Help 0 - 5k motivation needed

[Tealover2]

I have tried to do this a few times. Get to week 2 and then life or the weather takes over and I seem to lose motivation. Would really like to achieve this but at 58 am feeling too old and unfit. Also conflicting views re. damaging knees in older age.

[Hidden]

Hi ,you can do it I'm 71 and yes it's been hard but keep going. I also had problems with my achy owd knees but have found doing the NHS strength and flexibility exercises on the days I don't run plus just a few gentle stretches before I go on a run and plenty of water has made a big difference to me don't know if it will work for you but give it a try. Just run very slowly and trust yourself please keep me posted on your progress on. Lol C

[poppypug Graduate]

Welcome Tealover !

Oh I can see me and you are going to get on famously - I LOVE Tea ! Its gotta be Yorkshire Tea though , in a big mug - Slurp ! Love it

Now then, first of all , forget about the " being too old ". You are most certainly not , no way . Theres absolutely LOADS of us fifties and over on here .

Plus, Weve got Patrick on here in his seventies , Nanna ( reply above ) and we even have Austen and hes in his eighties !

Most of us haven't run since the dreaded PE lessons from our schooldays , and even then I wagged it and went for a fag instead !

You don't have to look too far ahead. Start with Week 1 Run 1, its just a gentle jog. No worrying about speed or distance . If you have to repeat any runs, its not a problem.

If you really want to achieve this , you will find a way .

I would say without hesitation , commit yourself to this programme and take up the challenge . You certainly wont regret it , its life changing , it really is. Plus you will have the support of this fantastic forum to help you .

Good Luck, please give it another go, what have you got to lose ?

So, when are you starting ? xxx

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

We can encourage you, but motivation really has to come from you. You need to decide why you want to do it and then get your finger out and do it. At the age of 57 l realised that my stamina, when walking, was diminishing so decided to do something about it. Running was the only thing l could countenance and when l discovered the NHS C25k programme the die was cast. Years before l had consulted my GP about my painful knees, which at the time were preventing me from recreational walking. The doc dismissed me out of hand and after some research l started taking glycosamine, which improved my knees, over time, so l could even consider running.

Three years on running is just part of who l am. I am just recovering from a non running related injury, but soon hope to be back in the condition where l can run ten miles, without any special training. Now in my seventh decade, l am fitter than at any time in my life. I enjoy life more. I am more stable mentally and generally happier, almost entirely due to C25k. It works. It is a life changer. Be honest with yourself, dismiss those excuses and get on with it. You won't regret it.

To reduce knee impact run on grass, whenever possible. Believe me, 58 is the perfect age to start living.

[misswobble Graduate]

I was with Pops with the wagging it and going for a fag instead. I started C25k at nearly 57. Can't stop running now. Never run before in me life! You have to want to do it though. No-one can make you want to get fit and healthy. It has to come from you, and we can't kid you if you've not got the enthusiasm

I got into it via a lady at WW class. I've told another lady - a 66 year old - and she's finished it and did her first race for life last weekend. She is absolutely chuffed to bits, as we all are once we graduate from this fab programme.

Have a read at the posts of those doing it now so you can get a sense of how it pans out

[Hillrunner2201]

With regards to knees.....I've read that except for people with pre existing injury etc running will not cause wear and tear on the knees. IMHO if you stick to c25k you can't go too far wrong, it builds up gently and allows the body to recover to rest days. The biggest cause of osteoarthritis is being a overweight/a couch potato!!!!

[Eatcakeandrun]

In the words of the ad - just do it! As far as knees go - one major factor is weak quads, the muscles that keep the knee strong. So add in plenty of strengthening exercises on your days off, and you should be fine. It's already been mentioned but running on soft surfaces also makes a big difference, as does having shoes with cushioning.

Good luck!

[heavyhorse Graduate]

If you really want to do it ,there is no reason not to, maybe do a week or two before you start going out for brisk walk 2 or 3 times a week just to get you into a routine and build your fitness a little. If you are worrying about knees make sure you get well fitted shoes and try to run on trails or grass more than tarmac. You are certainly not too old, as you will see from the other replies!

[Knk22345 in reply to heavyhorse]

Great advice 👍

[helcl Graduate]

If you want even more support and are on Facebook there is a great group set up by people from here called c25kers on Facebook

[Tealover2]

Thank you for all your encouraging responses. I am not unfit in other ways so am probably just not giving it enough time. Knees okay but more concerned for any future possible problems. However, going to start and will let you know how I get on.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Tealover2]

Go for it! This empowering programme will teach you a lot about yourself and if you stick with it, just what you are truly capable of when set your mind to it. If you post your progress here, we won't let you slip.

Good luclick.

[AndyD Graduate]

Motivation when your're sat on the couch can be really high... but when it comes to actually getting your kit on and getting out there that motivation can quickly disappear. Yes, the weather is not always perfect and yes we all have lives to live, but the benefits and the feeling you get when you complete a run are well worth the effort.

At the early stages of the program you're only taking about 30 mins of running, so it shouldn't be too hard to find the time... set the alarm clock for 30 mins earlier and if its raining or more the fun and the sense of achievement... loads of us actually like running in a nice cool drizzle or at stupid o'clock in the morning!!

Get it in your mind that you're going to do this... get your "running" week planned out and get the dates/times in your diary or write it out and stick it on the fridge... tell the family/friends that this is YOUR running time and plan everything else around these 30mins a couple of times a week. You will be glad you did.

All the best

PS - Coffee is really good to