Never too old I hope!

[Big-kid]

Hi all, I'm 72, just finished prostate cancer hormone treatment and 20 radio therapy sessions. Put on some weight around my middle (was 12 1/2 stone, now 13 5) so couch to 5k seemed the way to go. On day 1 had to walk the 3rd run but day 2 & 3 completed as instructed but recovery very slow. Feel I should repeat week 1 again. Doing this with my wife who seems to recover a little quicker than me. Being an ex smoker may be my problem. any sugestions appreciated.

[Sbegin]

Hey there, congrats on finishing you're treatment. I would may start Active10 for a few weeks. Just to build some fitness up first. You have been through alot. Be kind to yourself. Start with Active 10, after a few weeks start the running again. Good luck

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

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

and includes the advice to repeat any session you do not complete.

You need to slow down to the recommended easy conversational pace.

Enjoy your journey.

[Lizzisforliving Graduate]

Hi Big-kid,

I started C25K in September 2017 which was eleven months after I finished radiotherapy (I'd also had chemo), so if you've just finished I imagine you're still feeling quite fatigued. It is not a race or any kind of competition, so try not to be disheartened if the runner in your head is not the one who puts his shoes on and gets out there.

At first I found it so hard, and willed Michael Johnson to let me stop. I didn't complete Week 1 Run 1 on my first attempt and injured my foot in about Week 5, so I restarted from scratch in November that year and it was already a tiny bit easier. So, maybe repeat Week 1 to give yourself a bit of encouragement but either way, don't expect to find it easy or comfortable, just feel really proud when you achieve just a tiny improvement.

Even when I graduated in January 2018 I hadn't run 5k and only kept going until the 30 minutes had elapsed. Anyway, I kept running three times a week, slowly getting to 5k. Sometimes I had to stop but mostly I managed to complete that distance on most runs. In time I found that I could run further, and even occasionally faster. I still haven't done 5k in 30 minutes, but I'm enough of a runner that I am going out every day during lockdown (only doing 1 - 2k).

Good luck, and I hope you keep at it - it is so rewarding, and the community here is wonderful.

Love Lizz

[Big-kid Graduate]

Thank you all for your comments and advice, I'll be taking it all onboard and look forward to the challenge.

It's a shame it took this lock down to galvanise me into something I should have done years ago.

I have a son who completed an Ironman a couple of years back and went along to support him and saw first hand the camaraderie and enthusiasm of not only the competitors but the family and friends of those taking part.

Caught up in the atmosphere and excitement of the day should have made me more aware of my lack of fitness but it took what has happened to me and the current situation to do it.

Still, better late than never I guess

Thank you all again.

[Big-kid Graduate]

Recovery time a lot better now, have repeated week 1 and slowed the pace down.

Week 2 looming on wednesday!

Not noticed any weight loss yet due to over indulgence of easter eggs!!