Well I got up.....

[AmIMad]

.....and went out there and did my very first run. Day 1, Week 1. Did it last night after hmming and haing and finding other really interesting stuff to do instead (reminded me of making endless revision timetables while at school - fully highlighted etc). Decided about 9pm last night ENOUGH. Got up and did it!!!! Couldn't believe it. Can't say I found it very enjoyable to be truthful but the sense of pride afterwards has me looking forward to tomorrow! I found a local group also doing it - starting next Monday when I should be on week2 - what do you all think about doing it as part of a group? Part of me thinks the support would be good but the set times would be a drawback? I've had a good read of the posts on here and the support given is phenomenal! As I say - brand new and running for first time since compulsory at school - ooooh 30 years ago. Yikes!

[AdamB Graduate]

Well done. You've made that important step - moving from thinking about it to actually getting out and running. Just keep this up and you won't regret it.

I can't comment about the advantages of running with a group as I've never had the opportunity. However, I would jump at the chance if it were available to me. Why not try it? Of it doesn't suit you could always go back to running solo, or even mix and match, sometimes running with the group and sometimes alone as circumstances dictate.

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

Like most people, I did the program on my own, as I wasn't at the point I could let anyone else see me run ( it really wasn't pretty!). Now though, I enjoy it. You lose nothing by giving it a try! Just remember to come back here and let us know which you found better. Regular posting on the forum will help keep you on the straight and narrow!

[misswobble Graduate in reply to agedsnailspace]

Well it won't hurt to try it. I run on my own - I did all of C25k alone - but am a member of a jog group too, and like them both. I think it might actually be easier to concentrate if you did C25k on your own but go along and see how they are going to tackle it as a group. You've got nothing to lose

Good luck, let us know how it goes

[Eliza79]

I'm a newbie too. Just about to finish week one. If there was a group near me I would try it just for the support. Good luck.

[hmsuthe]

When and where do you run, especially with it being dark all the time?

I work from 9am till 5:30pm and it takes half an hour to get to and from work, so when i get up in the morning and get home at night it's dark. I also live in the country so we have lots of country roads perfect for running in the summer but not so great in the winter.

[AmIMad in reply to hmsuthe]

Like you I'm at work all day - all the daylight hours at the minute. Unlike you however, I live in a town so have well lit streets available to me. I don't think country roads at night would be ideal at all. Far too dangerous (and dark!).

[breezie Graduate]

Well done on making a very important first step! I found the first weeks of running – something I had forgotten how to do – required a lot of concentration to ensure I could develop a style that I could keep up over a long distance (over 100 yards!). That meant thinking about my feet, knees, hips, arms, controlling any useless sideways movement, not bouncing, running lightly, breathing… the list is long and I couldn’t think about everything at once. I don’t think I would have been able to concentrate so well if I was also concerned about my position in a group.

I find the support on here really motivating. People respond helpfully to my posts and I appreciate the help they offer others as much of it applies to me too. I also keep a journal where I write how my running is progressing. I have also had to take a few weeks’ break here and there for various reasons and repeat some runs to regain fitness and wouldn’t have liked to have fallen behind the group.

Maybe I’m not a groupie sort of person but that’s my two penn’orth. Happy running!

[Miss_slinky Graduate]

Well done on getting started and hold onto that sense of pride (it only grows as you go on through the programme!). I can't comment on the group, as I am doing this alone although contemplating a group next month once I've finished. This group is super supportive if you have any questions or need some motivation. Good luck with your running journey! Well done again for taking the first step!

[Katie24601 Graduate]

I just started today as well and I had forgotten how much I hate running but after is such a good feeling!

[AmIMad in reply to Katie24601]

I couldn't even say I hated running before - it was just something I had managed to avoid at all costs! Good luck to you too - we can be starter buddies!

[Katie24601 Graduate in reply to AmIMad]

Haha cross country at school had put me off! I went this morning which I thought would like me tired for the rest of the day but surprisingly I felt really awake for college!

[AmIMad]

THANK YOU SO MUCH everyone for all your good wishes and support. Just to keep you all up to date I contacted the man who organises the group version today so I'm ready to go next Monday (12th) - will mean repeating this week but I think I'll give it a go - seemed to be general consensus from you all. I'll be doing my 2nd run tonight so hopefully that will go well. Thanks again - I'll keep you all posted. Most of you have also mentioned the amazing support on here - too true!! I feel part of a group already! I'll just have to two time you with the other folk. Hope you don't mind!