New Runner

[Bocky]

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

[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 Graduate in reply to Nemo10]

Thanks very much Nemo 10 👍

[molly1973 Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to molly1973]

Thanks Molly, keep plodding on 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

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 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks very much for your advice lannoda Truffle 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks unfit, looking forward to starting tommorow.