First Run Tonight

[DoJo1979]

I'm starting with this program tonight, I'm dreading it as I don't enjoy running and I really struggle with it, however a work colleague (who felt the same as me about running) is 5 weeks in and loving it - he thinks that anyone can do it, so it's almost like a challenge for me. I will try my hardest to stick with it as I need to start some form of exercise (and my wages don't pay enough for fitness classes 😂)

If there are any first timers out there today - good luck, it would be great to know how others get on.

[rugrat]

I did my first run today I went better than I thought. I managed to do it. Thinking I wasn't going to be able to finish the first day I just took my time. Feeling happy that I did it. No injuries, no aches or pains. 😃

[DoJo1979 in reply to rugrat]

Hi Rugrat

Glad your run went well, mine was fine although I'm a little achy this morning.

I'm not yet dreading run number 2 so that's a great sign.

Dojo

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Okay...welcome

So... well.. here you are... Follow the programme, take it slow and steady...and your chum is right.. anyone can do it.

Take it one run at a time... make sure you take your rest days too.. listen to your body and do not be tempted to push too hard

With luck, you will end up enjoying the journey and hopefully, also, enjoying the running... you will anyway, feel fitter mentally and physically

There are quite few newbies starting, so you should have company. Keep posting for advice and support too !

[jaybro28 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

What Oldfloss said. Slow and steady, don't worry if you need to repeat a run, perhaps even multiple times. Though, I'd bet you'll end up having to repeat fewer runs that you think right now!

[gotalongwaytogo Graduate in reply to jaybro28]

I agree with jaybro. I repeated week one twice and week 3 a few times too!!

[DoJo1979 in reply to jaybro28]

I didn't even realise that you could repeat a run - I really need to sit down and have a proper read on how the whole thing works.

Thanks very much

Dojo

[DoJo1979 in reply to Oldfloss]

Many thanks Oldfloss

Slow and steady for me 🐢

Dojo

[Pizzola]

I felt the same as you. I'm now into week 2 and I love it already. I am utterly amazed that I'm looking forward to running tomorrow morning!! My day 1 was awful as I tried to go far too fast and it meant I didn't complete all 8 running sections and I needed 2 days to recover.

Take it super slow and remember to keep us updated! This site is the most amazing source of support!

[DoJo1979 in reply to Pizzola]

Super slow is the way forward for me 🐢

I'm glad I didn't have a bad experience on run 1 - I'd never want to start run 2.

Congratulations on getting to week 2 - hope I can join the club soon.

Dojo

[gotalongwaytogo Graduate]

Hiya! Like you I literally hated running (very overweight) but I started 6 weeks ago and genuinely love it now. You get such a buzz when u finish a run. It's so good and pleasantly addictive. Give it a go! Only thing I'd suggest it trying to get a friend or two on board. 4 of us from work do it and without them I'm not sure I'd have stuck with those first few runs. You get each other through. Good luck x

[DoJo1979 in reply to gotalongwaytogo]

I went with my sister yesterday, and we've roped our other sister into starting too - I think it's important for me not to do this solo, it would be too easy to find a way out if nobody else is relying on me.

I really hope I get to 6 weeks in - that is great.

Thanks for the advice

Dojo

[Lstace]

Hi, I'm on run3 of week 1 tonight and I am strangely loving it! Never thought I would actually look forward to running (very slowly!).

It's nice to see other newbies joining up and giving it a go, we can all support each other along the way!

Lisa 😀

[DoJo1979 in reply to Lstace]

I've only done the one run - but I'm not dreading the next one.

It's great that you are loving it, fingers crossed I can get there.

Thank you Lisa

Dojo

[DoJo1979]

Well I did it ☺️ and it wasn't as bad as I thought - the walking sessions came around very fast (thankfully) I was lucky enough to have my sister with me and we took it very steady.

Now to stay motivated with it.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice - much appreciated.

[Bonkersbrit Graduate]

Stick with this forum, it's at least as important as the podcasts. Read around it when you have time, ask when you think of " silly " questions, moan when things don't go your way and yell and scream when they do!

Congrats on your first run👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Keep running, keep posting and keep smiling👍🏼🐢🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻😀😀😀😀

[DoJo1979 in reply to Bonkersbrit]

That Tortoise is me 😂

I think it's a fantastic forum - great advice and encouragement. It's nice to know there are other beginners out there too that feel the same way as I do.

Thanks

Dojo🐢

[KimLoulou Graduate]

If I can do it as a 55 year old who has never run you can do it.

[PippiRuns]

You'll find quite a few ex-exercisephoebes here. But many of us have turned and become running addicts ❤️🏃‍♀️You may become one too. Go slowly and aim to enjoy rather than perform!

[DoJo1979 in reply to PippiRuns]

I'd love to become a running addict, I get so jealous of seeing people out running, but it's never been something I can do/enjoy. Let's hope I can turn that around 🏃🏼‍♀️

Thanks for the advice.

[PippiRuns in reply to DoJo1979]

Being jealous of runners is an EXCELLENT point of departure. That is what got me started and I run all the time now. You are an addict in the making, I can feel it!

[Sillybilly1 Graduate]

As @Bonkersbrit says, it's a good forum with plenty of good advice and help

[Plantpoweredmama]

Completed week 1 run 1 tonight and feeling fantastic hope you enjoyed it!

[DoJo1979 in reply to Plantpoweredmama]

Can't say I'll ever "enjoy" running - but I didn't hate it, so that's a bonus.

Congratulations on week 1 and feeling fantastic.

Love all of the positivity on here.

[quirkybee Graduate]

Hi Dojo

I did my first run last Wednesday. It must gave been the hottest evening of all, I thought I was going faint, lol. Burning sunshine beating down, but I finally did it, yet exhausted afterward.

I've yet to start run 2 of wk 2, but have been feeling so lethargic lately that I haven't done it.

Well done to you, it's all positive. Hopefully us newbies can all support one another 😊👍👍

[DoJo1979 in reply to quirkybee]

Luckily it wasn't to hot yesterday - although by the end a nice ice bath was tempting ❄️🛁

I am determined (for now)

To be fair it doesn't take much for me to start making excuses, but at least for now I'm in the right frame of mind.

Good luck with week 2

[Cantersmum Graduate]

I am about to do my w1 d3 so only just ahead. Have found the one minute runs just about ok although can feel them in my legs by the end of the minute! But feel so good afterwards it is inspiring me to keep going. Like others said go as slowly as you can and you will be fine! Good luck

[DoJo1979 in reply to Cantersmum]

Thanks for the advice Cantersmum

It seems there are a few of us new starters about (good to know)

Good luck with day 3

Dojo🐢

[Row99]

I have loathed exercise my entire life, when my friend who is a runner told me 'you will feel so alive when you run' - I couldn't stop laughing. Yeah right I thought, actually I'll feel half dead, what's to enjoy? Why are there these crazy folk running everywhere, surely the only time running is warranted is when you need to run from a bear? I also didn't understand anyone who said 'it makes you feel good tired' - so does eating crisps & watching tv I thought. HOWEVER, I am on week 5 run2 and when I ran on Tuesday I felt 'alive' - and proud of myself, and ready for the next challenge. People who know me can't believe I'm still doing it! So if I can do it & even enjoy it, so can anyone! So go you and let us know how you get on!

[DoJo1979 in reply to Row99]

I used to be a firm believer of "running is for criminals" 😂😂😂 only kidding - but seriously I have never enjoyed running - I used to be great at 100m sprint but anything further than that I couldn't handle.

Everyone on here seems to be very positive and enjoying it, so there must be something in the program that works.

Thanks for the encouragement 👍🏼

We are going for our second run tonight - and we've ever recruited some friends.

[PippiRuns in reply to DoJo1979]

How did it go?

[DoJo1979 in reply to PippiRuns]

I'm not going to lie - I'm struggling to walk, first 15 minutes of the run went relatively smooth but from then on it was difficult. Kept to a slow speed but I guess going from no exercise to running two nights in a row is going to be a bit tough, two days off now and back to it Sunday - still not dreading it though 😁

Did you run today?

[PippiRuns in reply to DoJo1979]

Well done! You struggled, but you did it. In the future - don't run on consecutive days, would be my advice...

And yes, I ran today - I run every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and I run around 30k a week, preferably with the lovely people in my running club.

A year ago (March 2016) I felt just the way you feel now and I did not believe that I would ever become someone who runs 30k per week. Now I am training for my second half-marathon. Just to say, everything is possible.

[Row99 in reply to DoJo1979]

Awesome! Let us know how you're getting on!

[quirkybee Graduate]

Well done Row, this is all very encouraging. Still not done wl 1 run 2. Hoping and I really am hoping to do it this weekend. Wish I had more time to spare. I really want to be able to run, so fingers crossed I will.

Lovely to hear everyone's stories 😊