I'm new 😊: more of a thinker than doer 🙈

[Onewomanscrusade]

Hello all. I signed up some weeks ago ready to start running. Then I read about it for a while. Then I thought about it for a bit longer. And then I read some more posts. And I'm still thinking about it!! Although I really want to improve my health i'm struggling to actually get moving 🙈. Do I need special trainers? There seem to be so many to choose from! And am I supposed to stretch before and after running to avoid injury? I'm planning on joining a running course after xmas but fear I'll be so slow I won't go back! If you have some words of running wisdom I'd so appreciate what you have to say. Thanks 😊

[mrrun Graduate]

Yeah. You need good shoes which you can get from a place that does gait analysis. That will save you from potential discomfort and injuries and it doesn't have to be expensive. Don't just do what l did, walk in and ask for cheap black shoes that will match the rest of your gear.

As for the waiting and being indecisive? Well, it's simpler than anything. You wanna run, you do it - you don't want to run, you don't do it. No third option.

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Thanks mrrun. You've nailed my indecisiveness. But now I've decided, and I'm going start then plan 😊

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi Onewomanscrusade,

you have been thinking and reading but now you have posted...you sound like you are keen and ready to start the c25k program😊

You just need some trainers to start and as I'm assuming you are a lady a sports bra is a good idea. You need loose comfy clothing (warm layers if you plan on running outside) and either the couch to 5k podcasts or the app on your mp3/phone with some headphones.

Then you can start....

Find somewhere suitable to do the first session which is about 20 minutes total including warm up and warm down walks, like a flattish park or a safe route near home and listen to the instructions from your coach and off you go. Nice and steady, a gentle jog. If you use the podcasts they have music included, if you use the app you can play your own music and the coach will interrupt with instructions.

Once you get to about Week 4 ( or in the January sales) you may decide you want proper running shoes and to have your gait analysed as by then you will be running longer * yes you*😊xx

The program works and will give you a real boost as your fitness improves.

Let us know when you start by posting on here, plenty of encouragement and advice available....

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan-now-runs. I've decided to go running around a local lake with my daughter. Will download the app today 😊

[Chairmanoftheboards Graduate]

Hi Onewomancrusade , I totally understand your indecisiveness but can i just reassure you by saying that i started this amazing programme 5 weeks ago , massively overweight , hadn’t exercised in years and could just about manage the 60 sec jog in week 1 , and on Friday last, as part of the programme i ran for 20 mins and it felt fantastic. So don’t be worried about being slow , take your time - there’s no magic wand but if you follow the programme it will work - very best of luck

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to Chairmanoftheboards]

That so motivating Chairmanoftheboards! Well done! Hopefully I will be able to post such an achievement soon 😊

[Chairmanoftheboards Graduate in reply to Onewomanscrusade]

You will be amazed at how quickly your fitness levels improve , you will have times at the beginning when you think you can’t do it - WRONG , you really can , if you need to , go slower ( as slow as you like - that’s still way faster than sitting on the couch ) one piece of advice that i would offer , if it’s possible try running on grass , it’s so much on knees , ankles etc , best of luck 👍

[pinkaardvark Graduate]

Starting is easy, just put one foot out the door and repeat. As to enjoying the thinking about it.. running is a great place to spend time thinking, soon you'll be able to do loads of it

Seriously though, starting is as easy as going for a 5 minute walk, sure you have to walk a bit faster a few times on wk1 but it's only for 60 seconds so most of it is walking, and it starts with walking which i reckon you already have mastered

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to pinkaardvark]

Lol yes I'm ok with walking 😂. Running next! Thanks pinkaardvark 😊

[davelinks Graduate]

You just need a pair of comfy lightweight shoes for the first week or so and see how you go, then step upto a pair of running shoes with good support that suits your gait, they don't have to cost loads of money.

As for thinking, try not to overthink the runs, just do them..

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Thanks davelinks. I'm just going to get out and get started! 😊

[Essandem in reply to Onewomanscrusade]

I'm about to start week 6 and my body is beginning to change shape - waist has reappeared and bum tighter. Just a thought to get you going!

[Jan-52 Graduate]

Thinking is good, call it planning .....you want to get it right and do it the right way that's awesome. You can't fail, there is no fail...There is just you planning and feeling you want to do something that will improve your health. You feel you want to challenge yourself, and that's awesome. Then like everyone here as said just get out there, one foot in front of the other. It is a bit like learning to drive. Follow the directions on the C25K it will take you through step by step, then pretty soon you will feel the great buzz. And you will also start to learn what needs to be adjusted and what works well for you. Best of all, you will feel such a great sense of achievement.

You will see on here how so many people different ages, shapes and sizes have struggled but have also gone on to succeed. Keep posting here and let us know how you are getting on. There is so much great support here. !

Hey and why not start before Christmas ??

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to Jan-52]

Jan-52 I'll remind myself about 'planning' when I'm busy thinking next time lol. And I love your learning to drive analogy! Really makes sense. Thanks 😊

[MickGJ Graduate]

I had the app on my phone for six months before I did anything about it. Just dip your toe in the water, it's not like you're signing up for a gym contract.

[Limawhite Graduate in reply to MickGJ]

LOL - I downloaded, then deleted and redownloaded it three times over a two year period before taking the plunge! Kept thinking I was too old and unfit to run.

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to MickGJ]

I did that with the pod casts lol. Going to use them this time tho! Thanks 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Welcome.. and the first tip is.. STAY HERE!

Loads of support, loads of sound advice, and the odd shove if needed! The replies from mrrun and Bluebirdrunner have given great advice already...

Download the programme

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

Then steady and slow Listen to your body, take your rest days and keep posting here...!

" Do or do not, there is no try!"

Go on... you can do this

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Definitely staying here oldfloss! What a fab group 😊

[LookNannyruns Graduate]

The thinking is the worst part, it allows the you can’t do it gremlins to take hold. Just go out for a walk and find yourself ‘accidentally giving it a go’ . Honestly , along with many others on here I didn’t ever ever ever think I would post on here as a graduate.

It helped me to tell one or two trusted people that I was doing it, once I’d done that I felt duty bound to have a running story each time they asked me how I was getting on. I made people laugh and didn’t take myself seriously.

Go on give it try ASAP ...... this forum is the most supportive group I’ve ever known

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to LookNannyruns]

It's a good idea for me to have someone to check in to laurel55. Have told my husband and will tell a few others. And of course you all know too now lol 😊. Thanks

[Millsie-J Graduate]

You can do this! Planning session over, now just go out and run. Slow and steady.

Come back and tell us how it went, we will be waiting 🏃🏻‍♀️

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

I'll be back Millie-j! 😊

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to Onewomanscrusade]

Sorry Millsie-j. Autocorrect 🙄

[Theziggy Graduate]

Do your thinking whilst you do Week 1 - Run 1, maybe set yourself a starting date - Jan 1st would be ideal.

Just remember that everyone in this forum are here if you need any advice, motivation etc. Download the app or the podcasts and just try it.

You can and will do it, good luck.

Procrastination is just too long a word for Countdown and Scrabble

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to Theziggy]

I'm starting to work round my procrastination theziggy! Running is one part. Thanks 😊

[Ruthy180 Graduate]

Please do get proper shoes! I ran in my trainers to start and was in agony with my knees after 2 runs. If your body isn't used to running it may well rebel if you go out in shoes that don't have enough padding to help absorb the impact. I was a novice runner and I have also found wireless headphones a wonderful thing as you don't have your wire getting in the way. And also a phone holder for your arm is good. If you've not run before stretching your knees (google for stretches) can help prevent pain, but do it every day, not just when you are going to run. Hope you get started soon.

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to Ruthy180]

I am a bit concerned about my knees actually ruthy180. Step aerobics in the 90's did me no good 🙄. Will also be asking Santa for a mobile phone holder for my arm. Thanks 😊

[Ruthy180 Graduate in reply to Onewomanscrusade]

If you have problems with your knees then def get good shoes. Also I had to re-start the programme as mine were really painful to start and I had to rest up for 2 weeks. So I actually started really slowly when I re-started. Instead of running 60 secs I did 30. Then built up from there. It meant I took about 2 weeks to get through week 1 but my knees don't hurt at all now!

[davesmith Graduate]

Hi. As usual, the replies already here contain great advice, so I will just add my own personal experience. I started some months ago from a position of having done no sports or exercise for more years than I care to remember. When I turned 65 I decided it was time get a bit fitter and running seemed to fit the bill. I started out with ordinary trainers I used for walking and a pair of shorts and T-shirt from my wardrobe (i.e. no special gear)

As you go along, the temptation will be to start buying 'proper' running gear which is fine, and after a while you will need a proper pair of running shoes.

I have never done any stretching exercises so far, just the 5 minute warm-up and warm-down walks, which are part of the podcast/app.

I too was nervous when starting, but the program is absolutely spot-on. Don't be afraid to repeat any of the runs if you can't quite make it, just do the program at your own pace and you can repeat whole weeks if you want to. It doesn't matter how slowly you run, the aim is to just keep running until told to stop. You will definitely need earphones so you can properly hear the instructions and helpful encouraging commentary as you go.

Good luck, just give it a go, and before you know it you will become a fellow runner!

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to davesmith]

Thanks davesmith. I need encouragement at the moment but I'm feeling really positive. I'll be back with updates 😊

[Shelby1973 Graduate]

Aww just go for it and I promise u won’t regret it . Slow doesn’t matter I’ll soon build up stamina and honestly Ull be waiting on ur next run day . Good luck x

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to Shelby1973]

Slow is highly likely shelby1973! Not for too long tho I hope. Thanks 😊

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

The first step out the door is the hardest. You ask a lot of people on here and that took the longest descison to make. I procrastinated for ages before that first step but then I found an event I really wanted to take part in, so that was the final push for me. Personally I would go out on my own before joining a running club just so I had an idea what sort of pace was good for me, at least if you have done that before you go to your new running group you will know where in the pack you fit in. If I were you I would use the first couple of weeks of the podcast to get out the door and get me ready for my new running club in the new year, that way you have a ready made goal and you never know you might just be enjoying running on your own you might just stick with that and join the running club after you have graduated.

[misswobble Graduate]

Some fab advice there. Those replies really made me smile as they contain the essence of what the programme is all about, and the enthusiasm of c25kers is writ large in those posts 😃

I hope you’ve started, and having done so, I hope you never stop 🙂

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble. My first run will be tomorrow. I'll post how I got on 😊

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Onewomanscrusade]

We will be looking for the post. 😉

Go girl .

[nhs2015 Graduate]

1) Get your gear organised the day before, meaning what you intend to wear.

2) With shoes get a pair slightly bigger to make sure your toes can wriggle. I use my running shoes as my everyday walking shoes anyway as they are comfortable. I have a few pairs and buy them when they are on sale.

3) tell some of your friends what you intend to do, then you don’t want to lose face so you will just have to do it.

4) Go for a walk, then decide “from this tree to that tree I will try to jog”, and as they say, one foot in front of the other......

5) two days later, take Laura with you and do week 1. It is magic. You and your friends will be amazed you can do it. You will be as proud as punch!

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to nhs2015]

Thanks nhs2015. I'll put all I need ready tonight then head out after work tomorrow. Whilst I am feeling motivated, the road of least resistance is the best was to go. 😊

[Bra_1977 Graduate]

I think the thinking about it is worse than doing it, i often feel like you can come up with every excuse not to go. Running it a very mental thing, even after you get used to running it is still very mental and often mind over matter. I would deffo do the couch to 5 k programme, i am restarting it soon (this is not me thinking about it i recently had surgery and i am not allowed to run yet) bite the bullet bet some good music on your headphones and just get out there, you will feel great just for going, and it doesnt mattwr how fast or slow you go, you are going faster than anyone else sat on the settee watching tv. X

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate in reply to Bra_1977]

Hopefully you'll be up and running soon bra_1977 😊. However, it goes, it will always better than nothing. Thanks

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate]

Wow! What an amazing bunch of people to take the time to reply and offer advice 😊. I'll admit that I probably wouldn't have posted yesterday if I hadn't have had a few whiskey and cokes first 😉. But now I'm so glad I did. So many good tips (I've actually written them down to remind me). I'm going to think positive and join the runners 👍. Thanks again.

[misswobble Graduate]

Have fun! If smile on your face and giggle with excitement when told you can start 🏃‍♀️👍