Just starting...

[Katie24601]

I have been thinking about how i need to get into doing some form of exercise as its embarrassing how out of breath I get just from walking up a flight of stairs. I came across this and thought it looked manageable. I really disliked running at school as I was always so bad but it the cheapest and most effective way to get into shape. The only problems are finding time after college where I just feel so tired and don't wont to do anything and also I'm worried about meeting people I know when I am running as I will look hideous and i will probably be running really slow. Any tips for how to get around this?

[Airhare75 Graduate]

Hi Katie, I felt exactly the same as you just 10 weeks ago and now I run for half an hour 3 times a week. If you invest in the program, believe you can do it and you will. Nothing else really matters. I still hate bumping into people - occasionally it happens but I figure I look better running and out of puff than I would as a tubby sofa chick...

As for running at the end of the day- I do a mix of morning and evening as schedule allows- doing it is better than making excuses for not...

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to Airhare75]

That very encouraging to think of as I suppose people probably think its alot better to be running and at least I'm doing something about how bad I am! I know when I see people who aren't those impressive people who just seem to sprint by and have all the gear that I think good for them for actually going out running!

[Cheery_runner61 Graduate]

Hi Katie! The great thing with this programme is it does build you up gradually so you won't be doing too much running right away.

I know it's difficult making the effort after a busy tiring day but you'll probably find that once you get into a routine you'll very quickly feel the benefit of the programme and hopefully this will motivate you to keep going.

I know how you feel about other people, as I used to feel the same - now I don't even think about it! My neighbours are used to seeing a wee fat 53 year old in lycra! The more you do it the less self conscious you'll feel. I found that wearing a hat and shades helped initially - not sure why, perhaps my undercover disguise!! The truth of the matter is that nobody else really bothers. After all, if it were the other way round, and you saw someone out running, you'd just think 'good on 'em' I'm sure.

You've made the first move by coming on here - this is a great forum for getting support and encouragement. Just go for it, and I'm sure you'll soon be feeling the difference. Good luck, and let us know how you're getting on. I'm only on Week 3 myself (second time round) so not too much in front of you really. Happy running! x

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to Cheery_runner61]

Thanks for the encouragement! I think my problem is just trying to find more and more excuses not to do it but I think once i get into a routine of doing it I should be alright!

[moonmar Graduate in reply to Katie24601]

Katie, I find the hardest part is walking out of the door. When I started I couldn't even run for the 60 seconds but stick with Laura and you will be looking forward to go out three times a week for some "me-time".

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to moonmar]

I agree with you there! But I'll just try and imagine me so much more fitter and healthier and I'm sure that will motivate me!

[Cheery_runner61 Graduate]

Hi Katie! The great thing with this programme is it does build you up gradually so you won't be doing too much running right away.

I know it's difficult making the effort after a busy tiring day but you'll probably find that once you get into a routine you'll very quickly feel the benefit of the programme and hopefully this will motivate you to keep going.

I know how you feel about other people, as I used to feel the same - now I don't even think about it! My neighbours are used to seeing a wee fat 53 year old in lycra! The more you do it the less self conscious you'll feel. I found that wearing a hat and shades helped initially - not sure why, perhaps my undercover disguise!! The truth of the matter is that nobody else really bothers. After all, if it were the other way round, and you saw someone out running, you'd just think 'good on 'em' I'm sure.

You've made the first move by coming on here - this is a great forum for getting support and encouragement. Just go for it, and I'm sure you'll soon be feeling the difference. Good luck, and let us know how you're getting on. I'm only on Week 3 myself (second time round) so not too much in front of you really. Happy running! x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

All your doubts and concerns are very familiar most of us on this forum, but you have made a great decision to do C25k. Firstly, it really does work and in just a few weeks you will be able to run for 30 minutes without stopping as long as you stick to the plan. Secondly we nearly all felt that fitting in runs would be difficult. I was getting up at 5.30 in the morning to run after I had done the first few runs, since I was so addicted. Just do what you can, leaving at least a day between runs and I am sure you will soon have no trouble finding the time. As for concerns about other people......you will soon find out that runners are largely invisible and once you start you really won't care what they think anyway.

C25k is about taking control of your health, so you do it at your own pace and very soon you will be running up those stairs and proud of yourself. If you need advice or support, you will find loads here, so good luck and ........what's keeping you.

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks! Though it does seem impossible that I will ever be able to run 30 minutes! Though it really helps reading about how other people have started from nothing to complete it!

[Miles_Yonder Graduate]

Hi Katie; congratulations on making the decision to start C25K. The program is very manageable and it really, really does work. You'll go from not being able to run much at all to running for thirty minutes, but by that point you'll be addicted and won't want to give it up! The advice and encouragement posted above is excellent; I will add, regarding finding time to run, I prefer to do it early in the morning as then it's done; I too get tired after work and to ensure it gets done, I do it first thing in the morning - it's a good start to the day. Plus early in the morning you encounter less people; after a while though you'll be past caring who you encounter, especially when your fitness builds/

It'll be tough at first but keep on with it; you'll be so glad you did. Take each run as it comes; don't look too far ahead into the program at once as it can be a shock, but do not worry - as you progress through you'll manage the runs much easier than you think you will when you're looking at week seven it written down from week two!

Take it steady, take it easy and don't worry about speed or distance. Your fitness will build before you know it. As has been mentioned, there's all the support and advice here you could wish for, and we're all a friendly bunch.

Running is addictive though, don't say you weren't warned!

Good luck!

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

Thanks! It seems weird to think that running could be addictive but we'll see! I do find getting up in the mornings so hard even though I now it would be alot better!

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to Katie24601]

If it helps, I used to detest early mornings; I really didn't like early starts at all but when I took C25K up in April, I realised it was pretty much one of the only times I knew I could get it done. I went from hating early mornings to really loving them; even when I'm off work I get up early to do it; taking up running has odd little side effects like that!

It is addictive and it sneaks up on you as well; it'll take a while before you truly love it but it does happen. Don't listen to that voice in your head telling you to stop; tell it to do one and carry on - it really is worth it in the long term!

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

If I get into the routine I'm sure it will be alot better! At least I'll be up and awake!

[Hidden]

Hi katie firstly welcome you have come ot the right place secondly this is the best thing ever , believe in it and jump right in , It will be an amazing thing to do .

Most of us started from nothing and were non runners, basiclaly non any form of exercise probably ,the only exercise i got was walking to or from my car and i smoked to boot .

It is a struggle to start but once you do you will not want to stop , If anyone you know sees you just smile and wave it is you who is out there running , do it for yourself

good luck and let us know how it is going

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks! It's good to know that other people started the same as I am now!

[Hidden]

Hi Katie, well done on starting C25K! I heartily agree with everybody who has already posted replies to you

You can run for 30 minutes. It may not seem like it at the moment but we all started in the same place. Trust in the program and St Laura will get you through

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It's encouraging to know people started where I am now!

[ju-ju- Graduate]

I started for exactly all the reasons you want to...and that was nearly 2 years ago...please try it, you will love it, and our community here will be right behind you

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks for the support!

[useitorloseit Graduate]

What they all said! I used to feel really embarrassed when I first started, and it was summer so I used to go out at 5.30am so I wouldn't bump into anyone! Actually, it will probably be dark once you finish a college day, so you probably won't be recognised anyway! Stick to safe, street lit places if you're going out in the dark and wear reflective clothing or lights (Sports Direct or any sports shop sell cheap stuff with reflective strips or flashing lights). We pretty much ALL struggled with the first 60 second runs, but the buzz you get when you complete a run far outweighs the discomfort of actually DOING the run! Take it really slow and don't forget to do some stretches afterwards, otherwise your muscles will complain the next day. And enjoy the peace and quiet you have all to yourself for half an hour per day when the rest of the world can just b***er off!

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

Its getting up to do it will be the hard thing as at least it the morning i will be fresher!

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

Do you eat anything before you go out for a run in the morning?

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to Katie24601]

If I'm running very early just a banana. If I'm going after everyone's gone to work and school I have a bowl of porridge and leave it to go down for at least an hour otherwise I feel a bit nauseous. For some reason I am not comfortable running later in the day as there's too much food and drink sloshing around inside me, but I know lots of other runners run later in the day.

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

I just had a banana this morning as I literally got up and went before I could put it off! Bananas are supposedly meant to give you energy so I thought I needed all the energy I could get!

[Melly2 Graduate]

Just 3 months ago I was in your position too, we were all there first but trust me, it will work. It has worked for everyone here and certainly will for you.

I also find early morning good, it means its done for the day and you are less likely to encounter people. But you know what I figured too, is that what people will think, say, do, etc is MOSTLY all in our heads! I have seen a few people I know around and honestly, it probably didnt bother them as much as it bothered me! I mean I highly doubt me running was the highlight of their day or that it made news, So just get it in your head that they don't care, and so you shouldn't either! The pavements belong to everyone!

Best of Luck, let us know how you get along.

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to Melly2]

Thanks! It's not just me who feel that way! I will try and keep that in mind as I go along!

[EustacuaVye]

Hi Katie. I too am stupidly embarrassed by my lack of fitness, and probably more so because this is my third time on the programme (finished both times and was enjoying my 30 min jogs but first illness and then a dog bite put paid to my exercise).

I try to pick routes where there are few people around, or go out early in the morning or just before dusk. I wear a hat and gloves and apart from nodding to the odd cyclist or runner that nods at me, or exchanging words with dog walkers, I avoid eye contact with people.

I do know that in time, the confidence comes...it did before with me and will do again. I jog slowly but wasn't too bothered about being out because I knew I could do 30 mins of continuous jogging.

Good luck. Keep at it. You will get there, but just take it a week at a time rather than looking at the end goal.

Keep posting too

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to EustacuaVye]

The way that I could run round is either like on main roads or like this housing estate where I know loads of people so I think I would rather risk someone I know seeing me instead of going along main roads! Thanks for the encouragement!

[poppypug Graduate]

Hi Katie, can only agree with all the other posts. We all started off with feeling exactly the same, its normal, so try not to worry too much .

You just gotta get out there and give it a go , this programme is definitely life changing. I am sure that once you start , you will never look back ! Plus, you can post on here telling us how great you feel !

Its over to you Katie, you CAN do it . Trust in the programme and Laura. Slow and steady is the way, don't worry about speed and distance .

Good Luck , we are all here for you xxx

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thank you very much for the encouragement! It will make it easier knowing I'm not on my own!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Katie24601]

Youre never on your own on here Katie xxx

[hilbean Graduate]

Welcome and well done on making the decision to start. I can only repeat what everyone else has already said.

[tomlertoos Graduate]

I suspect that once you get underway with the programme you'll feel it gives you such a boost that you won't care if people notice you! I used to get a lot of encouragement from strangers who'd just smile or give me a cheery wave.....I also pretend that once I'm wearing my running gear I'm invisible!!

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Katie, this programme was designed for ordinary folks like you and me. I felt just the same when I started, both about my ability to run and about being 'seen'. After sticking to the programme I now know I can run and if anyone sees me I consider myself an example to them! You don't become a seasoned runner overnight, you get there, literally, in a series of small, manageable steps. The podcasts do exactly that. Trust them, stick with it and you will quickly get hooked.

Come back and tell us all about it as you go. You can do it!

[carerof Graduate]

go out early evening and make the most of the dark evenings. By the time the clocks change you will be so use to running you wont feel so self conscious. Good luck

[Katie24601 Graduate]

Well I went for my first run this morning! It was alright! Definitely got a lot harder at the end and I'm pretty sure that my walk was not brisk in between the runs but I managed to complete all of it. It does remind me about how much i hate running though!

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to Katie24601]

I think we all hate running on Week 1! Then the achievement buzz comes .... and that's it - you're hooked!