Starting Out

[brickards]

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

[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 in reply to Homer111]

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

[resolution Graduate]

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

[brickards in reply to resolution]

Many thanks

[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 in reply to mickh007]

Many thanks - appreciated

[mrrun Graduate]

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]

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 in reply to Decker]

Thank you that’s really helpful

[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 Graduate]

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 Graduate]

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 Graduate]

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 Mentor]

Welcome to the forum.

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

Enjoy your journey.