Newbie!

[Jax-1]

Hi, newbie to this and running at the age of 53, hoping to get used to this as said yes to doing the Great North run with work colleagues next year!😮 Thought would say hi and ask for any tips!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to your new running family.

Just follow the plan, always take your rest days, go as slow as you need to, repeat any run you don't complete, then move on, smile and enjoy the journey.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Aww ty, think this is just what I need to keep motivated, hoping to do my first run on Saturday, also signed up to that run everyday thing in October

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Jax-1]

I don't know about the run every day thing, but if you are doing C25K then you need to take a rest day between each run, so you can't run every day.

Rest days are when your muscles repair and strengthen, not while running. Please take your rest days.

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Ah right, sounds like a plan, think I may have got over ambitious! Ty for the advice

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I swim once a week and just started Pilates, if I'm running as well do I have to stop these so can have rest days for the muscles?

[Hidden in reply to Jax-1]

Those should be fine. What you need to avoid on rest days is high impact exercise. Walk, swim, pilates, yoga should all be fine.

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, didn't want to overdo it after reading the mentor's response to that run everyday in October challenge!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Jax-1]

No, they are fine and walking is great too I walk for miles on rest days alongside my daily exercise regime..

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Just got back from R1 W1, feeling happy, ty for your help so far 😃

[Hidden]

Hello Jax, and welcome! You're going to love this, seriously. How have you got on so far, have you actually done your first run yet?

For me it's been great to see myself getting less unfit over the month or so I've been doing this, I continually surprise myself!

Top tip: don't rush, it's not a race. Slow and steady will get you through.

I'm sure you can do this, and we'd love to hear how you get on.

All the best,

Neil

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hi Neil

Thank you for those words of encouragement, hoping to do my first run on Saturday when out with the dogs. This will help having people 'alongside me' to keep motivated as always thought I wasn't built for running as get really bad stitch.

Will keep you posted on progress. What keeps you going?

[Hidden in reply to Jax-1]

What keeps me going is the fact that I can see myself getting fitter, I can see a very positive effect on my mental health, I'm actually enjoying exercise for the first time ever... oh, and maybe I'm just a little bit stubborn!

I was really unfit when I started, if I can do it, anyone can.

Oh - for the stitches apparently those may happen due to dehydration and also maybe you're running too fast. C25k is about time, not speed or even distance. If it starts to hurt too much, just slow down till it doesn't, and quickly I think you'll learn what your pace is.

Have fun, and I hope Saturday goes really well for you. You'll tell us all about it won't you?

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. That's good advice and yes I'll let you know, will have to do it now eh!

[Hidden in reply to Jax-1]

Hey I'm by no means an expert or anything, a month or so ago exercise was something other people did lol just sharing what works for me. Good luck, not that you'll need it

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yay just got back from R1 W1! Took dogs, one is a whippet cross so she seemed to enjoy trotting along! Hardest part was trying to get used to having earphones as never use them! Glad I've started, ty to everyone for keeping me right 🙂

[Blitzy Graduate]

Welcome to the over-21s 😉

It is the best programme ever, but you do need to stick to it and all the sound advice, to avoid injury.

I am on Week 4 and I now do the Flex and Strength podcast on rest days, as I was stuck to the couch for over 60 years.....

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to Blitzy]

Ty, it all seems a bit bewildering at the moment but I'm sure will become clearer once I get into it all. Ty

[skysue16 Graduate]

Hello and welcome, you will find everyone here helpful, encouraging and inspiring 😁 The programme is brilliant and as others have said, take your time to complete it (I repeated days/weeks), listen to your body and take it steady - enjoy 😊

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to skysue16]

Thank you, I've tried running in the past and given it up as not enjoyed it so this should help especially now I've got a goal and been watching How to stay young!

[Polly2810 Graduate in reply to Jax-1]

Go for it!! Take it as slow as you can, then even slower, the snails 🐌 are faster than me, but I graduated last week. If you get a stitch you are going too fast. Good luck tomorrow, keep us posted.

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to Polly2810]

Thanks x

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to Jax-1]

One more question! Do I run before or after I've had my breakfast?

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Jax-1]

You can do whatever suits you. If its first thing then you could run without eating first. If you do eat, allow time for the food to digest. I would say small bowl porridge and half banana at least an hour before you run.

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

Hi and welcome! Are you doing the c25k programme? It will lead you nicely into running regularly, starting with 1 minute runs and building up to 30 mins of running in 9 weeks. It is a very good foundation for what can become a life changer. But take it slowly or you risk injury. You sound very motivated - which is brilliant - but the trick is to turn this running thing into a fantastic habit. You have a goal (please don't tell me it's a marathon though!).

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Ty. Well initially it's to strengthen my muscles and eventually I'd like to do the half marathon of Great North Run next September 😀

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate in reply to Jax-1]

A half marathon in a year's time is ambitious, but doable. Just build up slowly to avoid injury. There are loads of us on here in our 50s and older, so you're in good company! Enjoy!

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Hello and welcome!

My tips:

- follow the programme as is

- slow and steady

- enjoy

Here is a link to the podcasts etc in case you havnt found them yet

nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/...

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Hi Jacs

Ty and yes I've found those podcasts so think they will help x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Everything our great mentor IannodaTruffe suggests...

As he says, take your rest days, and listen to your body...there may be aches and pains at first...this is normal....The main thing... slow and steady...this is your journey! And, of course.. enjoy.

Other exercise on rest days is useful, for building up stamina and strength; anything you fancy as long as it is non-impact. Cycling, walking, yoga or swimming.. even a day's hard gardening or housework may help.

Some of us, used these on rest days too..

nhs.uk/livewell/strength-an...

AS @Iannodatruffe says.. never be tempted... whatever the reason, to run every day..that is the way to the IC.... and not a good place to be

Keep posting too please...

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Ty, that's helpful advice and I've saved that link 😀

[ste6422]

I'm a similar age (53 next month) and was new, when I started I thought it'd be impossible to complete but here I am just done R1 W8. My tips would be to trust the programme and have a rest day, I was self conscious and was getting over taken by joggers older than myself but I thought "sod them" they don't know if I've just done 20 miles or 20 yards. Stay positive and watch how fast you progress, good luck

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to ste6422]

Thank you. What's R1?

[ste6422 in reply to Jax-1]

R1 = Run 1

W8 = Week 8

[katdaley91]

Hi! I’m new to this too! What a great goal to have with your friends! ☺️

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to katdaley91]

How are you getting on? What's your goal?

[katdaley91 in reply to Jax-1]

Day one is complete and I’m actually looking forward to day two! My goal is simple..complete the couch to 5k 😄😂 haha

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to katdaley91]

Fab, keep us posted with your progress x

[KimLoulou Graduate]

Ex geordie 55 who visited Newcastle a few weeks ago and also sent a message to a friend about doing GNR. I can only do 7k!

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to KimLoulou]

I've been told at work by someone who did it this year that it takes alsorts, I could walk and run and we've got a year to train, hence putting my name down for it! 😬

[KimLoulou Graduate in reply to Jax-1]

Can you register now?

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to KimLoulou]

Not yet but you can click on a link to get an email notification when the ballot opens. I think I'll aim for a 4 hour time 🙂

[KimLoulou Graduate in reply to Jax-1]

Registered. - eeck!

[Jax-1 Graduate in reply to KimLoulou]

Yay well done! 😀 something for us both to work towards!