I am starting the NHS health plan and have restarted doing active activity such as rejoining the gym and starting yoga again. Running is something I have not done for 7 years!! When I did do it I LOVED it but my life has changed drastically since then and so it is all rather daunting to me right now. I am planning on using the C25k plan to help me. I live with anxiety so this is a huge step for me. I have planned where and when but I will also look for a running buddy as that may make me feel safer. Any tips anyone?
Thankyou in advance x
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LouA2016
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So Lou, well done you on joining the best running club in the world. Here we support each other through thick and thin. So when you have something you want to share, post on here and you'll get lots of help and advice. We have two site mentors Oldfloss and IannodaTruffe whenever you see them post or comment, take some time to read what they say and you won't go wrong with the plan.
What I would say on running partners is that a lot of us prefer to run alone because then you are not under any pressure trying to either keep up or slow down to match the partner. And that funnily enough includes dogs too.
Whether outside or indoors on a treadmill the programme is designed to work and take you methodically to 30 minutes of straight running. BTW don't get hung up on the 9 weeks title, there are many of us on here who have taken longer. A lot of us also have the 'find friend' capability on phones switched on for tracking purposes, if we are out. But as ever only run where you feel safe.
I do hope you enjoy your running and that the programme and forum help you as much as they've helped me and many many more people.
Thankyou so much for taking the time to message me. I really need to weigh up my pro and con for a running bud...
In the last I preferredto run outdoors opposed to the tree, something about the outdoors and fresh air gives me the sense of freedom which I find I end up craving.
True enough Lou, nature is a wonderful cure all. I am sure whichever route you take and whether with a running bud or not, that you will rediscover a love. I did and so did many others here. Very best wishes to you
Just wanted to say hi and well done for reaching out to the forum. Think of us as your virtual running buddies 😊 running is so good for improving mental health and I am sure that once you get started you will feel so many benefits. Keep posting on here and you will get all the support you need to get out of that door and running for yourself.
Thankyou 🤗 although I am nervous I am also really excited to get started.
Hi well done on starting. I also suffer with Anxiety issues and going out the door alone for a run terrified me.... as well as feeling old n unfit I lacked the confidence to even lift my body off the ground into a jogging motion but sheer determination n the willingness to want to try got me out the door. I stuck to the main road always during the time of day where there was plenty of people about n passing cars.... (this ensured me that if I collapsed someone would see me and help me) but guess what nothing happened to me ...the music filled my head and kept the gremlins at bay and Jo Whiley kept me on track ..,, it really is mind over matter ... I just walked/ran round the block staying as close to home as I could until I felt comfy heading out down different roads ...the bell rings n hey presto It's halfway done and homeward bound before you know it! Admittedly I've repeated several runs until I was comfy to move on so it's gonna take me longer to reach the goal post but hey I'm off the couch and out the door...,,,You got this if I can do it you can too.... turn the music up n enjoy...I've just completed W3R3 at the beach away from home (Was Beautiful scenery) I struggled n went at a snails pace but hey i got out the door and kept going I did it for myself by myself with the helpful n supportive post in my head from everyone on here x good luck x my thoughts are with you x stay strong x u got this x
What a fabulous reply! Thankyou so much for all your inspiration and encouragement. You have done so fantastically well congratulations. I know how hard it is to get the foot out the door when anxiety supplies you with so many reasons why you shouldn't. One of my local parks has a running track which weaves it way around the park and I am planning on using that, road running is something I'm not ready for yet as the cars and traffic trigger my anxiety despite wearing headphones. I've began downloading my favourite running tunes and even that has spurred me on x
The programme is excellent. Many of us have completed it having never run distances before. Follow it, trust it, and you will be back up to running in no time. The benefits of which you are already familiar with.
Take it a step at a time. Run at a time/ place you feel safe, and make sure someone know where you are.
You will get plenty of support on here from C25k graduates through to those currently sharing your journey. I suspect as a former runner, you will have invaluable insights to share with the rest of us too - you've got this!
Thankyou, I think for the safety aspect i will let someone know where I am and when, and I've downloaded a 'track me' app on to my phone so my family can track me 🙈 may live to regret that though 😂
I joined a group organised by volunteers from a local athletics club who run C25K several times through the year, the numbers certainly in the early weeks are huge. You meet all sorts of people, all ages, all sizes but all with the same goal and I found running with that group a great help. I'm a fat old chap and It would never have ventured out running on my own. Also we have set times and days meeting Tuesday and Thursday evening and Saturday mornings so it's not so easy to oh I'll leave until tomorrow. For me it's a great way to do it.
A running group sounds great! I think there is one in my area as I'm sure I have seen one whilst walking my dogs! Im going to ask around. Thankyou so much for your encouragement 😀
Good luck. I suffer from anxiety and low moods too. The running has really helped me. It gives me something positive to focus on - found it tough at first but on my 6th week and determined to do this. Sometimes my mind does wander. Personally I feel music helps keep me going - I just think 'ok I have to run for 3/5/8 mins etc' - that's length of a song or two so I can do it.
Hahaha that's exactly what I used to do when I started running all those years ago (I so wish I had never stopped!) I used to focus on the length of the time track and before I knew it is completed my run without even thinking about the actual running 😂 I do it now when on the gym too 🙈
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