New Runner: Hi everyone, hope your all good... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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New Runner

Bocky profile image
BockyGraduate
8 Replies

Hi everyone, hope your all good.

First time on the site and about to start the 9 week programme, I was never any good at distance running when younger but determined to get better.

I always get tempted to exersise more than recommended in the beginning, is this harmful to push that bit more or stick with the recommended.

Many thanks

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Bocky profile image
Bocky
Graduate
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8 Replies
Nemo10 profile image
Nemo10

Stick with what's recommend and you are less likely to get injured. If you've never been great at long distance it's very important to build up slowly and get your body used to it. You could do some strength exercises a couple of times a week on non-running days? This will aid your running as well as overall fitness

Bocky profile image
BockyGraduate in reply to Nemo10

Thanks very much Nemo 10 👍

molly1973 profile image
molly1973Graduate

Welcome! I am making slow progress through week 2 so also new to this. I have previously tried C25k but jumped in at week 3 or 4 as I could run for those times, however I’ve never been able to progress off that starting point and struggled to do it three times a week. I’ve discovered that sticking to the programme, starting at week 1, it’s not too much and I’m building the fitness up over time. The transition to week 2 was fine on the lungs and legs although my knee had complained! I hope you enjoy it and take it slow 👍

Bocky profile image
BockyGraduate in reply to molly1973

Thanks Molly, keep plodding on 😊

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Welcome to the forum.

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

Please stick to the plan, even if it seems very easy to start with. Many underestimate the stresses induced by the impact of running, which actually cause micro tears in your muscles, which repair and strengthen on your rest days, not while running. Without the rest, no repair, no strengthening and so increased injury risk.

The plan is brilliantly structured and will get you running for thirty minutes in just a few weeks. If you cannot wait that long, then perhaps running is not the sport for you, as doing too much too soon leads only to injury followed by no running for days, weeks or even months.

Enjoy your journey.

Bocky profile image
BockyGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Thanks very much for your advice lannoda Truffle 😊

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Well... let’s imagine you don’t have an app, you have a coach... he’s spent weeks getting a plan worked out and then you don’t follow it. I’ve been there... they kick your ass! The plan is set to get you to your goal... maybe when you could run 20 you could actually have run 30... but the coach that wrote the programme knows that doing that magnifys the injury risk many times over. Go with the plan, consolidate after and then follow another plan.

Bocky profile image
BockyGraduate in reply to UnfitNoMore

Thanks unfit, looking forward to starting tommorow.

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