Looking for Inspiration!

[Saffa71]

I am a slightly overweight bloke at 46. I have decided to try running to get fitter and to lose the extra pounds I have put on recently. Today will be my final run CT5K week 1! I have found week 1 ok although hoping the aches and pains start to get easier!!! 🙂

[Hellcat80]

Welcome! I finished C25k in October and am now running for 30 mins 3 x per week. It’s definitely made me fitter and I’ve loved it but just to manage your expectations - it’s hard.

It’s hard to keep going at times when all you want to do is stop and it’s hard to go out some times in the wind/rain/cold.

The upside is that it’s so, so worth it. There is no feeling like managing to get through the run you thought you couldn’t do. Even achy legs at the end of a run feel great. You’ll battle with yourself for every step of some runs but afterwards you’ll feel amazing.

You’re at the start of an amazing journey.

[Saffa71 in reply to Hellcat80]

Thanks Hellcat80! I’ve always been fairly fit as have done cycling and swimming in the past however running has always been a struggle as I would start out but have struggled with calf strains and pain below the calf area and have not enjoyed it! I think where I did go wrong in past though was I would literally go out and run 5k’s and I am hoping with CT5K with building up to the distance I will be able to persist!

[Hidden]

Good job Saffa. Yes this programme changes lives. It can be a challenge at times but this makes the achievements more precious in the end. Take it nice and slow. You will notice your fitness improving very soon and this should re-inforce the progress that you are making. Enjoy

[Saffa71 in reply to Hidden]

Cheers helenwheels.

[ChunkyButt85]

Morning saffa

I was going to join the army once upon a time and was in relatively good shape and not overweight (at the time) and my first attempt at running got me only a quarter of a mile.... I ate good foods and continued on and never stopped moving even if I needed to stop running and within a couple of months I was doing 6 mile runs and planning them. My leg muscles developed too and made the runs easier. I'm certain that with the right mindset and never letting your mind talk you out of it that you will see results and a new you. You really can do it if you want to

[Saffa71 in reply to ChunkyButt85]

Thanks Chunky!

[AnnieW55]

Like you I tried many times to run and failed until I found this programme just over 5 years ago and have never looked back.

Advice?

Do the runs at a slooooow pace, there is no need to go hell for leather (or an approximation of it 😀). You will at some point think "I can walk faster than this" that is good.

Take your rest days. It is easy to think I can do another run today but don't. Running legs take time to build. Muscles, bones and ligaments take time to adjust to running especially the last two.

Stretch out after you have run to ease those aches, while your muscles are still warm.

You may not lose much weight doing the programme but you will see a change in body shape. Weight loss tends to come later when you are doing longer, steady runs as that is when the fat burning really kicks in.

You will not/should not need more food to complete c25k and if you snack, make sure it's a proper one and not "full" of empty calories🙃. Carb loading definitely not required.

Take your measurements even neck and knees as they will most likely change and give you some encouragement even if your weight stays the same.

Come here to report your highs and lows (there will be some) and you will get the advice, encouragement, praise, kick up the a**se you are looking for.

Here endeth the lesson 😄. Well you did ask!

[Saffa71 in reply to AnnieW55]

Cheers Annie! 😊

[Shelby1973 Graduate]

Hiya 😀 it does get easier despite the runs getting longer . Honestly have faith in the program and in just 9 weeks ull be running 30 mins with ease x

[Saffa71 in reply to Shelby1973]

Thanks Shelby! 👍

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

At 46 you have many, many years of running ahead.

trying to go out and run 5ks from the outset is definitely not the way to go. I posted this a few days ago to explain the rationale behind the slow and steady approach of C25k healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

It might help.

Keep us posted.

[Saffa71 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Great post and thanks so much for the advice! I’m just to head out for last run of W1 and will take it easy as you say! Will keep you posted on how I get on

[Chairmanoftheboards Graduate]

Great start Saffa71 , well done . Like u i am 46 , well over weight but since i started eating better 9 weeks ago I’m now down 23 lbs , and im just heading out the door to complete wk3 - like others have already stated it really is amazing how quickly the fitness levels increase. Best of luck ( i find it alot easier running on grass )

[ju-ju- Graduate]

That was one of the reasons I started, 4 years down the line and still going.... I really do recommend it, and you won't regret it, and nor will your body 😎