Newbie

[sammy1971]

Hi all, I have been thinking about starting running over the last few weeks but don't really know where to start, from how to & what to wear and whether or not I will look daft, 45 & abit overweight. Any advice would be great

[vivster Graduate]

Hi Sammy!

Do it ... You won't regret it. Download the first podcast, put on your trainers and head out. Wear whatever you're comfortable in.

Personally, I made some small investments before I started: I bought a new pair of tracksuit bottoms (because I'd been using my old ones to paint in and they were covered in emulsion) and a long sleeved breathable sports top (from Sainsburys of all places). I bought some Bluetooth headphones as I didn't want wires getting in the way and a holder for my phone that I strap round my arm. It also holds a key.

But you don't have to do any of that. Just get out there and see how you find it. You won't look daft.

[sammy1971 in reply to vivster]

Thanks, never thought about where to put a key,just don't want to look daft, I imagine everyone looking as they go past in their car, like they've got nothing else better to do hehe. how long have you been running.

[secan Graduate in reply to sammy1971]

Drivers won't look at you even when you cross the street, don't worry about it... well, no, you have to worry about it but not for the reason you think. XD

[vivster Graduate in reply to sammy1971]

My first run was on Valentine's Day and I'll be finishing week 4 tomorrow. Really enjoying it and amazed I'm sticking with it. I don't always want to go out and do it. But never regret it. As well as all the physical benefits, it's done wonders for my mood and energy levels.

Also, I am a lot overweight.

[secan Graduate]

The best advice I can give you is to stop thinking about it and start doing it.

To begin with, any kind of comfortable and breathable clothing would be fine. If you have some money to invest, the single most important thing to by is a pair of well cushioned trainers but, again, for the first few weeks any pair of trainers would do.

Welcome to the C25K club!

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

Just get out there with the first podcast! All you need are trainers and comfortable clothes, which most people have anyway. The rest comes later.

And really nobody is interested in how we look as we plod round, red-faced and sweaty. At least we're doing something! So hold your head up high and enjoy!

It really can be life-changing!

Oh, and keep posting here! Everyone on this forum knows what you're going through - we've all been there and we're here to cheer you on!

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Hi! I agree, you don't need much. Some comfy clothes - joggers or running tights and comfy trainers and of course our lovely Laura on the NHS C25k app or podcasts. Decent running shoes will probably be the most important thing as you build up your distance, but you'll read lots about them and gait analysis later if you keep visiting this forum. This is the place to come for advice and support and most importantly to share your journey! I used the app on my trusty phone with my own music. Also, please don't worry about what others may or not be thinking; just plug in your earphones and go - taking it really slowly and steadily. I am 50 (almost 51) and completed the programme at the beginning of October. It has really changed my life for the better, in so many ways and I am now running 10k on my weekly long runs. Its always great to see others setting out on their own running journey - lots of luck and let us know how w1r1 goes.🙂🏃🏻🙂

[hel212000 Graduate]

I'm 37 and a lot overweight but I don't care if people think I look silly I'm doing it for me not them and to be honest in the beginning I was just concentrating on getting one foot in front of the other and remembering to breath! For me best investments were decent trainers, a good sports bra and wireless headphones. Now I just need to loose enough weight to find a running belt that will go around my waist to hold my phone. Good luck, it really is an amazing programme.

[miss_august Graduate]

I was totally anxious about how I'd look because I'm quite a shy person who worries about that sort of thing, but once you get going you don't really think about it. Especially when you see others out running too! You can do it, give it a go! Good luck

[Rignold]

Where to start: outside your front door.

How to start: Download the podcasts or app from here and press play on Day 1.

What to wear: Whatever is comfortable. A t-shirt, shorts or jogging pants and a pair of trainers.

Whether you willl look daft: Who gives a ****? Daftness is in the eye of the beholder. I have never seen anyone running or doing any form of exercise who I thought looked daft (leaving aside that whole weird tpe-shoe things for a moment). I often see people dressed in the heights of current fashion who I think look daft - that whole thing teenage boys have with the trousers halfway down their thighs, and don't even start me on beardy hipsters with waxed moustaches and full arm tattoos, but I'm sure to themselves they look really cool.

I was 46 and quite a bt overweight when I started. I have not once regretted the decision to do so.

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Today we had a severely disabled runner at our local parkrun - she did the 5K in 1 hour and 17 minutes. Heaps of people waited for her to finish - including all of the volunteers (me as the official Timekeeper for the first time) and many of the faster runners. She got a great cheer as she staggered across the line - it had obviously been a VERY hard run for her.

Nobody thought that she looked "daft" !!

[ju-ju- Graduate]

We are the same age ( I think you were 1971? I'm 1970 !!!). DO IT , it will change your life. I started at 43 and never looked back, it's completely addictive, hard and will push you to the limits BUT you will feel more alive than you ever have done, you will lose inches and get firm in wobbly places ( have I convinced you now?). Do the C25k programme as its a great starting blog. Use the blog here to get support, it's a great community. Good luck 😎

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

So, Sammy....

Afte all the inspirational replies above, when are you heading out for Week 1 Run 1 ?

[sammy1971 in reply to John_W]

I'm surprised myself really, today I've gone and bought trousers, socks & an arm band & finally told hubby & kids that I'm going running next Sunday, (got to buy trainers) thought they would laugh not the case eek

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to sammy1971]

That's great news, well done.

Running shoes... Just remember to go at least half a size bigger than your normal size. And no need to spend a fortune either, especially at this stage (in fact, in my case, ever! LOL)

Just take it nice and easy next Sunday - you need to JOG not run. You have nothing to fear.

Please keep posting here - you'll get loads of help and support

Good luck!

John

[secan Graduate in reply to sammy1971]

Well done! Looking forward to reading your first run report.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Pretty much everything you need to get started, including helpful guides and inspirational stories, is all here:

nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/...

To help you on your journey, you should use (while you're out jogging) either

(1) the NHS C25k app - available from both iTunes (for iPhones) and from the Google Play store (Android phone)... OR

(2) the mp3 podcasts which are stand-alone audio files for each of the 9 weeks of the program.

Both have the friendly Laura as your guide for each run - the app differs to the podcasts in that it will allow you to play your own music from your phone while also playing Laura's helpful interventions.

The mp3 podcasts have their own music

It's your choice...

What are you waiting for?

[Hidden]

Hi Sammi. In just starting out too and a bit scared of wha people think! It seems very public but I am reassured by all the posts and replies on here. We can do this. And I'm older and probably more unfit that you!!

[kungfoo-panda Graduate]

Hiya Sammy, well done on you for deciding to get off the couch.

Don't worry about what others think because it really doesn't matter and besides as you progress nobody will care anyway.

We all started out like you with the same words but that's only natural.

There's tons of people who are here to support you and there will be times when you doubt yourself and wonder if it's worth the effort but believe me the Pro's certainly outweighs the cons .

Keep it up it will be fine in the end.

[sandman2477]

Don't worry about looking daft, I am sure you won't. I was recommended Karrimor gear from Sports Direct and it is inexpensive and very good. Good luck.

[Hidden]

I think people will respect that you are trying to change. You are doing something great! Don't be ashamed.