Newbie Runner

[Susieq174]

I've never run before but went on my first run with couch to 5k yesterday. After having children I've not exercised in 5 years so this is a big thing for me. I'm hoping I can manage to stick to it 😊

[GingerBohemian Graduate]

Follow the program.

Take your rest days.

Replace the word 'run' with 'slow steady pace jog'

Come in often and let us know how you are getting on.

Enjoy the journey!

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to GingerBohemian]

Thanks 😊 I definitely think I'll have to learn to jog and not run. I've very sore legs today! Thanks for the encouragement

[RunstopJog]

Just completed my wk1 3rd run yesterday, was alot easier than 1st one, must say my face was really red unlike your refreshed look! Lol. Good luck

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to RunstopJog]

Oh I hope my runs get easier too! I didn't realise how long 60 seconds could be 😊

[RunstopJog in reply to Susieq174]

I found 3rd run alot easier than 1st and 2nd with no aching bits following morning! Start wk2 tomorrow not look forward to that one bit.... 😲

[Hidden]

Hello and welcome to the family! I personally find this forum is great for advice and encouragement, and the occasional kick up the butt

You are in good company, I think the vast majority of us are here because we have done little or no exercise, me included. So no-one will judge you here, just try to help and encourage.

So how did you get on with your first run? I remember mine quite clearly, and thinking during that first minute "what the heck have I signed up for??? Make it stop!". But you've done run 1 and that's a massive achievement. Week 1 is the hardest I reckon for 2 reasons:

Firstly, you will no doubt be unfit, or very unfit in my case. Starting to exercise from nothing will make parts of your body scream that you didn't even know you had!!

Secondly, the mental challenge. Actually getting up off your butt and doing it, rather than thinking about it and doing it "tomorrow".

You've done both these things, so trust me, you are doing great. Personally I've made it to week 7 and can now run for 25 minutes non-stop, and if I can do that, being as unfit as I was, then I'm sure you can too, in fact you'll probably find it much easier!!

Well done for starting the program, just keep us updated

All the best, Neil

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the words of encouragement! It's nice to hear from others that are as unfit as me. This is my first time on a forum too so I apologise if I get any etiquette wrong. I found this site when googling why my legs hurt so much! I'm guessing I need to slow down. Well done for getting to week 7 I hope I get that far!

[Hidden in reply to Susieq174]

Thanks Susie!

The good news is I'm not quite as unfit as I used to be

Etiquette? It's common sense I reckon. Just treat others as you would wish to be treated, that's what I go by.

Week 7 is fun, but becoming a bit drawn out as I've been struggling from a bit of knee pain. Hopefully I'll manage another run soon. But it's the knee holding me back, not the fitness, and that's the great thing about Couch to 5K. Your fitness improves over the weeks, and you get such a kick out of watching yourself get better.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You won't regret it.

Do as the GingerBohemian says and you won't go far wrong and will be running for thirty minutes in just a few weeks.

Welcome to your new support network.

Enjoy the journey.

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks! I think I'm already enjoying it but I've only got one run under my belt. Run two tomorrow so we will see how it goes 😊

[lardofale Graduate]

All of the above! Welcome aboard and well done on setting off on the adventure, you won't regret it!

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to lardofale]

Thanks 😊 I'm hoping I enjoy this process. Aerobic exercise isn't really my thing but this seems different somehow!

[antet Graduate]

That’s brilliant and I too hadn’t exercised for 5 years since having my son so know where you’re coming from. I’d had failed attempts to do C25K but really thanks in large part to this forum and reading similar and inspiring posts made it to the end in September. I still find it hard to fit in runs with a little one and a full on full time job but part of what keeps me trying is reading and participating in conversations here. Keep letting us know how you’re getting on and if you have any tips on how to squeeze runs into a crazy life let me know! 😀

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to antet]

Wow you've managed to finish it. I'm hoping I can get to the end! My legs hurt today but think I've been going too fast so will try and slow down on tomorrow's run. I can see how encouraging it is being on this forum as I'm already feeling more motivated from hearing off everyone. Let me know what comes next after C25K. I haven't got any tips yet on fitting it in as so far I'm planning my runs on my days off. The real test will be when I have to do one after work and after the bedtime routine! 😊

[misswobble Graduate]

Well done for making a start. Your children will learn good habits from mum so keep up the good work. You will be fit enough to keep up with them by the time you graduate 🙂

good luck! GO SLOWLY 🏃‍♀️

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to misswobble]

I hope I'll be able to keep up with them! Having to run with my son on the way to gymnastics and realising how unfit I was helped me make the decision to start. Thanks for replying and the encouragement 😊

[rosemel64]

Well done. I started yesterday. It was hard but felt quite good after it. Keep it up.

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to rosemel64]

We've started at the same time then 😊 Those 60 second runs felt so long! My legs are hurting today which just shows how unfit I am. How have you felt?

[rosemel64 in reply to Susieq174]

Hi. Hurting today. Feel as though I want to run tonight, but thought best not to. Will do tomorrow night. I am really unfit. The 60 seconds seem like a lifetime. God for you though

[rosemel64 in reply to rosemel64]

*good

[Wannabefit19 Graduate]

I echo all of the above ... it is a brilliant program and every one of us have been nervously at week 1 ... trust in the program it absolutely works .... this running family are the most supportive , inspiring , kind , knowledgable , experience sharing bunch of people ... check in daily even if you don't post ... I have had days I didn't fancy it then read a few posts and straight out there 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Slow and steady is great advise

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to Wannabefit19]

Thanks for that 😊 I'm a rule follower so will try and do exactly what the programme says! I'm really enjoying reading some of the posts on here already so will definitely keep checking in 😊

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

Welcome newbie. This was me a few weeks ago and tonight I ran for 28 mins Week 8, run 1. Take it slow and steady and have rest days and enjoy the programme 🏃‍♀️

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

Thankyou 😊 Wow week 8 seems a long way away. Can't imagine running for 28 min. Will hopefully follow in your footsteps!

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate in reply to Susieq174]

If I can do it at 56 anyone can 😜

[linda9389 Graduate in reply to Susieq174]

That's one of the great things about this program - following rules which make you achieve things you never thought possible over and over again. You only have to believe in the unbelievable But seriously, if you read the posts on here you will find lots of supportive folk who will all insist the plan really works. You've done the hardest part. Enjoy the rest

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to linda9389]

I must admit it has helped lots hearing from people and reading people's stories. The second run wasn't anywhere near as bad! 😊

[linda9389 Graduate in reply to Susieq174]

Brilliant. Well done! Enjoy.

[Whatsapp Graduate]

As has been said 'Jog' rather than 'run'. When you are doing these early runs it is about building stamina to allow you to sustain a running pace for 30 mins. Think about how you would set off if you were doing a long distance run - nice and slow. Speed will come with time, for now, it is about stamina.

I would also add to make sure you keep well hydrated by drinking plenty of water 2-4 litres a day.

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to Whatsapp]

I think that going slow is the one message that I have definitely listened too. Did my second run and just kept reminding myself to go slo. This run seemed a lot easier! 😊

[Mikemelly]

Well done you 👍 it will be harder at the start but I found gets easier.

I have one run left so at opposite to you but have been exactly where you are!!

Just stick to the program, the only issues I had was when I didn’t follow exactly.

Good luck 👍👍👍

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to Mikemelly]

Thanks for that 😊 It's encouraging to hear from people who are nearly finished. Presently it seems possible that I might be able to stick to it and finish it!

[25kdown]

woohoo welcome, enjoy the me time, as everyone says, slow like a snail wins the week.

[Susieq174 Graduate in reply to 25kdown]

Weirdly I'm really enjoying the me time which wasn't why I was doing this but it's been great so far. My second run was done slower than a snail so it was lots easier! 😊