired in 2008. Wanted to work until 70. You really will feel a great deal of benefit pretty soon. Age is just a number - it's attitude of mind that counts! Good luck and keep coming to this blog site - the people here are all a great inspiration for you - and all of us!
Yay another runner in the making! You are not too old, too unfit or too heavy. I'm much older than you, morbidly obese and I couldn't run once round the track at school when I was young. It's taking me ages (many months) and I'm not sure I'll ever graduate but I can run and I love it, I even caught myself running down the track to my allotment today to get out of the rain
Thing is, when you're a bit older, it's a good idea to go gently and listen to your body. I find the cardio and breathing challenging (I'm asthmatic) but what I have to actually watch out for is feeling too cocky, like thinking, Oh, that was easy, I won't bother resting for a day! and then joint pain sets in. The programme is paced just right to take care of that, so listen to Laura, and good luck.
I'm just about to start again, 3rd time; I got to week 8 first time but life intervened and I couldn't go running. Then I started again but halfway through decided to use barefoot trainers, so I'll go back to the beginning for that, or I might find my legs can't cope - it puts a very different strain on your muscles. And I'm 57, overweight, have high BP, and was the one hiding in a cupboard during sports at school. I felt fantastic once I was running regularly, and my asthma was noticeably better too.
Frightened I’m too old and unfit 
So unfit I couldn't run when I should have in week 1
Week 4 feels like a huge step-up - I feel so old and unfit!
Unfit and in a running shop!
Am I too old for this?
