Can I really do it??

[Crutty]

I have never run and am so unfit - I feel I would like to give this a try but am feeling lots of doubt - any people felt the same as me and succeeded? Would appreciate some encouragement....

[telford_mike Graduate]

Hi Crutty, and welcome. Of course you can do it. You don’t need to be remotely fit to do this. I gave myself no chance at all at the beginning, but in fact I enjoyed it a lot - I was 59 and hugely overweight. Fast forward a few months and I'm normal weight and doing regular 5k runs. Give it a try!

[sparkyjohn Graduate]

Hello Crutty. 🙋‍♂️

The phrase you used "I would like to give this a try" is all you need. There are all ages, all sizes and all sorts of people with weight, health and confidence issues working through the programme. Check through the posts, there's success everywhere.

Join in, you'll' be glad you did. 😃😃😃

[Tartancat Graduate]

I definitely felt like you do - "run for 60 seconds, are you mad?". But here I am, running 5km regularly, and I'm as gobsmacked about it as anyone! Take it slow, don't worry if you don't nail it the first time - just keep plugging away and you will amaze yourself.

We're all with you every step of the way!

[Crutty in reply to Tartancat]

Thank you for your reply - off out this weekend to get some running shoes 🏃😊

[WildFlower64]

Hi Crutty, I have never run (unless being chased) before & suffer from arthritis. I have just completed week 2 🎉. I’m sure you can do it, for me its just about taking it slowly and the best advice given to me was to ‘take it easy, don’t try to run to fast & try to keep your route as flat as you can!’

[Crutty in reply to WildFlower64]

Well if you can do it there's no excuse for me not to try - thank you so much x

[Djmrt54]

Yes you can, you may repeat weeks until you achieve them but that’s ok. The nine week programme is a guide, take as long as you need to but do work at it

[Crutty in reply to Djmrt54]

Thank you for your reply - off out this weekend to get some running shoes 🏃😊

[Hidden]

Hi Crutty, Yes you can do this, I’m 46, 4”11 and weigh in at 14st so verging on morbidly obese and I’ve just graduated the programme. Slow and steady wins the race, you don’t need to run fast just be able to finish that weeks task. Going off too fast you’ll hurt yourself which will then knock your confidence. I run a 17 min mile you’ll see others on here who run 10 - 9 min miles everyone runs at a speed that suits them. And remember you’re going faster than those sat on the sofa doing nothing. X

[Crutty in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply - am going to give it a try x

[Bandit14 Graduate]

Yes you can do it - the fact you are just thinking about it is all you need to make a start😊

You will get tons of support from the lovely people on here and there will always be someone who has faced whatever it throws at you.

Best thing I've ever done and in wk1 I thought omg I will never get through it - but I absolutely love this program cos it takes anyone even me at 50 and very unfit/overweight and turns them into someone who can run and love doing it😊

Best of luck with it - just take it slow and enjoy how good it makes you feel as you tick those runs off one by one x

[Crutty in reply to Bandit14]

Thank you so much!! Am off to buy some running shoes this weekend 🏃😊

[S-hack39]

Hi, I haven’t run in years and do no excerise other than cleaning my house. I did find some parts of it difficult, felt sick even, but by the 3rd run in week one it was a lot easier. And i feel better for doing it. My friend suggested the couch to 5k app when I said I was going to give running a go. Got to be honest, I have really surprised myself. Im only in week 3 but I’m enjoying it!

[Crutty in reply to S-hack39]

That's great - am feeling much more positive about this now reading all these replies - I am def going to give it a go x

[Crutty]

Brilliant - thank you so much - I am definately going to do this - off out to get some running shoes this weekend 😉

[Highamred]

Welcome Crutty!!!! I’m 45 years young and hadn’t run since I was at school and if I could get out of doing that I did. Absolutely hated even the thought of running, then I came up with the idea of running the London Marathon next year which I’ve been accepted on along with a couple of friends. So started the c25k and graduated last week. Since then I’ve been running three times a week. So literally going from zero to nearly 5k now in just over 30 mins. If I can do it you can do it and believe me you will do it!!!!!! Just relax, take your time and keep positive, Rome wasn’t built in a day! And take note of how many other people you see running also when you are out doing your runs, they can’t all be wrong! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Crutty in reply to Highamred]

Thanks for that - good luck with the London marathon - I have to conquer my first 60 second run as yet lol!!

[Highamred in reply to Crutty]

Thanks......and for the record, 9 weeks ago I was thinking the same thing: how the heck am I going to run for 60 seconds!!!!!!! You can and will do it!!!!! 👍🏻

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Hey! You’ve certainly come to the right place to get encouragement! Try and stop us!! 👏👏👏👏

You absolutely CAN do this. Thousands of us doubters already have! If you stick to the programme, don’t skimp on rest days, hydrate plenty and embrace your inner snail if you find yourself flagging, you’ll surprise yourself and smash it! 😀😀

Get out there and show the programme who’s boss! 🙌🙌

[Crutty in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks - am a tad overwhelmed by everyone's responses - I actually am wishing I had some trainers so I could start this evening!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

C25K is superbly structured to give success, because you are in control.

Welcome to the forum.

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

You can certainly do this and change your life and your own expectations of your abilities.

Enjoy your journey.

[Crutty in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Great thanks for the info - i am so grateful to everyone for the encouragement!

[MrChris Graduate]

Yeah. you definitely can!

Just don't think 'run' and think 'jog'.

My laziness returned after finishing the program :/ as nine weeks wasn't enough for me to break old habits, so I'm doing the C25K again at the moment. As long as you are doing what would be deemed a jogging movement as opposed to walking you're doing well, so go slowly and before you know it you'll be jogging for 30 minutes straight

[Crutty in reply to MrChris]

Thanks for reply - if I do get to run or jog for 30 minutes I will be amazed but am certainly going to try!!

[KateBounce]

You can do it!! I had never cracked running before but I’m on week 6 now. Just take it easy and give it a go. Nothing to lose

[Crutty in reply to KateBounce]

Thanks for your reply - I feel much better now - can't wait to get started!

[KateBounce in reply to Crutty]

I’m glad! Just go for it

[Berksrover Graduate]

Everyone else has already convinced you to start and it sounds like you are going to. If you are going to buy some new running shoes this weekend it might be worth finding somewhere that will do a gait analysis for you, basically they put you on a treadmill for a little while to see how you jog /run and then advise you on the best shoes for you. If you don't want to do that just yet, don't worry, get a pair you like the look of and feel good in, a lot of people recommend going a size higher than you normally would as your feet do expand when running (only when running, you won't end up with flippers!)!

[Elmz]

I honestly never ever ever believed I could do it. But it is possible! I have never run before this. It is hard, but once your past the first weeks it gets easier. Your body is built for it and can do it, it’s your brain that stops you. Just go one run at a time and you’ll get there! Seriously, it’s so fun when you actually do it and it ‘clicks’. Good luck!!

[Crutty in reply to Elmz]

It's definitely my brain that is the issue but am fighting it and feel really cheered up reading all these fab replies x thank you

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Literally..thousands felt like you!!

Check out the FAQ post..loads of great advice...and....just slow and steady...and you are on your way!!

[Crutty in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you - will bear that in mind x

[Jude1963 Graduate]

Yes. You can. Just listen to the encouragement! We all came from the same place!! 👍🏼

I did it too!!

[Crutty in reply to Jude1963]

Am so glad I posted on here - what an amazing response - I feel much more positive now and looking forward to starting next week - thank you for taking the time to comment x

[Jude1963 Graduate in reply to Crutty]

That’s what helped me too. The people on here know exactly what you’re going through. Keep it up!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[Thelma2018]

Well done on comitting yourself to the programme! You CAN do this! As others have said, start very slowly and build up that stamina gradually. Don't panic about breathing; learn to relax and you will find your own natural rhythm. I found that setting myself timed restraints (walk 5 mins, run 1, walk 5 etc) helped. Then build up the running time and decrease the walk time in between. Don't think about the distance you've travelled in the early stages. From being completely unfit, I've now managed 5K in 35 mins- at 57 years old (not run since a child) and started morbidly obese. Now just one and a half stones off my weight target! If I can turn my life around (after a lifetime of yo-yo dieting) anyone can! Just concentrate one day at a time. Some days will be hard, just go back a step and do a previous run - You'll get there! Just don't give up on yourself; we're with you every step of the journey. Good luck!

[Jay66UK Graduate]

You’ve had lots of “yes” answers and here comes another. Wrong side of 50, 5 stone overweight at the start. No exercise at all in over 20 years. Never a runner (apart from horrific school PE lessons). Started end of March and about to run my first 10k this weekend.

If I can, etc.

I’ve not loved every moment. I’ve had plenty of struggles on the way. (It’s all on here if you want a laugh.)

But I now run three times a week religiously and it’s changed my life.

[Pjb1976]

Yes you can I’m not going to lie it is not easy but just do what you can. It’s not about how long it takes either as you can repeat the weeks until your ready to move up as well. I had a lot of doubts too, still do some days, but I did it and as you get through each week the feeling you get is amazing. Just remember that there are lots of people on here who can help and support you on your journey. Trust in yourself and do it for you.