I'm inspired !!

[kirsten117]

Hello everyone......I have been reading the couch to 5 k posts for about a month....I'm so inspired by all your progress!! Me and my daughter will begin the program this weekend. I haven't exercised or even ran in years, but I see this program working for so.many .....any advice for beginning would be appreciated, cheers xx Kirsten xx

[ju-ju- Graduate]

I'm so excited for you well done!! I run with my son and its just the best....I hadn't ever run really in my life and the programme worked for me, it's the best

[thinlizzyIwish123 Graduate]

The program is great. I'm building from strength to strength and ran further than ever in my whole life thanks to C25K. I think it's changed me and my view of food and life altogether. I do get my off days but I never give up and just keep doing my best. People on here are hreat support. Good luck!

[Scarlett_K Graduate]

My only advice is don't expect to be a sprinter right off. Go steady and listen to your body. Slow and steady wins the race. And don't worry about what anyone else might be thinking of yoy. I see people of all different abilities, ages, and shapes out in the park enjoying their runs.

Maybe have a read of some runners world or similar articles on beginners running. There is quite a lot of conflicting advice sometimes but just try out and do what feels best for you. Expect a few aches and pains when you first start but if you're really in pain then rest + doctor! Good luck, you'll love it

[Scarlett_K Graduate]

Oh and sometimes you might have a bad run. Mine have been because I got too cocky and went too fast, both times. Don't let any bad runs put you off, just try to learn from them

[SimonM]

Hi kristen117

well done to you both, certainly best to do it with someone.

Best advice I can think of is stick with the program come rain wind or shine. That can sometimes be quite testing but just do it

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You won't regret it. Do stretch after every run. Look at these nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/... It may seem like overkill, but will help reduce aches and possible injury. Always have a rest day between runs, again to help avoid injury. The aim is to run for 30 minutes non stop by the end of the plan, so take it slow and steady. Consider buying some decent running shoes, once you have decided to stick with it.

C25k will change your life. Good luck.

[Purplefox]

Hi there

My advice would be to not give up. I started in the middle of January and found it extremely hard to run for 60 seconds, I thought I would never do it but I persevered and gradually I got fitter and managed it. I have had to repeat some weeks due to being very unfit and about 5 stone overweight but the programme works! Yesterday I managed to run nonstop for 25 minutes and should run my first 5k at the end of April.

Rest days are important too but do some other activity such as walking, gym or swimming etc but no running.

You can do it

X

[squaremum Graduate]

I graduated last September and then my daughter said she wanted to do the programme so I did the whole thing again with her. It was great to help each other along. Everyone else has given all the good advice: good shoes, lots of water, rest days.

Keep us posted!

[hits Graduate]

My daughter is a mega gym bunny with a few marathons under her belt who, as a hobby, teaches spinning at a local gym each week. For years she's nagged me (nicely - as a concerned daughter) to try to change my couch potato, eating and wine drinking anything ways. Around September last year, a good friend told me about C25K and said the he and his wife were going to do it in an attempt to get fit and also lose a few pounds. He kept saying, "it's just 40 minutes a day and you don't even need to go near a gym" - which for some reason really appealed to me - as I've always avoided them like the plague.

So I downloaded the podcasts and decided to give it a go.

At the beginning I can't say that I enjoyed it but I kept going and completed the sessions. However, around week 3 something just clicked and "like a duck to water" I really started to get into the programme. Unfortunately, I went a bit mad (typical male -like a bull in a china shop) and pushed myself too hard and too fast and picked up an Achilles problem but once recovered I started the programme again and did my final run - a 5k parkrun - last weekend.

I really don't know why C25K works so well but I think it's due to combination of factors, the simple to follow podcasts, the self - satisfaction of achieving the runs and progressing each week, coupled with the fantastic support from this forum.

My advice - go to a good sports shop and get yourself some decent (not necessarily expensive) running shoes, stick with the programme, take your rest days and even take additional days when your body tells you it needs more rest and regularly go on the forum to see that we're all in the same boat.

And, most importantly, don't do what I did and take it slowly - it's not race.

Best wishes to you and your daughter - keep us posted.

[moger Graduate]

good on you its a great program and theres help on here if needed