Two fat ladies: Am 54, unfit and overweight and... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Two fat ladies

Mrswobblesfriend profile image

Am 54, unfit and overweight and decided I needed to do something before it's too late. Am doing this with the support of my bestie of 43 years. Omg, how hard is it to run for 60 seconds??? We have decided to repeat week one runs until we can do it comfortably, after all anything is better than nothing!

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Mrswobblesfriend profile image
Mrswobblesfriend
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17 Replies
MrsWobble profile image
MrsWobble

Hi my lovely running buddy. Tough today but hey we are still trying. Love ya xxx

Mrswobblesfriend profile image
Mrswobblesfriend in reply toMrsWobble

Love ya too, we can only get better, slow and steady wins the race xx

Bandit14 profile image
Bandit14Graduate

60 seconds feels like eternity in wk 1😊

You don't need to repeat any runs unless you don't complete them - I've found lots of the runs tough but have always been surprised that when I've moved on a week - my body has moved with me lol

Good luck xx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Welcome and well done..:)

Now..have you checked this post out... ? Loads of great advice there :)

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

My advice...If you completed the runs.. do not repeat them.. you are going to get really tired and fed up if you do that.. particularly at the start :)

If you completed..move on.. slowly and steadily... and then slow down more. Think Slow snail on a go-slow:)

Breathe gently... try to land lightly and just relax... every single run will make you feel stronger.. believe me:)

Many, many folk who felt as you do are still here and doing awesome things. So... keep posting all your runs for terrific encouragement and support. Qe have all been there and we all run together:)

MrsWobble profile image
MrsWobble in reply toOldfloss

So if we didn’t manage the full 8 times 60 second runs and had to brisk walk some of them do you think we should not repeat week one runs? Our thoughts are if we can’t manage to run the full 60 seconds how can we move on to run 90 seconds in week 2. Would appreciate advice thanks

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toMrsWobble

If you did not manage all the runs, then yes, you need to repeat the run... and when you do complete them... which you most certainly will....:) then you move on.

If you take it really slowly.. really slowly.. you will do them :) Trust me :) x

MrsWobble profile image
MrsWobble in reply toOldfloss

Thank you for this. I think we struggle with pace and need to slow it down to enable us to complete each run xx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toMrsWobble

When you start.. the runs seem like an eternity... honestly..many folk thought they might collapse in the first weeks.. some even ran near GPs surgeries or hospitals..just in case:) I am not kidding you! I was the original Grey Snail.. embrace your Inner snail :)

You should be able to hold a conversation..whilst moving :)

This taken from the FAQ link I sent you...Well worth reading:)

"The commonest mistake by those starting this plan is to go too fast. You will be told to do your running intervals at a gentle jog, which means you should still be able to hold a conversation, not just gasp the odd word. If you are gasping or panting you are going too fast and with short breaths, you are not going to get enough oxygen into your body to supply the demands of your muscles and you will tire quickly. This is called your easy conversational pace. "

You can do this..just jog along with your running buddy and enjoy... it gets better :)

Ritmo profile image
RitmoGraduate

I'm fat and 57 and a recent graduate. Week one is absolutely the hardest. I was counting the seconds in my head. The programme really works

Notgazelle profile image
Notgazelle

I'm on my last run of the plan today. I'm 53 and thought I was relatively fit. Struggled to run for 60 seconds the first week lol. Can't believe I can run for 30 minutes now. Keep Going, you're off the couch x x x

Tinker5393 profile image
Tinker5393Graduate

Good luck to both wobbles, it's great to run with a buddy, means you can encourage each other and celebrate together as you go through the weeks. Go for it and enjoy.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Welcome Ladies. That first run is damn tough. Well done making the decision to do this. If I struggle in a run I move on, if I walk in a running bit I’ll repeat that run. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you are ready for the next jump in duration. It takes years of sitting on the couch to get where most of us were/are at the start of this, and yet it only takes a few weeks of effort and determination to become a runner. You can both do this, in your own time, at your own comfortable pace(s). It should be great doing this together, but if and when you need more support, this place is full of it.

Happy running.

Fernshome profile image
Fernshome

Huge congratulations on getting off the couch 🛋 You can definitely do this please take the advice and slow down the program is amazing and works and there are lovely supportive people on this forum Enjoy and please keep posting

Gran4z profile image
Gran4zGraduate

You’ve got some great advice here, so won’t say more except well done for starting, keep on running, slow and steady, smile and enjoy 🌻

Agelesslass profile image
Agelesslass

Keep doing it. It’s hard, it’s tough but believe me it’s certainly achievable. I was like you at the end of April, ok not so overweight but had a good stone to lose, but now 9st 8lb and running 7 miles plus. It’s such a great app and very doable. Good luck.

RunningMissP profile image
RunningMissP

And just think, in a few weeks you’ll be able to run for three minutes non-stop; which is where I am now. I wouldn’t have believed it a month ago before I started.

You can do it! You’re already doing it!!

Cakerunner profile image
CakerunnerGraduate

Hello there and welcome!! Please don't repeat week one, unless you walked the whole lot!? I remember thinking I was probably going to die if Laura asked me to do one more run of just 60 seconds, found the whole thing incredibly uncomfortable and horrid....but, peeps on here told me no, you ran it when you were meant to, however badly, move on, you've got this! And I'm midweek 9, probably still would be uncomfortable starting and stopping, and I'm still slow, but I'm doing it! And so will you, have faith in the program, trust it, and move forward, I really believe the only runs to repeat are any that you couldn't actually complete 😊 Let us know how you get on, you'll amaze yourself!!

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