So set the alarm for 6 this morning and had everything ready to run out of the door and start the programme. I am a 51 year old woman, not in great shape and have never done any running. Love walking but generally at a fairly leisurely pace.
Unfortunately I only managed 3 of the 60 second runs, realised I’d forgotten to take my inhalers and had to come back through lack of breath!!
I really want to do this just to prove to myself that I can. I’ve been encouraged by other posts on here although it’s taken me many weeks before venturing out the door today!
Well, I’ll try again tomorrow ...
Written by
sarah65
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Well done , the biggest and hardest step is the first one out the door , I’m in the same boat as you . I haven’t run properly in 30 years so my W1 Run 1 yesterday was a shock to the system, but what a high I’m on having done it , go girl you can do it . GOOD LUCK!!!!
Definitely a practice run 😊 If you're not managing to recover your breath during the walking sections you can bet you're running far too fast. Slow it right down and slow down some more. You're aiming for a light jog that you can maintain. You did the right thing today though in going back for your inhaler - I never run without mine. Good luck on Thursday.
You did great to get out, that is the hardest step.
Slow down your running, and then slow some more.
Walk at a pace that is brisk but you should not be out of breath at the end of your walks, these are recovery walks remember to get you ready for your next run.
Getting out the door on your first run is a major success!! Well done. So you only did part of the programme - not a problem. You can try again and now you know you can do the first half!!
Thank you so much for your encouraging responses! I can’t believe how good it feels to read them!! It wasn’t until I found this forum that I started thinking that perhaps I could do this running thing too! Looking forward to trying again, taking all the advice on board 😁
When feeling wheezy I use the inhaler before the run this also helps if it's very cold outside. I then tuck it in my bra for the run! This helps with anxiety as have it if I need it but on the whole get round without. I'm 52 never run since being a teenager but am now running 30mins and 5k in 38mins having graduated at Christmas time. Stronger legs to run and stronger lungs (asthma management) has been a terrific gain 💨💨 Stick with it Sarah and post how it's going it's very possible to turn into a bit of a runner 🏃🏼♀️😀 x
Thankfully I've never had the need for inhalers so I have no idea what effect that has, however can't help noticing the "love walking" part. So I'm echoing the wise ones on here that you were probably going too fast. I walk everywhere and I have the added unhelpful trait of being a very fast walker so I *really* had to consciously slow the jogging down for the first fortnight because my brain was telling me that otherwise it wasn't "running"! I think those of us who do walk a lot (at whatever speed) have a tendency to think we should be ramping that pace up waaaaay more than we actually do at the beginning. My guess is it's more about the stamina and teaching your body to be doing things in a different way. My body was certainly NOT ready for it, and I'm pretty sure I was faster on the walking sections so I must have looked so ridiculous!
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Great start to 2021!
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Week 7 not off to a great start 😕 
Started Couch to 5k a year ago, completed the Great North Run yesterday
