Total Newbie

[Adiyaya]

Just started the programme and shamefully couldn’t even run for the minute!

[SuperMouse Graduate]

Don't worry, just have the rest day and then do it again! It will get easier!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You are not the first and you will not be the last to struggle at the beginning of the process, but stick with it and you will be running for thirty minutes in just a few weeks time.

Read the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... for lots of basic advice.

This is a brilliant programme and it will work for you.

Keep us posted with your progress.

[Tbae]

Vulnerability is the most accurate measure of courage.🌟

Takes courage to ask for what you need.🌟

Courage is contagious.🌟

Have you had time to read the FAQ’s.

I would guess you were trying to run too quickly.🤔🙈

This is a slow and steady programme.

Slow enough to let you get the extra oxygen you require to run.🤔

Slow enough to keep your footfall below your hips to kiss the ground and protect all your un strengthened joints and keep you from injuring yourself until, run by run you will strengthen them , with at least one madantory repair non impact day between your runs.

More if you need it.🤔It is your unique programme.🤔

This forum will help you and you will surely achieve this .

Believe that and believe in you.

You are courageous. 🌟👏👏💫🏃‍♀️

[Gillma Graduate in reply to Tbae]

Hear, hear!!!

[Thriftyvickie Graduate]

Maybe try running slower. If you find it hard to pace may be worth running on a treadmill so you can set the pace. Also do you generally have issues with fitness?

I tried running last 3 years ago when I’d broken 2 of my fingers & couldn’t do my regular classes. At that point I was frequently out of breath & I just thought I was really really unfit & gave up. It wasn’t until later that year I ended up at the hospital on a nebuliser that I realised that it wasn’t that I was incredibly unfit, my (what I had thought was very mild so not even worth thinking about) asthma was out of control. A few months on the right meds & I realised I could get through a workout without getting massively out of breath. So I’m now giving running another go.

If you have any health issues it might be worth a trip to the gp to get checked out.

[sigasiga Graduate]

It's not shameful and you will be able to if you keep trying. As everyone else says, take it slowly and you will get there. It's a brilliant programme and will work for you. Good luck.

[Eatcakeandrun]

Don't be ashamed! There's nothing to be ashamed about! Keep going - slowly- and you really will get there, and probably sooner than you could possibly imagine right now.

Congratulations for getting started!

[AliK0871 Graduate]

Adiyaya...if you think you are running slow my advise run even slower!!!! This has helped me I know I probably look ridiculous as a snail could go faster but I’m now on wk3 and still hear to tell the tale x

[Hidden]

No shame in this at all - I remember clearly thinking 'one minute how hard could that be?' and found out exactly how hard it can be. Every effort has to start somewhere and now you have a valuable bit of running experience under your belt. Even very experienced marathon runners get told to slow down their early pace and it’s quite possible with the adrenaline flowing that you set off a bit too quick. Once you’ve done that (especially as a newbie) it’s more or less impossible to pull it back.

So take your time, really really slow it down and next time out you’ll be fine.

Good luck and happy running next time out

[Clarafats]

I totally failed the first time I ran w1r1! However, next time I did it, I ran the whole thing, and had a huge sense of achievement, which I wouldn't have got if I'd found it easy the first time!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Take the advice of IannodaTruffe ... so, so many folk started out as you have.... slow and steady, you will do this... and.... we are right here to run beside you

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

No shame, only gain! On my first run of W1 I was gasping at 20seconds in- I'm now on week 5 and still struggle with my breathing for the first run. The programme is a process and you will soon recognise your improvements. If you do one thing, just don't give up on this! You can do this! X