Starting tomorrow. Am complete beginner at just turned 50! Any tips?

[VicSurt]

Any advice welcome!

[SnailRunner71 Graduate]

Just enjoy it 👍😁😁😁😁🏃

[VicSurt]

Thankyou!

[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.

[Biscuit12345]

I start tomorrow as well!

[VicSurt in reply to Biscuit12345]

Let me know how you get on!

[Deals1 Graduate]

Enjoy it!!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome. Slow and steady and read the guide. You can do this, enjoy your journey.

[5k2couch]

Take it easy, join a group or park run and don’t be put off when toddlers run past u, u are at the start of a journey

[VicSurt in reply to 5k2couch]

I’m

Planning to go on the treadmill to start with...

[misswobble Graduate]

There’s lots of posts to read, as well as the programme notes, so plenty of info there 🙂

[Always_Golden]

Congratulations on deciding to do this! That’s a HUGE step! Be patient. Follow the program. Don’t jump ahead even if you are absolutely certain you feel good enough to advance at a faster pace. Slow and steady are the key to avoiding injury. Pushing ahead before you should increases injury risks. At our age (50ish and up) that’s a big issue. Don’t be afraid to repeat weeks. I developed a cold that set me back around week 4. The setback was frustrating but I kept repeating that week and may have even dropped back to week 3 to give myself a break. That was 8 years ago. I was 48 and running for the first time in 25 years. Since then, I’ve run 8 half marathons. Listen to your body and trust yourself. You might hate running while you are doing it, but whether it’s two minutes after you’re done or two hours, you’ll be glad you did it. I wished I had a treadmill to start because it was hard to get out there those first weeks and months. Later, I had access to a treadmill and was grateful at first. Eventually, when my runs got longer, the treadmill was a nightmare. I much preferred the fresh air and change of scenery and terrain, but everyone is different. Rejoice in your incremental achievements and shrug off your setbacks. The setbacks happen and can mess with your head a bit, but it’s all part of the process. Best of luck!

[Amandana]

Welcome!

My advice is that this is a new habit you're building. Think about strategies that may work for you to keep yourself going with it even when life throws in some wrenches. If you're someone who struggles to meet personal goals (like me!) build yourself a plan, hope and luck aren't enough!

[Jimafblack Graduate]

VicSurt, I have ten years on you and just about to start week 8. My advice:

- follow the course exactly

- don't find an excuse not to do a run

- keep going even when you feel like giving up

This week I will be running for 28 minutes non-stop - I can hardly believe that. When I started I could barely run for 60 seconds.

[VicSurt]

Well I did my first run on treadmill and found it pretty ok! I had a gentle swim after and felt amazing! Thankyou all. Roll on Wednesday!