Completely useless runner signing up...

[finleykj01]

Haven't run since I was at Primary school (completely avoided any running at High School, you know the type, sagged off cross country and went for a smoke instead..) and am now 45. Have a lot of weight to lose and am completely unfit. The prospect of even trying to run for a minute horrifies me but I'm going to give it a go. Any other 'exercise-phobics' on here who've managed to successfully get going with the programme?

[NJA95 Graduate]

I did my first run today! I also haven't run since school so was quite anxious. It was hard, and the first few running sections were horrible, but I was able to recover during the walking sections and actually finished the whole 30 minute workout. I'd recommend going very slowly on the first running section otherwise you'll get out of breath straight away and lose motivation  

[moonmar Graduate]

I was exactly the same at school. Then 40 years later I thought I would try this C25K thing.  Couldn't run for 15 seconds when I started and now I rarely run for more than 15 minster without taking get a breather but I got there and I can run for 30 if I want to.

It works and you feel so much better afterwards.

[Zev1963 Graduate]

It's a wonderful program. Do give it a faire crack, it really is worth it. Many of us on here Thought we would hate running, and are now addicted to it. The trick is to listen to the lovely Laura on the podcasts, and do as she says, and no more.  Start as slowly as you can. The aim is to be able to run continuaously for 30 minutes at the end of 9 weeks.  Speed does not matter at all. Speed can come later if you want it to, in fact, speed will come automatically, without trying, if you continue to run 3 times per week.

I hadn't run since school. I'm now 53.  I hated cross country at school. It just felt like a way for the teachers to get rid of us for an hour why they kept warm inside.

I started the program in Sept 2014, finished it in Nov 2014, and now I love running. Sunday I ran my first half marathon distance around Draycote Water. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and didnt feel tired at the end. Before I started C25K 2 minutes was a struggle.

Start the program as soon as you can, post your experiences on here, and you will not regret it, I'm sure. 

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Zev1963]

School cross country runs - what a joy. Always seemed to rain when we had ours. The problem is we weren't taught to run and didn't really build up to it, like this course does. It was just: get out there and do it. If you were already sporty and super fit, you ran it. If not , you stumbled and dragged your way through it. Running through the programme is totally different. Just perservere Finlay and you will manage it. There are people who started when they were much older than you, people with health issues, obesity , all sorts of problems but they did it. You can do it too

[Zev1963 Graduate in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Spot on BopTillYouDrop49   You've hit the nail on the head there.  We were not taught to run, just told to go out and do it, and the first was exactly the same as the last.  Ironic in a way, when you think that school is there to teach and encourage. What it did was just chuck us out there and put us off the whole idea.  Such a shame when they could easily have done something wonderful like the C25K program and ended up with a lot of keen runners.

[Katie204 Graduate in reply to Zev1963]

You've made a really good point, Zev1963. Wouldn't it be great if C25K was taught in schools, so that even the non-sporty kids learned that they could achieve fitness more easily than they expect!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Not an exercise phobic, but know where you are coming from!

Welcome to one of the best things you may ever have done. 

I had not run since University... ant not much then.. but I have managed C25K and now still running and hoping to head to 10K ( I am...no Spring Chicken..66 in fact). I love it!!!!

Start the programme.. follow it carefully, slow and really steady, will be the advice.

Loads of great advice and support and encouragement here...no criticisms and no unkindness.. that is rare isn't it?

Do it...Take a big breath and start

[poppypug Graduate]

Hello and Welcome to the board !

Please do it , you most certainly wont regret it . There are loads of us on here who felt EXACTLY the same as you , then followed the programme and discovered a love of running that we never dreamed of .

This is a brilliant place for support, encouragement and advice . If youre not sure of anything , just ask, no matter how " daft " the question might seem to you, it wont be , I promise xxx

I would say 100% go for it ! Good Luck and let us know how you go on ! xxx

[HeatherGrrr Graduate]

Go for it! I was the same - definitely not a natural runner to say the least. I'm now planning my graduation run, and can manage 30min (and about 4.8k) without collapsing! When I started I didn't really think that would ever be possible.

My advice would be to go really slowly, and not to worry if you think you're getting even slower as the runs get longer. That's fine, it's sorting out your pacing and it's vital! I've had some runs where I'm sure I'm going slower than if I walked, but it feels so good to know you ran for the full time! Don't worry about speed - "running" doesn't mean sprinting and it all counts, however slow!

Don't worry if it takes longer than 9 weeks, I think that's pretty common. Sometimes injuries or illnesses get in the way, or life throws up other hurdles. Sometimes the runs just don't work out and you might need to repeat weeks or runs - none of this is "failing", it's all just extra practice!

My other bit of advice is if you're feeling apprehensive or the little gremlins are having a whisper in your ear, just put you running kit on and get out for the warm up walk - tell yourself you can stop after that if you still want to, but I promise you won't! I've felt that way a few times but I've always gone on to do the run once I'm out there!

Good luck, you can do it (if I can then there's hope for everyone!) 🍀🍀🍀

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to HeatherGrrr]

I can really endorse that strategy of just getting kitted up and out there walking. I used to tell myself "You don't have to do this if you don't want to"

[Rhedwr Graduate]

Yes, all of us!  We all started from the same place, in essence.  I was 53 , was (and still am) overweight, and had hated running all my life.

I graduated last September and did my first ever 5k race in October - BEST FEELING EVER!

Give yourself a pat on the back for making the decision - take it slow and steady, and trust Laura. After all, she's your new best friend. 🏃😊

[justkeepgoing Graduate]

Hellooooo   I'm due to do W6R2 tomorrow and I'm loving it.  As you will probably have seen, the final run in week 5 is a non-stop 20 minute run.  I can honestly say that although it wasn't a breeze (nothing worth doing is in life though eh?) this 20 minute run was easier than the 1 minute runs in week 1 for me.  I thought I was going to pass out doing them! My point is, I believe the programme really works and if you can't quite believe it yourself, take a punt on what everyone on here is saying, and just give it a go   GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY x

[Celtprof Graduate]

Loads of us- you are in good company! I was three stone overweight and my main form of exercise was reaching for the Pringles in the top cupboard. I started the plan in February and found the first week hard as I wheezed my way through the runs. Last night, I put my running shoes on and ran without a break for twenty five minutes, feeling good. Believe me when I say that if I can do it, you can too. Stick to the plan, go slowly, get some half decent (but not wildly expensive!) shoes and don't look back! Good luck and do use this forum as a place to vent, share, laugh and seek advice. 

[kirstyfbates]

Join the club! Another cross-country tragedy here! (No kidding, in my four years at primary school my best position was 31st... out of 33 competitors.)

I have been an avid walker/hiker for many years now, but recently I've been feeling as though I want to 'step things up a little'. I have come to realise just how unfit I am, and I want to change that! I tackled my first C25K session this afternoon, and yes, it was really hard. I confess, there were a few running minutes I had to substitute for walking because I literally thought I was going to die from the stitch I had in my shoulder (another thing I need to work on!). 

That's the thing -- it's called "Couch to 5K", but it really does take a lot to go from absolutely nothing... to running non-stop for one whole minute, so with that, I refuse to be disappointed, or ashamed in myself. I do not mind if this programme takes me longer than 9 weeks to complete, as long as I complete it -- then that's a big enough achievement for me.

And well, as for the feeling you get afterwards? It's worth it for that. I feel so refreshed, and clear-minded!

Anyway, I wish you all the luck with your own personal journey -- and look forward to seeing you around in the community!

[kirstyfbates]

Join the club! Another cross-country tragedy here! (No kidding, in my four years at primary school my best position was 31st... out of 33 competitors.)

I have been an avid walker/hiker for many years now, but recently I've been feeling as though I want to 'step things up a little'. I have come to realise just how unfit I am, and I want to change that! I tackled my first C25K session this afternoon, and yes, it was really hard. I confess, there were a few running minutes I had to substitute for walking because I literally thought I was going to die from the stitch I had in my shoulder (another thing I need to work on!).

That's the thing -- it's called "Couch to 5K", but it really does take a lot to go from absolutely nothing... to running non-stop for one whole minute, so with that, I refuse to be disappointed, or ashamed in myself. I do not mind if this programme takes me longer than 9 weeks to complete, as long as I complete it -- then that's a big enough achievement for me.

And well, as for the feeling you get afterwards? It's worth it for that. I feel so refreshed, and clear-minded!

Anyway, I wish you all the luck with your own personal journey -- and look forward to seeing you around in the community!

[jt24 Graduate]

Done it and graduated

There are a LOT of us who had the same background/ wrote extremely similar posts!

I found the first run ridiculously hard but as long as you really want to succeed, you will. It may take a bit longer than 9 weeks, it doesn't matter.

The programme, honestly, can take anyone from scratch to running for 30 minutes. (If you tap on my username it should bring up my previous posts, you'll see/ read my graduation post and back story if it helps)

You've just got to be committed enough to do it.

The forum here is brilliant for support. Read, post, ask, you'll get the support you need.

Get out there and good luck

[Sivaram007 Graduate]

The toughest part of the whole program is to get out of the couch and hit the road. Once u manage to do tat, everything else is as easy as it gets. Jus keep coming here and follow some lovely posts by others which are very inspirational. I did it and u can do it too... Happy running !!!

[Annacadsden Graduate]

go for it! I am just about to finish wk3 - honestly thought I would never get there, but it really IS doable...

take it at YOUR pace, and don't be tempted to go too fast - you can do it! 

[yatesco Graduate]

Just wondering how are you getting on Finley?