Hello everyone :)

[Wilsona]

Hi everyone!

I’m Andy and looking to try running for the first time! I do swim a bit but want to get fitter and replace after work drinking with something better

I hear running gives a nice buzz

Any tips to help me start and motivate are very welcome

Thanks Andy

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

👋Welcome Andy! Cto5K is the very best for enabling you to try out running. Best advice is to follow the program, drink lots of water, and make yourself accountable on this app to keep you going. We look forward to seeing Wk1:Run1 ✅

[Wilsona]

Thank you ! Accountability is the key ha ha

[Dexy5 Graduate]

You’ve taken the best step to start this programme. In addition to annieapple’s advice, start running slower than you think you should.

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Hi Andy and welcome to this great forum which provides lots of invaluable advice, and is a constant source of support.

I started a couple of weeks ago at the age of 59 having never ‘run’ before in my life. My advice is to read the How to post, and take it very slowly. I also advise the pre and pos run stretches, links to these are also in the How to post.

Good luck and welcome on board 😁

[peskymousie1]

Take in small achievable steps. Remember rewards...

[RunningMigster Graduate]

Hi Andy,

Welcome to the group.

Really is ditto what everyone else says.

I've just finished week one and I'm enjoying it.

I've also never been a runner, so it's tough to get off the mark, but the motivation and inspiration on the forum is excellent.

Just remember, it's not a competition. Take it slow, take your rest days and keep posting on here so we know how you're doing and can keep you motivated.

I look forward to hearing how wk1 r1 went!

Mig

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Hello Andy, it's great you want to start running.

Just go slow and slower again if needed and make sure you're drinking plenty water about 2-3 litres per day and not just on run days.

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

[Ouchto5kmummy Graduate]

Good luck! I do treat myself to a glass of wine post run (just about to go into week 7). Be careful, this running business is addictive!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your decision.

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

Enjoy your journey.

[Alast]

Hi Andy, welcome to this great community and your new habit! I think there are a lot of us on here who have never been runners before starting the programme. I'll be honest and admit that my ambitions have changed since starting a few weeks ago. I knew nothing about running before and initially I took it for granted that 9 weeks after starting, I would be running 5K, then I tried week 1 run 1! I was doing a number of things wrong, the most important was trying (or expecting) to run far too quickly. The lovely people on here soon sorted me out however and although I didn't find it easy, yesterday I completed my first running session of week 3. One sensible thing I did before I started was to invest in a reasonable pair of running shoes, these are so light & comfortable they really help. (An added incentive to me was to tell myself that now I've invested nearly £50 in the shoes, I've got to give it a proper go!). Now that I've understood that the title is a little misleading (the end result of the course is to get you running for 30 minutes, NOT a set distance) I have re-set my targets. My plan is to complete the course in my own time, I will not move on a week until I have completed three consecutive runs (with rest days obviously) of the previous week, and if I'm struggling, there is no shame in dropping back a week to re-build my self confidence. Although I'm in my early stages of this I'm already becoming addicted (the sense of achievement in completing things I couldn't do before is amazing!) and now every Monday, Wednesday & Saturday morning I get up extra early and go out for my run! Enjoy it mate and I look forward to reading how you get on.

[Smelliepoo Graduate in reply to Alast]

Listen to this guy! ⬆️

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Alast]

This is a really helpful post. 👍

[Wilsona in reply to Alast]

Thank you ! Very good and helpful

[Parky88 Graduate]

Just start the c25k program and see how you go! As others have said, I've found posting on here really helped, everyone is so supportive

Set off nice and slow, you can always speed up later. And drink water water and more water (I'm still working on that one!)