I'm going to DO THIS! But......: I have a bad... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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I'm going to DO THIS! But......

I have a bad knee (two operations on broken patella in the past 2008, 2010) and flat feet, and am about 5 stone overweight! Ive never run (successfully) I HATE running. I Love the IDEA of running and especially now its sunny. I really want to be good at it though. How shall i prepare?

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Mackenzie3913

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14 Replies

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misswobbleGraduate9 years ago

Ooooh I hate that word "but",and there always seems to be one.

No what-ifs, buts or maybes, just do it. You know you need to. Having the excess weight is more strain on your knees than the small amount of running that you have to do for C25k.

Being more mobile and lighter will help your knees. Walking is also a good thing to do and burns loads of calories. You can do it any time and it's free. I started losing weight having decided I needed to stop being fat and unfit, and the first thing I did was to borrow a dog. I joined WW, started C25k and have lost nearly 5 stones

It can be done of course but you have to just stop thinking about stuff and actually do it. Shut off that inner voice and listen to Laura's dulcet tones instead. She is the goddess of C25k and we hang onto her every word. You could do worse. Start today!

bebabebaGraduate9 years ago

I'm not an expert but I can certainly recommend a really good supportive pair of shoes. I tried with a cheap pair, my legs were a bit wobbly when I ran and weren't doing my knees any favours. Was worried about my knees with running (not that I've had any operations but I'm also 5 stone overweight) so I tried to at least get a bit of walking in, got a Garmin for Christmas so got into monitoring and building up my steps. I found once I got my lovely new shoes I just wanted to get out and use them, whether it was even just walking to the shops, it gave me some great motivation just to be a bit more active. I like the borrowing a dog idea though!

Mackenzie39139 years ago

Thanks Misswobble and Bebabeba ! It's like I have a devil on my shoulder, but you guys have been the angel today. Thank you for quietening the beast! I Will get out and do it today! And Misswobble!! Almost 5 stone gone

That is amazing, and inspirational! So it CAN be done! Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Oh and yes please Bebabeba I'd love a good shoe recommendation. I too think a few new bits and bobs will spur my motivation to go out and use them.

bebabebaGraduate• in reply toMackenzie39139 years ago

Aww! These are mine: amazon.co.uk/ASICS-Gt-1000-...

I like to overpronate so they were good for me (which is probably why i have dodgy knees!), a few friends also wear the exact same ones and swear by them

AncientMumGraduate9 years ago

You can so do this, it's just a matter of preparation, effort and confidence.

Firstly Preparation: Get some proper running shoes, preferably with some cushioning to absorb some of the impact as you land. Next spend at least 2-3 weeks going for brisk 20-30minute walks 3 times a week, to get your muscles and joints ready for running. Finally, and most importantly, search essential quad strengthening exercises on the search bar at the top of the page, and do the exercises regularly. They are amazing and will really help protect your knees from further injury.

Secondly, Effort: no one says the programme is easy; it requires effort but it's enjoyable and doable. Don't feel you have to finish in exactly 9 weeks. Give yourself permission to repeat as many runs and indeed weeks as you need to to get through. If you intend to be a runner for life, then it doesn't matter if it takes 9weeks or 9 months to finish, it's all part of your running journey.

Thirdly, confidence: Running is as much about your head as it is your legs and cardiovascular system. You have to believe that you can do it before you can do it. Just listen to Laura (the voice on the podcast) and do exactly what she tells you to do. The programme is so well designed that you can't go wrong if you follow it to the letter.

Good luck

boptillyoudrop49Graduate• in reply toAncientMum9 years ago

I think this post says it all really. Be prepared to be amazed at yourself and find out that running is actually an enjoyable pastime. Welcome to our nice running community and best of luck with it. I'm looking forward to seeing you go right through and graduate

Mackenzie3913• in reply toboptillyoudrop499 years ago

Thank you! I am looking forward to it as well! What lovely words of encouragement.

Mackenzie3913• in reply toAncientMum9 years ago

THank you that is great advice. I really was thinking of it as a time schedule, but you are right, there's no rush. I really want to give it my best effort and not get injured on the first week so I am going to take your advice on board. And especially the Preperation bit. And the Confidence bit, Oh oh and the effort bit too! Lol

Thank you!!!

AncientMumGraduate• in reply toMackenzie39139 years ago

Brilliant!! I forgot to add one piece of essential advice -keep reading the posts on here and, of course, post your own successes and troubles. The support on here is like a wonderful hot air balloon that lifts you high and carries you along when you need it most.