Trying to get my groove back...

[Kermit42]

Hi, newbie here. I want to take positive action against my bad habits. I am very unfit and starting to worry about which route to take and when best to run🤦‍♀️ Can this be done on a treadmill initially?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done

on your decision.

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

and includes advice on many aspects of the plan , including running on a treadmill.........running is running, wherever you do it.

Enjoy your journey.

[Kermit42 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

👍 thank you

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Treadmill , yes. Just go slow and slower again if needed and remember to drink lots of water per day and not just on run days about 2-3 litres it really helps.

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

[Kermit42 in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you

[RunningMigster Graduate]

Well done for starting and welcome to the gang.

You'll find that everybody does their own thing. Some on treadmill only, some outside only and some do a bit of both.

Do what works for you. They most important lesson to learn, is that whatever you do, start very slow. Dont get hung up on speed or distance. Just do the minutes!

Let us know how you get on

Mig

[Kermit42 in reply to RunningMigster]

Thank you, you are right. Pacing is a big thing. If I went too quickly I would be prone to give up.

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Kermit42]

It's a bigger thing than I realised. I thought I understood 'slow', but it took me 4 or 5 weeks before it really sunk in. I'm a slow learner 😆

[Jacca Graduate]

👋 kermit42!! Do this anyway you prefer- weather not exactly on our side this time of year . I've never tried treadmill but I know I hate running near road!! Love woods and nature reserves although I’m fed up of having wet feet!! Good luck with your c25k journey 😁

[Kermit42 in reply to Jacca]

Hi, again never considered wet feet 🤭

[Smelliepoo Graduate]

Hi kermit! Miss piggy is around here somewhere too!

Well done for making the decision! Everyone does this differently and so you should do what feels right for you.

I do find that trails and paths are more fun, but in the weather we are having I have found it very difficult to get motivated to go out!

[Kermit42 in reply to Smelliepoo]

I do love the outdoors, I think I’m going to try both. I may get bored just doing the treadmill. Key is not to fall over on leaves and so on 😂

[Smelliepoo Graduate in reply to Kermit42]

A mixture of both would also work! Use the trails on good dys and treadmill when outside is nasty!

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Hi, welcome aboard. I prefer running outdoors, but it's perfectly to do the programme on a treadmill.

If you do decide run outside, do make especially sure you have good shoes that won't slip on wet leaves etc at this time of year. Try walking your route and see how you feel. To begin with I'd suggest running on the flat. I soon discovered that paths I'd always thought were flat suddenly developed hills! They can be a killer, but later on they're great for building stamina and fitness.

Good luck whatever you decide. I look forward to reading your journey. 👍

[Kermit42 in reply to Speedy60]

Hi, thanks for suggesting walking the route first, what a great idea. So glad I found this community. Thank you 🙏

[Reviewer2000 Graduate]

Congratulations for taking that first big step. I completed the programme recently, but am still repeating that last run until I feel more comfortable about it. I would say do whatever is easiest for you. I’ve not tried a treadmill partly because I worry about pacing and having to adjust the machinery. But all of my 9 weeks have been spent running in a circle, because I prefer not having to make decisions. Around football pitches, cricket grounds, and most recently a common that seems to have good drainage so my feet don’t get too wet. But! You can always just run in a line because at the halfway mark a bell always rings, so you know when to turn around and follow the same route back. Good luck!

[Kermit42 in reply to Reviewer2000]

Thank you. This has made me think about driving somewhere to do my run. I can’t avoid hills where I live and I need all the help I can get 😁

[Speedy60 Graduate in reply to Reviewer2000]

I find if I do circuits, my big decision is not to stop every time I pass the car😉. I do have one large circuit I like; it's just over 1k, flat and great for doing intervals because I can judge my timings fairly accurately. My c25k was done one one large 5k circuit. I just walked the rest home after my time ran out.

Lots of options Kermit42!

[Alast]

Although I started C25K a few months ago, I class myself as a newbie having stalled a few times in my journey as far as W4 R1 so far. Well done for deciding to do this, and well done for joining this community, you'll get great advice and support from everyone. I'm an early in the morning outdoors runner myself for two reasons, firstly because that's the easiest way I can fit it into my day, but also because I'm no athlete and feel very self conscious about what I must look like! Just do what suits you best is what I would advise and post you progress (plus any questions you may have) on here, your new friends will respond I am sure.