New challenges

[Jansey]

Hi. Happy New Year to everyone out there. I've always been quite active but don't usually enjoy exercise for it's own sake and have never been a fan of running. However, I've decided to fight the aging process and get back to skiing. It's only been three years but the body has deteriorated a lot! C25k seems a good way to start. I tried yesterday and struggled with the runs so I think I'll take a couple of weeks to get going by doing 30 minutes of brisk walking and build in runs until I can complete the first 'week'. Does this seem reasonable? Does anyone have other suggestions? All advice gratefully received.

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

Well done for starting but dont have that break of walking - the magic rule here is to start slow and go slower. You aim just to be running for 30mins by week 9 - speed and distance dont come into it. Slow right down to conversation pace, if it appears your running is slower than your walking to begin with that's fine, it's the movement that counts. Read the posts, post your own progress and enjoy the process. Happy running

[Jansey in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you. I'll give that a go. I may have been trying to run to fast.

[Grannyhugs Graduate in reply to Jansey]

Many people do. You'll find the go slow mantra repeated again and again. It helps you to have energy for the rest of the day and leaves you looking forward to the next run 🙆‍♀️👍😀

[Speedy60 Graduate in reply to Jansey]

Also helps with avoiding injury 👍

[LeeU Graduate]

As Grannyhugs says, slow and steady will get you running 30 minutes 3 times per week and you can do it in 9 weeks but you don't have to.

When you see or hear the program say run, think more of a slow jog, even if that jog is slower than walking, that's fine.

Post up your progress, questions, concerns, etc, we are a helpful bunch and will provide support, encouragement and answers where we can.

One last thing and one of the things I love about running, you never have a failed run, the only failed run is one is one you fail to go out for. A run is a run, if you go out to do week 1 run 2 for instance and you don't quite get the results you wanted, then you practiced it, have a rest day and go out and try it again. Never beat yourself up for not getting the results you wanted from a run either.

[Jansey in reply to LeeU]

Thank you. I walk my dogs most days so brisk walking doesn't feel like much of a challenge. Slow jogging sounds a much more positive goal. I'll try that tomorrow.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well doneon your decision.

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

If you can brisk walk for thirty minutes then you are ready to start. Just remember that your jogging speed does not have to be faster than your brisk walk. This is about endurance, not speed.

Enjoy your journey.

[Jansey in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for you advice. I've read the guide and will try again tomorrow. This forum is proving very helpful and I only started yesterday. Gives off lots of positive energy!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great for getting started. 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.

You may have been going far too fast when you first tried . Go out again wk1r1 it just takes a bit of practice.

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

[Jansey in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you. I think I did go too fast. I was thinking of speed rather than the different motion involved with running (I. e. both feet off the ground). I'll try again tomorrow. Everyone is very encouraging.

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Just keep going. Don't worry about 'weeks', repeat each one as much you need to - we've all done it.

Have a look on YouTube at Japanese slow running, it got me through the first weeks.

Good luck 👍