Absolute beginners advice

[G4run]

As a middle aged mum who has not ran since leaving school I have just completed W1R2 and am ridiculously proud. Having spent a long time saying I absolutely can't run I am determined to prove myself wrong 😀 only problem is I'm running around where I live using quiet roads so as to avoid the embarrassment of looking exhausted after only running for 60 seconds!! and this involves uphill sections. Am I going to injure myself this way? Would I be better driving to a local park to run in the flat?? Any advice welcome. Thanks

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Welcome to this great forum and well done too!

Hills are good for us runners..but...at this stage may be a step too far...

If you take it very steadily and slowly, then you should be fine...

Flat is good... very pleasant, but many of us have inclines s, somewhere or other on our runs... I wrote a post once, saying that I thought my lanes actually rose upwards when they saw me coming

If you wish to drive to your park that would be fine too. The option of just heading out of your door with your running shoes on is an easier one though

Could you work a route where your starting point of uphill is your walk... so the hills come later in the run? it is a matter sometimes of jiggling a route.

Each run makes you stronger and the hills may be less of an issue.

Keep posting and let us know how Run 3 goes!

PS

Don't feel embarrassed... you are out there and rocking it

[G4run in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you for replying and the advice, took me a while to pluck up the courage to post. Feel a bit daft but am determined to do this. The main roads are flatter - just need to build up confidence to walk/jog on them. Can't ever imagine getting to the final week but am trying to focus on each run as it comes. Thanks again!! 👍

[SC1472 Graduate]

Some people would say avoid the hills as it will make it easier for you, but if you continue with the hills it won't risk injury so long as you take them slow and steady. It should build you up and give you more stamina. Remember that if you run up then in general you are rewarded with a run down again!

[Hidden]

Hey G4 well done on getting out there first of all and facing off embarrassment. There are two schools of thought, one that you should build up your stamina and kms before tackling uphill. The second is that provided you take it carefully the hill sections help build your stamina. For me I took the second route because I live at the top of a hill - the warm up walk is always downhill and I have to run uphill thereafter. I think the big thing if you do what I did is to really really really take it slowly. Channel your inner Oldfloss one of our site mentors. She always advocates going at a bare jog speed because that gets you the time done. The main thing is you know your body so any hint of pain, then don't do it. Aches are manageable and expected when you are new to running. Pain never is. Whichever option you take I hope you do enjoy your running

[G4run in reply to Hidden]

Thanks janecanrun and SC1472, I was basically running on the spot when I did one of the uphill sections, but I did it. I am worried that if I make it harder to go out and run (like driving somewhere) I'll end up giving in and giving up. I've committed to this now so onwards and probably upwards 😁 Thanks for replying

[Hidden in reply to G4run]

Your reason is exactly the same as mine - if I have to get dressed properly and get in the car and drive somewhere, and and and. The excuses pile up and then I go nowhere...

[froggyrunner Graduate]

Hello! I'm 49, have never run and never been fit! The first weeks always felt like a near death experience for me 😂 60 seconds running (or very slow jogging) felt really long and 90 seconds walking felt really short! I had decided to stick it to week three and re-evaluate. Week three I bought new trainers (mine were about 30 years old and nearly new as I never used them). I then decided I was going to have to finish the programme because I'd spent so much money on trainers! I drive to a park where it is almost flat. I felt like I needed to get as much on my side as possible or I'd probably die.. well you know what? I've gone and completed the programme. This morning my first run that I didn't 'have' to do. It was bordering on enjoyable 😎 good luck, believe in the programme you future runner. Keep us posted

[G4run in reply to froggyrunner]

You at the start is where I am now and I will be amazed if I ever get to the point of enjoying running - what a dream!! I live with a husband and two daughters who run with ease and have always tried to encourage me but I've never felt I could do it. I downloaded the app couch25k app a long time ago but something has just made me decide to stop making excuses and at least try. Congratulations to you for your achievements, very inspiring. Thanks for replying 👍

[froggyrunner Graduate in reply to G4run]

My husband does ironman etc. My kids are super sporty too. He came with me once in week two and was so enthusiastic, encouraging etc that he actually annoyed the pants off of me. He did on the spot jogging trying to go as slow as me 😂 cant fault him, but I realised I wanted to go it alone. I'd be fibbing if I said I enjoyed running (more of a shuffle actually ) but I don't hate it anymore and live in hope of loving it. I'll be sure to post here when that happens 😂😂😂

[SC1472 Graduate in reply to G4run]

I'm almost exactly the same...49 next week, Ironman husband and my 17 year old did his first half-iron earlier this year! I don't run with them as they are too fast for me! I started all this in March and my route took me up hills (and down)..today I ran for 6.75k up a 3/4 mile hill (and down) which was my nemesis at the start. Like Hidden I don't think I would have done this if I had to drive somewhere to start with.

[AnnieW55]

I started the programme a few years ago and living where I do, towards the top of a valley, I didn't/don't have any flat runs, I'm either going up hill or down dale 😀.

I'm not one to drive somewhere to run when I only have to step out of the door. As long as you are slow and steady and take small steps when going up hill you dhould be fine. Keeping it slow and steady plays a big part in staying off the injury couch.

[bareliz]

I think only you can decide what suits best. I do drive to where I run. I live in a notoriously hilly city and being extremely unfit knew the hills would finish me off! I run through a woodland park which isn't flat but undulating and I love it. No car fumes and beautiful scenery. It is a bit of a faff driving out, (especially as I share the car with Mr BL), but worth it.

My plan is to switch to running from outside my door after graduation, still having the odd run or 2 back in the park.

Whichever you chose, good luck - you're doing really well.