Absolute beginner

[nomorecakepls]

I'm going to try this for the first time today and I'm terrified! I'm hugely out of shape and very selfconcious. How did you all get through the first run?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome and congratulations on making the decision to do C25k. You will not regret it! Start slowly.....much slower than you think you ought. You can always speed up a bit next time, but having to stop because you are exhausted is demotivating. Do stretches after your run ( NHS Choices site). Most of us were unfit, many overweight and I think all self conscious when we first went out there, but the rewards are amazing, as you can read any day on this forum, and it can truly change your life. At times it will be hard, but C25k will develop a determination in you to achieve and the targets are attainable. If you find it too hard, slow down and if necessary, repeat runs, until you are confident.

Good luck and keep us posted with your progress.

[mrqwest Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Talk about inspirational!!!

[Jenwrenarm Graduate]

Me too nomorecakespls! We can be newbies together! Wk1 Run1 for me tonight as well! Lets check in tomorrow and see how we both got on! Good luck. Some great advice and lots of motivation to be found here I think

[nomorecakepls]

Thank you! Hubby is on week 4 and loves it so I thought I'd try

Jenwrenarm glad I'm not the only newbie good luck for tonight!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to nomorecakepls]

My wife started after I had been doing it for a few weeks and she will graduate in a couple of weeks. We haven't actually run together yet, but that is something to look forward to. You can do it.

[Jenwrenarm Graduate in reply to nomorecakepls]

Just finishing work and feel pooped! Doesn't bode well but I'm determined! Trainers on as soon as I'm in the door!

[nomorecakepls in reply to Jenwrenarm]

I'm babysitting at the mo so waiting to be relieved before I can get on it!

[Nerdio Graduate]

You are both about to embark on something which I am sure will change you. We all started out feeling like you did, self-concious, and not sure what we have let ourselves in for. The best advice is that which lannoda gave, slow and steady is the way. The first week is 8 repetitions, so it might be tempting to shoot off on the first one. Don't, keep it slow and you will finish the run. Stick with the plan, and you will do fine all the way up to Week 9 Run 3, running for 30 minutes (which you can do, maybe not today but you will. Trust me).

Oh, and keep blogging everyone loves to hear how others are getting on, even if they are the bad days (and we all have those).

[MrsMozzer Graduate]

Welcome to C25K. We'll all tell you to take it steady, and that it really doesn't matter if you have to repeat weeks or runs until you're happy. Just get your kit on and do it!

And don't forget to come back to the site and raise a post whether you've had good/bad/indifferent runs! We like to share and support each other - and have a laugh into the bargain.

[nomorecakepls]

You guys are all so lovely, thank you! I'm looking forward to giving it a try as soon as I get home

[crox Graduate]

I used to get off the bus 30 mins from home, which left me no choice

[Natalie01 Graduate]

Hi, loving the nomorecakepls tagline! It inspired me to post, as well as all the lovely encouraging comments! I'm repeating week 1 because I haven't run since school, and that was 25 years ago and although i'm not self conscious about what I look like out there, I am not very confident in my ability. I've managed to sort out my breathing which has helped but by the last two 60 second runs there's some pretty serious panting going on. Bit nervous about embarking on week 2, is it much much harder? I agree slow and steady is the way to go.

[Time_to_get_fit Graduate in reply to Natalie01]

I've just done w2 r 1 and managed it fine - and I have always been phobic about exercise. In fact, I almost enjoyed it and I can't believe I'm saying that! Go for it.

[Natalie01 Graduate in reply to Time_to_get_fit]

Thank you! I'll report back on how it goes.

[runningwild Graduate]

You wont regret it! Don't worry about anyone else, just enjoy it and remember it does get easier and easier the more you do it...good luck. It's been said loads but the people on here are so supportive and also they don't get a glazed look in their eye when you tell them about your running or anything to do with running!!! Keep us posted...

[chickens01 Graduate]

I dont think i can add anymore to what has already been said,but welcome to the club, you'll love it

[Hidden]

Welcome!

[Tready Graduate]

Well done on making the decision to join us. Good. Luck with your first run

[Jenwrenarm Graduate]

How did you get on?

[heartbreak_star Graduate]

Good luck I hope it went well for you both!

HBS x

[GoogleMe Graduate]

The short answer to how did I get through the first run is that I didn't! I had to work my way up to completing a Week 1 session, but I did it in a way that helped motivate me and see progress. First time out I managed 4 of the run periods and as soon as I couldn't carry on, I walked the rest. Told myself "Yay, I did half of it!" Next time out, I managed another 4 "Yay, I kept it up!" and gradually crept up until I did all of them 3 times (some 12-15 attempts) The funny thing is, I never had an unscheduled repeat for the rest of the programme - and yet when I tried Week 1 again as a graduate, ugh all over again. It is hard to get that pace right for 60 seconds yet you really do need to start there. So IannodaTruffe's suggestion of going slower than you think you should is bang on - all you need at this stage is a running motion.

BTW I am still a resolutely no-fuss runner and I don't do stretching. Not on run days anyway.

[Hidden]

Do you think they're both still running?

[nomorecakepls]

Fraid not. My run ended in disaster as I started feeling very off during the 6th run minute and then had a seizure (had them in my early twenties but had been fully controlled) which resulted in the evening in A&E

So not sure on the future of c25k for me

[Hidden]

Well, you've done a run and that counts for a lot, even though it may not have ended the way you wanted it to.

Speak to your Doctor, get their advice, and hopefully you'll be back out again soon, You can be assured of a lot of support from all the folk here. Best of luck!