New to running

[pa259]

Hi. I am 52 and haven’t run since school where I hated it. My goal is to join my husband on a park run which feels very far off at the moment. I have completed 2 runs of week one but as I have anxiety I keep overthinking it and worrying about the next run etc. My legs are also very sore! (Which did surprise me a bit as I do a lot of walking. Shows how unfit I really am). Any advice would be welcome.

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

👋Welcome & what a great decision! Wow W1:2 under your belt! Excellent!

Keep it very slow🐌 & the achy legs will disappear. Keep well hydrated in both run and rest days. Take each run as it comes. Trust and follow the program implicitly & before you know it you will be loving it! 🌺👣🏃‍♀️

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and includes advice on pacing, stretching after every run and hydration, all of which will help.

Relax and enjoy the journey.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great for getting started. The aching legs should stop just continue your walking on the rest days . Try not to worry about your next run try to enjoy it. You also have something to aim for by joining your husband at parkrun that's great.

C25k is an amazing plan and really does work you'll get lots of encouragement and support on here good luck 😊😊

[Smelliepoo Graduate]

I hated running at school and vowed that once I had finished PE for good that I would never run again!

I am now on week 7 at the age of 41 and love it, although it is tough, nothing worth doing is easy!

Slow down if your legs hurt while running and if it is afterwards then stretch your legs more (but don't lock your knees!) Drink water and keep on going! Let the runs happen and just do what the plan tells you! You will be fine. Well done, you can do it. 😊

[Speedy60 Graduate]

No rush on the runs, or between runs. I always leave at least two recovery days between runs. You've waited 52 years, an extra week or two won't make any difference, and it's worth it to let your legs recover and prevent injury.

Good luck