Hi. Really want to improve my fitness by starting the couch to 5k. Not much overweight but approaching 50 and so unfit. Last time I tried this program I really struggled with the breathing and scared myself as I would get light headed and have a tight chest. Had an ECG recently and all clear so do I just need to stick with it at the beginning and just expect it to be difficult?
Any help/advice greatly appreciated!
I turned 50 this year and 9 weeks ago I was on a couch. Today I graduated! I think that it’s a great program. I believe that you can do it, just do one run at a time at a pace that suits you. Good luck and enjoy yourself.
Thanks for the encouragement - really want to do it this time. Congratulations on your graduation!
Yessssss MrsSmith do it!!! There are plenty of 50+ peeps on here (me! 🙋♀️) and it’s totally doable. 😀
You probably took it too quickly last time. Slow yourself down as much as you need to whilst still keeping a running motion. It might even be slower than walking pace, but that’s ok. 🐌
Go for it. You’ll feel great, and this forum is fabulous if you have any concerns or just fancy a chat! 😀👍🏻
I’m nearly 50 too and have just graduated this week. I never thought I’d do it in a millions years and here I am 9 weeks later running for 30 mins. If I can do it, anyone can. This programme is the best and I’m so glad I downloaded the app. Good luck 🤞🏻🏃🏻♀️
Yes, yes and yes!! And, oh, yes! Take it slowly. Find yourself a few Virtual running Buddies on here and away you go. You've done the hard bit and your GP is happy. Get those trainers on, hon, and get ready to astonish yourself xx
I was 56 and an ex smoker when I started .. This program is the best thing you can do ..
Maybe previously you were running to fast .. the key to this is to run each run as slowly as you need to so you can compete it ..
Definitely take each run as it comes. The rest days are just as important as the running days to give your body chance to xatch up and recover. If you need more than 1 day take it ..Trust in the program and Believe in yourself 🤨
Now go get those trainers on and go for it.. good luck and keep posting with your progress
Go for it 🏃♀️ it's the best present you could give yourself for your 50th
If you have had an ECG & all is healthy, why not?
I also used to feel that dreadful breathless "I'm going to be sick! I'm going to collapse! This isn't right! This isn't supposed to be this uncomfortable! I can't do this! I have to stop" monologue going on in my head as soon as I started exerting myself. But then 2 things happened.
I spoke to a colleague at work, a runner, whom I had imagined to be a total natural with no problems running. She said that when she started she had all those exact thoughts as well and that running was as much about defeating the mental Gremlins telling you that you can't do it as about physical fitness.
The second thing was starting this programme. I can say, with hand on heart (and as a 55-year-old fatso who never ran IN MY LIFE BEFORE) that this programme has never lied to me, that anything Sarah Millican says I can do, I have been able to do, that I have now run 3x25 minutes without stopping (and on a flipping awful surface ON HOLIDAY I may add) and that I know I will graduate within the next few weeks, barring injury, and do a Park Run without walking by November.
And what's more, if I can do it, you can.
Take it sloooow. There is no rush, listen to your body. There is no shame in taking your time. I repeated a couple of weeks until I felt ready to move on.
Good luck
Ps I’m 62 so claim top trumps on age of replyees. 😊
Yes, you should do it. You can do it. Will you do it?
Slow pace and relax, breathing will sort itself out at some stage.
As many have said YES!
Read the FAQ's guide to the programme, get yourself some decent trainers and follow the programme by jogging VERY slowly.
Oh and prepare to be AMAZED 
Go for it 👍
Another yes you can!! 46 and unfit and got through the first, for me, awful weeks. It's an exercise for life that you can easily fit in with day to day living. Give it a try....what's the worst? 👍👍👍
That horrible feeling of not breathing right will be something you will look back on as you improve fitness and confidence and it will be a marker of how far you have come!
Go REALLY slow, I’m on week 2 and Sanjeev my voice coach has constantly said to go slow-he also gives advice on breathing and I’m definitely less beetroot in the face than last week! My last run had a dog walker walk past me! So when you hear go slow, they really mean slow!!!!!
You can do it-just repeat anything you need to before moving on-it’s not a race 😜
Im 56 and Just completed my 1st week. Looking forward to the 2nd week but I’m still going to take things slow. I tend to run in the week for 3 days as the weekends Hubby and I and the dog do a lot of walking. Did 5 miles walk today. Keeps me active even at the weekend but at a slower pace. Go for it. But take your time x
You can do it MrsSmith50!! The hardest part is starting 👍🏻
I’m 66 and in week 6. I think it’s about training your brain as well as your body. Good luck.
You can definitely do it, i'm 63 and had not run in years, had lost some weight but was certainly not fit, and I've just completed week 5 run 3. It is much more of a mental challenge than a physical one, if you follow the instructions and build up slowly you will be fine. If you find a week particularly hard you can always repeat it. But don't give up, you will feel great!
Was 57 when I started in April, graduated both C25K and Bto10k, still don't have a clue what's happening with my breathing, just take it really slow and keep positive, you know you want to do it, you know why you want to do it, all you have to do now, is to stick with the plan, the benefits are great and come in all sorts of unexpected ways, good luck
I was 57 when I did C25K and five years later I am generally fitter than in my youth. We had an 83 year old graduate last year..........
This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and may help you to run at the correct slow pace.
Do it. You won't regret it.
Oh yes, yes, yesssss. I was 56 when I started and thought I was dying during my first run. Over a year later I now know I was trying to go too fast. Do read the guide on here for more info, but in short only 'run' at a speed at which you could speak at the same time. C25k is, without doubt, the most amazing thing I've done in years. It could change your life too. Keep reading and posting here for masses of encouragement and inspiration. Just do it, as they say. Good luck and enjoy 😀
I can add no more, other than yet another "yes". I am 49 and graduated towards the end of last year. In June I ran a half marathon! If you had told me I would be doing that when I started C25k I would have laughed so hard I wet myself. The plan is great, trust in it and remember to pace yourself - a slow run is always better than no run.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beyond Couch to 5k runs now on available on the app! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fish, chips and mushy peas!
Hello all - 71 years old and hoping to run!
