First night tonight at C25K

[Starpumpkin]

Hi folks, I'm Shelley and I am starting running tonight at my local leisure centre but a bit worried about running in front of others as I was rubbish at running in school lol, going to just get out there and do it!!! Just wanting to improve my health and fitness levels. Any advice would be great!!!

[JohnTR Graduate]

If you want a laugh, watch me run!

Concentrate on you and the app, no one's looking.

Before you know it you'll be running without a care in the world.

Don't forget to let us all know how you get on!

[Starpumpkin Graduate in reply to JohnTR]

Thanks will do!!!

[MarkyD Graduate]

Welcome and congratulations for getting started. You'll get a lot of motivation and encouragement from this site. And please feel free to ask any questions!

Believe me, everyone has seen someone running before, and they'll not really pay you any attention. Most people will be thinking: 'She's running: I should take more concern about my fitness, too'.

[pacm0n1 Graduate]

Follow the podcast and have confidence in yourself. You can do it!

[telford_mike Graduate]

Welcome Starpumpkin . This thing really works. As long as you can find the time to work through the weeks you'll absolutely smash it. Runners seem to be invisible to the majority of the general public, so get out there and run. Best of luck!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Hi and welcome! 👋👋

You’ve done the hard part and made the decision to get started 😄

Enjoy it, just follow the app, run slower than you think is humanely possible and you’ll be totally fine!

We’re a friendly bunch and we love to cheer each other on, so don’t forget to keep us updated with your progress!

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️❤️😀

[Hidden]

Welcome Starpumpkin! Youve taken the scariest step.......the first step. The rest of it is cool! You will do great and never worry about what others think because you know what? they have all been where you are and they were probably worried too. Just go and have a great time,listen to your app take it slow and steady and enjoy!

👏👏👏👏for coming this far! Good luck and let us know how you get on. Also there’s loads of good people here,with lots of love and great advice to give. So here’s a virtual hug to get you on your running path!😀😀

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Hi Starpumpkin! You’ve made a great decision and you’re not alone with the rubbish at running at school! I’ve definetly had that experience. But this programme has allowed me to put that old chestnut in file 13! 😉 I hope it will do the same for you too!

Have a great first run! Keep it slow and enjoy! It’s an amazing programme and you will get lots of support from here too! 😁😁❤️

[Lillybeth30mins Graduate]

Lots of advice!... but the biggest and best advice is slow and steady - the programme is designed to getting you running for a certain length of time, not distance, so there is nothing to be gained from going fast!

Keep posting and reading this forum cos you'll get ALL the support you need. Good luck Lx

[Debochka]

Have you ever seen the friends episode with Phoebe running? Well I’m not quite that bad but not far off... when I run past people I mainly get smiles and waves or they just aren’t bothered. I’m only on week 4 but I’m sure soon enough your nerves will wear off and you’ll be more interested in achieving that run. Welcome and good luck!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your journey.

[Starpumpkin Graduate]

Well that's it done!!! Went to the leisure centre to find the course wasn't running over the summer, luckily I had the app so headed down to the beach/park and did it there and had a lovely walk afterwards!!!!!

[KazH01 Graduate in reply to Starpumpkin]

Well done in taking the leap starpumpkin. My advice was going to be to get outside anyway. I tried running on a treadmill and was anxious all the time that I would fall. The programme is excellent and turned me from a couch potato to a runner for the 1st time in my life at age 53 and very overweight! I love the mental health it brings and if you short on inspiration try downloading Bryony Gordon’s Eat, Drink, run for inspiration

[11_Annie in reply to Starpumpkin]

Even better.....get outside and do it. Well done. Outside running can be tricky in this hot weather but u think the environment gives you something else to focus on (like not tripping over tree roots or wonky pavements for starters 😂) good luck and keep us posted.

[Dralimc Graduate]

Well done by not letting a cancelled course put you off! You don’t need a course, just the app and us 😊 I was the rubbishiest runner at school, hated it. Now at 51, after 10 weeks I’m running 30 mins 3 times a week. Believe me, this will transform you, just stick with it. 😊🏃🏻‍♀️

[Starpumpkin Graduate in reply to Dralimc]

That's fantastic!!!! I will definitely stick with it, I have a big birthday coming up next year and am wanting to make a real change in my lifestyle!!! Glad to know I just need to keep at it and trust the process 😁

[JohnTR Graduate]

Brilliant, well done! 😁

[KN25 Graduate]

I was exactly the same when I started and was self conscious about running in public. Now I just think who cares if someone laughs at me or thinks whose hat woman running at a snails pace. I don’t know them and I’m never gonna see them again. Just enjoy it and even though it’s tough each run you complete is a win!!

[Jundal Graduate]

People are more encouraging than you think! On week one run three or so, I was gasping up a hill, sweating like a fat kid running to a rapidly closing sweet shop, when I came upon some 'youths' in the woods. (Ok, this sounds like the start of a horror film...)

They smiled and nodded. I smiled and nodded back.

End of story.

People tend not to mock and titter, but approve of you trying to better yourself.

Get out there and smash it, kid. 👍

[ch3lsea007]

Well done on your first run! That's always the hardest! Not saying it's easy but take each run as it comes and trust the programme! It works!😀

[ccarter100]

Welcome!

[LolaMac81 Graduate]

The thought of running in front of other people was my biggest fear... to the point that on week 1 I changed a planned route because there were people around where I wanted to run...

Fast forward to week 2 and now I'm actively heading to the park and, last time out, high fiving kids who are riding round!

2 short weeks, 6 runs in total and I already don't care what anyone thinks as I'm too busy enjoying myself.. and I am ridiculously self conscious so if I can get past it, anyone can!