Starting Out: Hi - I am 50 year old chap... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Starting Out

brickards profile image
14 Replies

Hi - I am 50 year old chap starting tomorrow couch to 5K any best practices to consider? I haven’t run before.

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brickards profile image
brickards
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14 Replies
Homer111 profile image
Homer111

Hi mate I’m 50 in a couple of months and followed the program on week 8 now the only thing I did was have my gait measured and bought trainers to suit good luck

brickards profile image
brickards in reply toHomer111

Cheers! Good advice- well done you. Keep going.

resolution profile image
resolutionGraduate

Go veeeeeery slow. You don't have to run much faster than you walk, as long as you have the running gait.

brickards profile image
brickards in reply toresolution

Many thanks

mickh007 profile image
mickh007

Hi Brickards, I'm 50 too!! In the early stages it may seem easy and you may get over confident (voice of experience talking) and so it's important to have your rest days thus avoiding injury. I run listening to 5 live and the day's news in the evening, annoys the hell out of me but it gets me round! Good look in your journey!

brickards profile image
brickards in reply tomickh007

Many thanks - appreciated

mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate

It’s very simple. One leg, then the other. A bit faster than walking. When you get injured you’ll learn not to make that mistake again. Alternatively, read loads of advise and experience on the forum and don’t give up. That’s basically it.

Decker profile image
Decker

Hi bricckards. I was just turning 50 when I did the C25 program and my issue in the early stages was going too fast and hitting a wall trying to move past 7k. Once I slowed down, things fell into place. The pace came back later on too, and I’ve done a number of longer races since. Take your time and don’t be too hard on yourself, but try not to miss more than one or two runs in a row if you can help it. I think the real value of the early stages is to establish the habit. Things like leaving my run kit out the night before, did seem to help and I still do this now. Listening to a good playlist helps pass the time on the solo runs too. Best of luck!

brickards profile image
brickards in reply toDecker

Thank you that’s really helpful

Notsobigdoug profile image
Notsobigdoug

Don’t over think it. Take each run as it comes. Don’t think you can’t do it and most of all enjoy it

muppedo profile image
muppedoGraduate

Hi brickards

I started this when I turned 50 ( graduated this week, my advice is steady pace the object is to run 30 minutes not necessarily 5k ( I’m only up to 4K as I type) get correct running shoes and make sure to take rest days

Hope this helps 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

The act of running you have known since you learned to walk... nobody ever taught you how to, but you could do it, it was walking that took some teaching. All that is needed is to complete the runs, so don’t worry about speed or distance, they come a lot later, if you want them too. Run nice and relaxed, well hydrated, with an empty stomach, and most importantly slowly and gently. This plan turns you into a runner... so don’t try and smash records until you are one... you’ll be better conditioned as a new runner if you just let the fitness build and not forcing it. Enjoy your journey... you can do this.

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate

58. I was 56 when I started. My two cardinal rules are, run slowly and always go out the door. Slow and steady lays foundations for later increases, going out the door means I will actually run :)

The UNBREAKABLE rule is - never run on a Rest Day.

Wishing you many happy miles in your future :)

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Welcome to the forum.

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

Enjoy your journey.

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