Wanting to get started!

[KerriKerri]

Hello all! I’m new here and have seen some of your posts. You’re all inspiring! I’m wanting to begin my couch to 5k journey ASAP. I wondered if any of you had any hints or tips for me? Things I should think about or anywhere I can look for help and advice? I have anxiety, and one of the things which is causing me stress is planning my route. I plan to start in my local area just running on the paths but don’t want to end up running in circles because I don’t know what I’m doing ha. I have signed up to parkrun as well, and would like to actually turn up to one even if I end up walking most of it.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your decision.

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

You could use an ordnance survey map to plan a route, this could be with an old fashioned paper map, or on a free app like Maverick.

It might put you at ease if you walked your route before you start.

Enjoy your journey.

[Maz1234 Graduate]

Hi Kerri when ever I go out running I tend to just do a loop around so I do go in a big circle. Map my run as runs on of your local area also from other runners who have uploaded there route just make sure if you download the app then you allow the gps. You can get plenty of advice either from this forum from experienced runners or fellow runners who are following c25k themselves I also look online a lot there’s plenty websites about. Good luck with your c25k.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome. Great advice above already.

In theory at least, there’s no need to plan a route... you can just run a footpath until the half way point (there’s a bell in the one you C25K app at this point) and then turn around and run back. I sometimes do this if I’m not running circuits so that I don’t have to think about how fast I’ll be running for a timed run.

[KerriKerri]

Thank you everyone for your replies xx

[Alast]

Welcome to the gang KerriKerri. I'm a pavement runner too and just set off from my house and head away from it. When you listen to the app, you not only get told when to walk & when to run, there is also a useful bell that rings half way through so I just use that as my turn-around signal. Good luck with your adventure and please let us know how you get on. This is a wonderfully supportive group.

[Moosey60]

Welcome.Kerri. I started in this forum yesterday and am on my fourth week running. I also suffer from anxiety and am trying to cope, running really helps. Good luck and don't give up 😃