Getting Going

[Ancient1]

Hi everyone. I have never been a runner - even as a child. Having just reached 70 (!) I have decided to challenge myself by starting C25K. Am now on Wk4 but find myself on the verge of giving up on the first run of each session. Things get better later. Any tips on getting past this initial hurdle???thanks.

[Sarahb18 Graduate]

Well done for getting started 👏

I'm approaching 60 and on w9 and I agree I have regularly contemplated giving up !

What has kept me going is the support and sound advice on this forum, the feel good feeling (after run😂)and without doubt the health benefits!

Keep going , challenges are good for us and I will be watching you progress 👍

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Jewel84 Graduate]

Good on you. I'm almost 60 and haven't run since schooldays. Don't give up. It's daunting when a new week starts. I take a 2 day break after the first run of a new week to recover from the increased effort and do the second run on a Wednesday. Keep going. You're doing great 🏃🏼‍♀️💪🏼🌟

[Hidden]

I had also never run before, although I am a youngster at 54. About to graduate. I guess it depends why you are on the verge of giving up. Once the runs got longer I started to find them boring. My solution to that has been to run in the woods where you have to constantly think about what turn to take next look out for tree roots and low branches so it is more interesting.

I found the first run of each week best because I got a kick out of running further than I ever had before. So if your issue is you struggle then you might need to run slower.

At the start of most runs I thought what's the point, just go home, immediately I started running. Stubbornness got me through that and then when I have done a fair bit of the run I can't give up because that would be a waste of effort.

Buy some expensive running shoes then you can't waste the money. Post on here that you are going out so we know to ask how it went. Decide when you are going to run and just do it before your brain has time to say no. When I run after work I don't stop, in door, glass of water, running kit on and out again in 5 minutes. If I sit down I know I won't do it.

But if you have got to week 4 you are doing great. Keep it up because the achievement feels great as the runs get longer and you look back and think no way could I do that a few weeks ago.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

[Ancient1 Graduate]

Thanks everyone for your support! I am determined not to give up. It's the initial transition from walking to running that I find difficult, but I know that my cardio fitness is rubbish, so I guess I just have to be patient and hope it will improve?!

[Wizziewood in reply to Ancient1]

Ditto all the previous replies. I would just add start off ridiculously slowly. I always find the transition from walk to run a bit of a struggle but slowly my speed increases from very slow to just slow! (I'm 60 and also was a total non runner before C25k)

Well done for getting started and good luck, happy running!

[Ancient1 Graduate in reply to Wizziewood]

Not sure I can go any slower than I do now, but I'll try!

[AnnieW55]

It will improve. Good advice from SCB1. Runnings is not just physical - do remember to go slooooow - but also in large part mental (in more ways than one 😀). keep on keeping on and that badge will be yours along with improved fitness, mood, etc, etc. Don't forget to post on here for a pat on the back or a kick up the b*m whichever is needed most at the time.

[Ancient1 Graduate in reply to AnnieW55]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

I'm 67... did C25K and graduated Christmas 2015 Still here, running for pure pleasure, three times a week, and do the odd 10K occasionally too

The tip I am always giving and always banging on about is, just slow and steady and enjoy! It is a journey, not a race. Let your running evolve, follow the programme, take your rest days..and listen to your body Accept there will be difficult days, of course there will, but it is so worth it after the nine weeks!

If you are an outdoor runner as many of us are, there is so much to see on your journey, as you learn the disciplines of the running path I run and I ramble about my runs too... ( more on Bridge to 10K now) but it is great fun The changing seasons and the changing weather, variation in routes as the runs get longer...other exercise on your rest days too... all help to enhance the journey

Keep posting for great advice and endless support..there are some super folk on this path with you!

[Maztink in reply to Oldfloss]

And you are one of the best!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Maztink]

Thank you...

[Ancient1 Graduate]

Thanks for your support. Will try not to be so impatient!

[AnnieW55]

Just remembered about the "toxic 10" too, you can search for it in the search box, where else 😀, sorry - getting silly now. Anyway, many people find the first 10 mins, some of us 20 mins, really hard and then your body decides you mean business and agrees this is all rather a good idea and stops protesting. Your body seems to have pre-empted this and has decided, quote "you cannot be serious" on each week's run 1. You are showing it you are 😀,

[Ancient1 Graduate]

Really helpful to read about this, and realise I am not alone!!! Thank you.

[Plumpinthenorth]

Good luck and well done for starting. I am a recent graduate and can't say I find the running easy but I am sure that will come with more time.

I find the buzz running gives is superb and I feel great afterwards and n miss it on the rest days 😃Keep putting one foot after the last and that should do the trick 👍

[foreverendeavour]

Hello, I'm on week 4 having never been fit in my life. My legs feel like 2 ton weights when I run, I don't understand how people bound along so easily in the way they do! Anyway, my point to you is that it is just 30 minutes out of your day, 3 times a week. Just 30 minutes of grim determination that in return has a huge list of benefits. It's nothing! If it was hours every day that was needed to make such a huge difference to ourselves it would be a different story. ..but it's just 30 minutes. Try telling yourself that, it works for me😊