Fell at the first hurdle!

[Mellowyello]

Well - week 1, Run 1 and I failed!! I just couldn’t get the courage together to go out and do it. I walked my planned route instead and will have another go tomorrow.

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

Ooh we like that kind of attitude on here ~ 😱 except for the failed bit 🤦‍♀️ You didn't fail, you assessed how you were feeling, concluded that today wasn't your day, walked the planned route ~ which goes to show that tomorrow you will be out there doing it! An old friend of mine on here has a saying "Out there, don't care!" (You can take that as your Mantra😊 ~ isn't that right Fabulous450 🙌)

[Mellowyello Graduate in reply to Flaraflarkin]

“Out there, don’t care” - I like it! 👌

[Flaraflarkin Graduate in reply to Mellowyello]

It's great isn't it! That Mantra built up my confidence to wear shorts out in public 😊 I'm 50 and have always had poor body image, doing this programme will increase your confidence, promise you that 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

That’s not a failure... that’s the voices in your head doing what they do. I had looked at running again every day for a year before I got out there. That walk isn’t a failed run, it’s a reconnaissance mission. Relax and believe in yourself, then put yourself on that start line tomorrow... close your eyes and tell yourself you can, then open them and take that first running step. You can do this... go nice and slow.

[Mellowyello Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Those voices are so loud though! I’ll put my music on loud so maybe I won’t here them 😃

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Mellowyello]

That may work... or you could tell yourself that you can do this... out loud if you need to.

[MrsT0707 Graduate]

At least you tried! That’s the very first step and probably the biggest one. It is a daunting thing putting yourself out there for the world to see.

We all have days like this and you’ve got the right attitude in not giving up and trying again tomorrow. Good luck 😃

[Mellowyello Graduate in reply to MrsT0707]

Yep, no excuses tomorrow!

[Ttoodles Graduate]

Well done for making a start - the first few weeks I just listened to the programme and walked so what you’ve done isn’t a fail it’s a commitment. It took me a while to be brave enough to run in front of someone else- but today I ran for 30 mins which is something I never thought I would do. Enjoy your journey 😀🏃‍♀️🍌

[Mellowyello Graduate in reply to Ttoodles]

Hopefully I will be encouraging someone in 9ish weeks time, by telling them I’ve run for 30 minutes - that seems a long time at the moment!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

You didn’t fail, you are getting prepared. I often walk a new route before I run it so I get a feel for it. That is all you were doing. I always say the hardest part of learning to run is actually that very first step. It builds up in our minds until it is something of epic proportions. It is not, it is just one little step of 100, 000, 000 you will be taking after you take the first one. We all look back at the first one with fondness, it always will be the hardest and easiest step all at the same time. Bite the bullet, I know you can do it. You don’t have to do the whole run you just have to do one step. 😀. Good luck.

[Mellowyello Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Actually I was glad I did walk it as it was quite an uneven surface...and it’s where I intend to do my first Parkrun in 9 weeks time!

[Ttoodles Graduate in reply to Mellowyello]

Just keep remembering it’s for pleasure and to invest in your health - I’m due to do a park run with my dog and he’s enjoyed the training so much I may have to get him his own headphones

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Oh Mellowyello you haven't failed. If you read through some of the other posts you will find that some started with week zero where they walked for 30 minutes to then build up for the running/jogging/snail shuffle in week 1.

Some people when doing week one have not completed all the running elements. But you know what? It doesn't matter! This is your journey, you've made a start and that's the hardest bit to do. If you start by running 10 steps on each run rather than 60 seconds, who cares? If it takes longer than 9 weeks to run 30 minutes, who cares? Go at your pace, (excuse the pun) embrace your inner snail

Good luck, we're here for you x

[Mellowyello Graduate in reply to Jogunlikely]

It’s my journey - It’s my journey - It’s my journey - It’s my journey - I think I’ve got it now 👍🏼

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Were you off the couch? Yes, I believe you were! So you didn’t fail. You took it nice and slow and you now have a foundation to work from. 👏👏👏👏👏👏

It doesn’t matter how slow you go. There are a whole bunch of snails on this forum - 🙋‍♀️ I’m one for starters 🐌

Just have another go - tomorrow even - and see how you get on. Bet you’ll surprise yourself! 👍🏻😀👏🙌

[Mellowyello Graduate]

😁😁 Yes, you’re right - I was off the couch. I hadn’t looked at it that way, thanks.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Well that's a practice recce then. Nothing like failure 👍😉

[Pattypoos Graduate]

It took me 18 months to slide off the couch and don leggings (at my age!) and baggy t shirt...

[Mellowyello Graduate in reply to Pattypoos]

I should have done it years ago too. I’ll have to do some catching up - when I get going... tomorrow!

[dave_the_scot Graduate]

I put it off and put it off and put it off and Bank Holiday Monday decided that it was now or never. Donned my togs and set off - now on week one run 2 and nowhere as achey as I was and looking forwards to doing more!!

Hopefully by the time that you have read this you will have done Wk1R1 - go on you know you want to! Good luck

[Mellowyello Graduate in reply to dave_the_scot]

Achey! Oh dear, I’ll have to have a contingency plan for that too. Maybe chocolate 🍫. Thanks for the encouragement.

[HopingForHealth]

Don’t worry, you’ve got this. Try it again and again and one day you’ll find yourself shuffling ... and then one day running x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum.

We have all been there....... you can do it!

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

Enjoy your journey.