Tips for a beginner

[Noodle2]

Hi I’ve finally got round to getting off the couch!! Had the app downloaded for ages but kept stalling 🙄 just done my first run, I didn’t find it too bad but I know it’s going to get worse!! Has anyone got any tips for a newby x

[Hidden]

Hi and congratulations on starting C25K. The runs don’t get worse, they get better! The program has been carefully designed so that each run prepares you for the next and you’ll honestly be amazed at the progress you make in such a short space of time. Well done and keep going 💪🏼 You’ve got this!

[Noodle2 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I’m so glad I’ve started, I do 5 hiit sessions a week, but I still don’t feel very fit 🙁 so I thought running would help with this, I did better than I thought I would to be honest x

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Slow down, don’t get too puffed out and as the runs get longer slow down some more, also drink plenty of water every day it does make a difference

[Noodle2 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I was glad when the 60 seconds was up, thinking how am I ever going to run for longer, but slowly slowly catch your monkey springs to mind lol it’s such a lovely day today though, can’t imagine liking running in the cold 🥶 x

[Spike75 Graduate in reply to Noodle2]

I thought that too. Most of my running is at the gym but on the weekend it doesn’t open till 9 and if I’m running at the start of the day, I want to be done by then. Yesterday I ran in the rain. Really surprised myself that I stopped thinking about it around the time the warm up finished.

Because of this, I’m feeling a lot more confident about running outside in the cold. Good gloves and socks are going to be key for me I think, but I have some wind proof cycling gloves and merino socks that will get quite a bit of use in the coming weeks. First 5k is 1/12/19. 😬

[Noodle2 in reply to Spike75]

Well done for going in the rain, I think once I get into it, it might not be as daunting running in the cold, good luck with your 1st 5k 👍 that seems such a long away for me lol 😂

[Spike75 Graduate in reply to Noodle2]

I start week 9 tomorrow. Still can’t believe it. 3 years ago I tried C25k and couldn’t complete W1R1. Gave up disgusted at myself. Took up cycling instead but you have to go so much further for an equal effort workout. Seems like I might run all year round and cycle in the spring/summer.

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

Great start!! Nothing to fear or dread. Take one run at a time and run very slowly 🐌. This builds up your muscles and stamina. Drink lots of water on rest and run days! Keep posting and we will keep cheering you onwards! Welcome to the best decision you can ever make. Enjoy the journey 😁

[Noodle2 in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you, I did enjoy it, though did wonder how I could run for longer than 60 seconds 🤣 x

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate in reply to Noodle2]

😀 you will!!

[Over62]

Great advice above, follow the programme and enjoy 😊

[Noodle2 in reply to Over62]

👍

[Kyle8 Graduate]

Congrats on starting! Go at your own pace and just try and get out there even on the days you might not feel like it. I think sometimes just putting on your running shoes and committing to doing it is half the battle. I’ve only just finished week 6 but I’ve seen so much progress and you will too... even when it feels tough, you’ll surprise yourself with what you can achieve. You’ve got this! 💪🏼

[Noodle2 in reply to Kyle8]

I hope so, I am excited about being able to run, and just generally being fitter xx

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great for getting started. 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 😊😊

[Noodle2 in reply to Buddy34]

👍

[Snowgdss]

Congratulations and well done! I’ve only just started (finished just 2 of week 1) as well. As others here have said stay slow. 😀

[Noodle2 in reply to Snowgdss]

Well done, I’m not going to get another run in till Wednesday now, I’m aiming for Monday Wednesday and Friday 👍

[Snowgdss in reply to Noodle2]

You’ve got this!

[Noodle2 in reply to Snowgdss]

👍

[Alast]

Two well done's (so far) from me, well done for getting out there and starting, and well done for joining this community and telling us about it. I'm only at the end of week three, I say 'only', maybe I should change that to 'amazingly'? When I started I struggled to string 2 x 60 second runs together even with the planned walk, now I've been able to run for more than 3 minutes! This program is excellent, and the advice and support you'll get from the community on here is second to none. As others have already said, take things slowly, it might be running, but it's not a race (that was the first lesson I learned). Don't get hung up on distance either (I know this goes hand in hand with speed), the programme title is a bit misleading, when you reach the end of it you will be running non-stop for 30 minutes, you will probably not have run foranywhere near 5km (the 2nd lesson I learned). Take it at your own pace, make sure you use the rest days, do drink plenty of water and please keep posting on here to tell us how you're doing.

[Noodle2 in reply to Alast]

Thank you, I will, I do drink a lot water, a habit I got into when I did joe wicks 90 plan earlier in the year and have stuck with it, I’m going at it positively so fingers crossed x

[RunningMigster Graduate]

One good tip that I took from here, is to have your kit ready and laid out the day before.

In my case I run earlier on a morning and somehow, knowing its all there waiting, makes it harder to come up with a good excuse to stay in bed!

The same psychology I'm sure would work if you come home from work and it's there looking at you.

[Noodle2 in reply to RunningMigster]

Someone also told me to get up and put your gym kit straight on, so I might try that as well, I always get round to doing a workout!! But the procrastination before hand is terrible, so it’s worth go, thanks 😊

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

I started 3 weeks ago and my top tip is slow, slow slow!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and is full of tips

Enjoy your journey.

[Onewomanscrusade Graduate]

Good on you for starting! My tip is not to look ahead at your next run, just turn up and do it! I think I would have talked myself out of going otherwise

[Puppy-love Graduate]

You’ve done the hardest run of all. Getting out there the first time is such a great achievement. As I’m sure others have said, take it slow and then a bit slower. Speed will come later. The programme is a little bit of magic. It really does work. Keep us updated about your progress. 👏👏

[Noodle2 in reply to Puppy-love]

👍