Time for a change! Completely newbie...

[MindyMcCready]

I’ve never ran properly before and I’m going to do my first run when I get back from work today. I’m actually really excited! 😁 anyone starting this week could be able to run 5k by Christmas!!

Before I start, any stretches or tips for a total newbie please? Thank you 🙏

[Goose76]

Hi! I've just started ...Did run 1 this morning. I'm in my early 40s and haven't done any running since my teens!!! I would say take the running part slowly...my mistake when I tried this a couple yrs ago was to jog/run too fast, result was I felt like I was dying & quit!!!!! This time I jogged slowly and gently and was fine! Yay. Really hoping I can stick at it this time!!!!!

[MindyMcCready in reply to Goose76]

Good luck!! Thanks for the tip. I think the thing that worries me is that the terrain by me is really hilly too so maybe I should do the first one down hill haha!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Exactly 10 weeks to Christmas 🎄🌲🎶today MindyMcCready, so if you and Goose 76 start this week both of you can graduate from C25K just before Christmas🎄🎶,🎧 what a lovely "present☃️🤶" that would be for both of you. 🎄🎶🎧🎼

[MindyMcCready in reply to AlMorr]

That’s what I’m hoping for ❤️🙏

[cazz0208 Graduate]

I started on Sunday afternoon as well and did think that I could be graduating on Christmas Day! Why is it I can do an hour of Zumba or Body Combat and this is so much harder and can feel thigh muscles that I don’t normally?

[MindyMcCready in reply to cazz0208]

Haha I know what you mean! I find running really tough I think maybe because it’s high impact... good luck to you!

[cazz0208 Graduate in reply to MindyMcCready]

Thanks Mindy and to you as well

[Shakywakey Graduate]

My tip would be to follow the programme as it is. It’s a great programme that has been specifically designed to get you into running

You are right to be excited 😁. You’ll love it . Good luck, enjoy and keep us updated 😁

[MindyMcCready in reply to Shakywakey]

Thanks Shaky! I’ll be updating again post run 😁

[paul1960 Graduate]

trust the program .slow and steady and you will smash it honest it realy works

[Whatnog]

Welcome!! Congrats on getting started, I am sure you will have fun!

For tips, take a look at this post by Ianoddatruffe: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

There are other very useful tips in the Pinned posts. Lots of running wisdom!!

For post-run stretches, I am doing these ones and it is going well:

nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/h...

Enjoy your first run!! 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️

[MindyMcCready in reply to Whatnog]

Thanks so much Whatnog!! Will read through these before I get going 😁 how long have you been running?

[Whatnog in reply to MindyMcCready]

Better keep them for your rest time after the run!!! 🤣🤣. I can hardly believe but I have just started W6, after a lifetime of repeating “I hate running” 😳 This program is really something!!!!

[MindyMcCready in reply to Whatnog]

Haha that’s fab well done!! How do you feel about running now? I’ve also always said I hate it!

[Whatnog in reply to MindyMcCready]

Quite surprised 😮! It is like rediscovering myself and challenging my beliefs, interesting and funny journey! I hope it will be like that for you!!!

[Deals1 Graduate]

Yep. Trust the program and slow and steady! Good luck

[Karenlwarner73 Graduate]

I echo everything above. I'm now week 3 having never run before (and never wanted to quite frankly!) and I now look forward to my walk/run.

Slow and steady is the key and be fearless!

Enjoy 🏃‍♀️

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum.

Do check out the guide to the plan linked to by Whatnog it is full of tips.

Keep posting your progress and be prepared for your life to change.

Enjoy your journey.

[MindyMcCready]

Well I did it!!! And it was only the final 60s that left me feeling like I was going to actually drop dead... bad timing on my half that it was uphill! My ankles and legs feel a little sore now but I have to admit, I actually enjoyed it

[Shelley2310 Graduate in reply to MindyMcCready]

Well done, I did my first walk/run yesterday, I thought I was going to die half way through and run 4 I actually walked. But after I still felt pleased with myself. My 2nd is Thursday

[MindyMcCready in reply to Shelley2310]

Well done Shelley! It will be good to see how you get on and we can share the pain together haha

[Shelley2310 Graduate in reply to MindyMcCready]

Haha yes, as I’m very overweight too I’m taking it slow. If I have to repeat a day/week I will. I’ve lost just over a stone over last 6 weeks and given up smoking at the same time......so you’ll prob overtake me....enjoy 😊

[MindyMcCready in reply to Shelley2310]

That’s blooming brilliant well done you. It’s hard enough starting a new regime but stopping smoking at the same time must be really tough! I am hoping that learning to run will help me to drop a few pounds (well a couple of stone!) and improve my health

[Shelley2310 Graduate in reply to MindyMcCready]

We can do this 😊

[Amblerman Graduate in reply to Shelley2310]

Brilliant!! I'm a few weeks ahead of you but I would say that just starting and completing the first run was the hardest thing for me so far. So well done.