First Week Approaching

So I'm starting week one of C25K this coming Monday ( 20th Jan ) after 20 odd years of no exercise. In a way I'm excited in knowing that if I can persevere with the regime then I will lose weight and start getting fitter. On the flip side, I'm quite apprehensive in the knowledge of what my body is about to be put through.

[greenstar]

Go for it Darren. I'm about to start week 3 today and can't quite believe how excited I feel about it. I hadn't done any exercise for about 25 years (47, 2 stone overweight on a good day), and the first run was OK ish, but I was puce in the face, and it took me about an hour to be able to get off the floor and I was very sore the next day, especially my hips. Already though my recovery time is much quicker and I've learnt to stretch properly to avoid aching muscles.

The best bit of running advice (linked to somewhere on the NHS C25k site, but I can't remember where) I read anywhere was to run as if you're trying not to make any noise - it works! No more sore hips. And it's fun running around pretending to sneak up on people.

Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to greenstar]

Thanks for that greenstar...I'd be lying if I said I didn't have any concerns, but hopefully I'll be able to look back on my early entries on here in a few months and realize it was all worth it!!

[greenstar in reply to Hidden]

Never mind a few months, in a few weeks you'll start to feel the difference. Just back from W3R1 and it was hard but I did it. Two weeks ago I couldn't to run for 60 seconds. I think you develop a different mentality as you do this programme - after years of couch slobbery it takes a while for you to be able to trust your body to do things it's not used to.

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Welcome...Now don't worry.. I started last feb having never ever run and I hated sports... There was something about this that fitted ( mid life crisis etc), and I completed a half marathon last

October.. Amazingly!!!

My advice would be.. Expect it to be hard, expect to feel aches and pains and expect to find yourself

Getting excited about the next run and the rush of endorphins it will give you... Keep us posted on your progress and good luck!

[Hidden in reply to ju-ju-]

Thankyou for the welcome....I'll certainly keep folks in the loop as to how it's going, though I must warn you, there may be a few profanities included in regards to aches and pains !

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Hi there and welcome. This is a lovely site and you will find lots of support and help. Your about to start on an amazing journey. You will feel the sense of achievement right from run one. The fact you will get out there and start will make you feel so much more positive. Good luck.

[Jenwrenarm Graduate]

Welcome Darren and well done for taking the first step in deciding to do this! Yes it will be hard sometimes but the sense of achievement is amazing and it leads to a whole new life! Come back here and let us know how you progress. This forum will keep you going.

[Fattytumtum Graduate]

Welcome and good luck for Monday. I packed up smoking in September after a 30 year habit. I started the program in October having not done any real exercise for over 20 years. I struggled hugely with week one (I couldn't run the full 60 seconds), but following advice from the lovely people on this forum and listening to the lovely Laura I made it through in about 10 weeks. I can now run for 45 minutes (not the fastest in the world) and do so three to four times a week. I've lost a little weight with the program but my body shape has changed dramatically for the better. I guess what I'm saying is; if I can do it anyone can. Keep posting on here and we will help you through to become a runner. This is the most inclusive and accepting bunch of people in the world.

[Kalypso Graduate]

Go for it!

[Billian]

You can do it......I just completed week one after more than 25 years since I last ran! First run wasn't easy but by the third it was better, and now looking forward to stepping it up next week

[tal31 Graduate]

Welcome Darren. Good luck on Monday. All you need to do is listen to Laura and enjoy it Working through the program and graduating is an amazing feeling and I'm sure, like the rest of us, that after the first couple of sessions you'll be completely hooked! It's changed my life!