Newbie here..

[goldylocks30]

Hi all

I am new to the couch to 5k and excited to get started on Monday, any hints or tips on getting started?

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Welcome goldylocks (love the name). This is a very friendly community and you'll get loads of support throughout your journey.

Take each run slow and steady, repeat runs if you need to and don't be hesitant of taking extra rest days if you need those too. Remember to breathe deeply and often and always stretch after each run. You'll find examples of these on the c25k home page.

Well done on taking the first step. You'll be running into a running wonderland!

All the best.

[goldylocks30 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you my new friend, i am in belfast here and i am planning my first run for after work this evening, start as i mean to go on i just downloaded the app on my phone so i will give it a go see how i get on, ive just started the 12 week programme also so today i day 1 for me. x

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to goldylocks30]

What a coincidence! I'm from Northern Ireland but have lived in England for 30 years! There's some fab scenery around the coast. Lucky you!

[goldylocks30 in reply to Irishprincess]

Awk this is awesome you can b my motivation partner on this website lol i am off to New york in 12 weeks, i need to get my bum off the sofa once and for all and loose some of this jelly belly i have going on lol. I am in newtownabbey but i have some lovely coastal running routes here as well so should be quite good fun x

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to goldylocks30]

Would love to be your motivation partner! Thank you for asking.

How fateful is this? I grew up in Jordanstown!! ( sorry everyone else. This means nothing to you!)

New York is a great goal. Imagine running around Central Park!

[goldylocks30 in reply to Irishprincess]

OMG i went to Jordanstown uni and i grew up in Carnmoney lol this is awesome, well now you mention NYC we both wanted to do a run there when we go and visit!!

x

[paul2014 Graduate]

Welcome aboard, goldylocks I can remember the excitement of that first run (only just graduated) and it just gets better Remember to take rest days between runs to give your body time to adjust and recover. Good luck and keep us informed on your progress

[goldylocks30]

Thank you so much for your reply, i have just emailed my boyfriend and told him i will be going for a run tonight, he was v happy for me. I just downloaded the app on my phone and its really good so i hope to complete day 1 tonight after work xx

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to goldylocks30]

Good luck and enjoy ;),

[MarkyD Graduate]

Hi GL30, and welcome to the fitter, trimmer, healthier new you. You've made the commitment to be more active, and (now you've told everyone here on C25k) we'll expect lots of progress reports Seriously, this is a lovely community of runners and everyone has been so helpful and encouraging.

Post often about your successes, and don't be shy to ask for help, or post questions about how to improve.

Advice? Take it easy, don't try to run fast and look after your body. Trust Laura (the coach in the podcasts) and she'll get you running for 30 miutes. Some of the graduates are now running much faster and greater distances: don't be put off by this 'cos you'll be there in 3 months.

Some point in the next 2-3 weeks you may want to ask about running shoes and gait analysis, and (sorry to be so forward) make sure that you have an appropriate bra.

Enjoy your run tonight... getting out of the door the first time is the hardest part.

[goldylocks30 in reply to MarkyD]

Thanks for replying to my thread, i am excited and i have 8 weeks now to get fit and healthier before my trip to NYC. I hope i can run 5k by then.

I will be on every day knowing me so dont worry i will deffo be asking plently of questions

Thanks again

Barbara

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to goldylocks30]

Just bear in mind that the NHS C25K programme is a 9 week job (although if you are able to run every other day and every run is complete, it will be quicker - but it doesn't seem to work that way in reality!) and, very importantly, that by the end you'll be able to run continuously for 30 minutes which may or more likely may not be 5K.

[MarkyD Graduate]

"On every day" LOL.

It is called 'CRAPAS' C25K Running and Posting Addiction Syndrome. We all get it!

[frannyfran Graduate]

Welcome to the programme and good luck with your running.

But be warned, it's seriously addictive!

[Miles_Yonder Graduate]

Welcome to the community, Goldy!

Take it nice and steady, don't worry about the distance you cover, just concentrate on running for the duration of the session. It will be difficult, especially at first, but keep on with it as running is amazing and can change your life in ways you don't expect.

Oh, and one more tip: ENJOY!

Post your progress on the forum; you'll find all the help and support you could possibly need.

[wizbit89]

I will be starting too. A couple of false starts and trying to kid myself that I could do more then I could. looking forward to a fresh start

[frannyfran Graduate in reply to wizbit89]

Then welcome to you too and good luck with the programme

[goldylocks30 in reply to wizbit89]

Best of luck, we can be each others motivators lol x

[grannyjudes Graduate]

Welcome aboard, and good luck on this new journey. this programe is truly awesome, I am 67, started April 16th, graduated June 15th and I can run 5 k , very slowly, it takes me 50 minutes, but I had never run in my life before April. Never get disheartened, and if you do come on this site for support. remember to take it slow then slower, speed will come later, take your rest days and sort some shoes ( go gait analysis, if you purchase the shoes they dont charge, and some shops dont charge anyway ) I am very envious of you running in Central Park, I lived in USA up to 3 years ago, before my running days, if I lived there now I would join you

[mustgetthin Graduate in reply to grannyjudes]

Slow and steady wins the race! xx

[mustgetthin Graduate]

Running is not just about speed. It's a journey. Ups and downs but there is always support on here. Welcome aboard!

S x

[CasFowler]

Hi well done for thinking of starting you will find a wealth of inspirationand support here so keep coming back. Also would seriously get proper gait analysis and trainers as I could not get past week 1 until got new expensive but worth it trainers. I would strongly advise you stick with it and remember you can do it and it will hurt but so worth it.... keep us all updated on your progress pains and ask loads of questions even if you think they r daft they r probably not and someone will have the right answer good luck x

[kpisofficiallynuts Graduate]

Welcome to C25K, I am on week 7, which means I now can run for 25 minutes without stopping. Wow I never imagined (as I'm sure you don't yet after possibly a very heavy legged run 1 week1) I would be doing that when I started 7 weeks ago. I've been taking it really slow and steady and have managed to run every other day and haven't had a 2 day rest break. It works for me so far. I've been hooked on running though, those precious 30 mins are my time, and I'm much more confident in my 'style' now, don't mind if I'm seen out, can breathe and run without having to concentrate on it too much, can smell honeysuckle in the gardens I run past. I even have any left in me to run a bit faster for the final few minutes. I've kitted myself out in some lovely new running tops and shortly will be going to get some shiny new trainers, my current ones feel great 'off road' but not so good on pavements. I feel like a new me - and hope you do to in the coming weeks. Keep going and focus on NYC - lucky you!!!