Hey 👋

[Amethyst27]

Im starting on monday, any tips for someone who hasnt been active for a while and is there own worse enemy in thinking i cant do anything!

[Skito1]

Only tip I can give is don’t compare yourself to others. Take it at your own pace. It’s taken me months to get to where I am, and everybody has hurdles, has to restart, maybe do a few extra repeat runs, or even take breaks! It’s easy to be daunted, you just have to take it one run at a time. I’m so bad at getting myself to go, but it only takes a few runs for you to get the bug, and then you start looking forward to running, which was an insane thought to me a few months back! I also like to track my progress - MapMyRun for every run, take some pictures, write about how it went. It’s nice to look back on your achievements. And don’t get disheartened if you struggle!! All you can do is try again. Good luck!!!

[Amethyst27 in reply to Skito1]

Thankyou for the advice, i do feel excited at the thought of starting so fingers crossed it lasts for when i start monday!

[CSH57 Graduate]

Hi

Take it really slow and see what feels ok. If you can chat to yourself then you’re at the right pace.

Good luck, and I’m sure there’ll be more replies cos this forum is very friendly and helpful!

[Amethyst27 in reply to CSH57]

Thankyou! It does seem very friendly here!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on starting C25K and welcome to the forum, just take all the runs slowly, you can repeat any runs or week's if you wish to, don't run on consecutive days because that could cause a injury, that is the most important rule, good luck for your running journey with C25K 😊 🏃🏾 👍

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your decision.

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

you may also find it helpful to follow the link in the guide to the post about mental approach.

You can do this!

Enjoy your journey.

[Workingathome Graduate]

Good luck and the best tip I have is for you to keep checking in on this forum, the hints and tips and the support will help you keep going

[Twinklestarr]

Hi. I started on Wednesday. I’m 55, overweight, feeling unhealthy and am really good at thinking I should do something and talking myself out of it! 🤦‍♀️ I’m not sure I have any tips as such other than to tell yourself to get on with it! I out off doing day 2 from Fri to Sat and was tempted to put it off again! But I knew if I did, I’d feel bad failing to ‘get on with it’ and giving in to that mindset which has become a trap. Don’t frustrate yourself. Just do it. You CAN do it and feel better. 💪🙌

[Amethyst27 in reply to Twinklestarr]

Thankyou, i do this to myself all the time but im hoping to make this a change this time! I need it for my mental health as well as my physical health! Hope you get on well too! Let me know how your getting on 😊 x

[Sparkey5000 Graduate]

Set yourself a date for running and stick to it. Don’t let excuses creep in. Stay nice and steady. You got this and you’ll be so proud of yourself after every run!

[Oldwoman65 Graduate]

Hi I found I'm best if I get up and go. I look forward to being outside on my own. Take it real slow. I keep saying to myself, "I can do this" I have found it hard to stick to stuff in the past, but this has been great. I'm doing run 3 week 9 tomorrow. I started just before my 65th birthday on February. Good luck. I feeling of achievement after a run is great

[Exthaiboxer Graduate]

One I have which sometimes does get overlooked is create yourself the best playlist to run to. I find if that if i love every track on it I can keep going as I can loose myself in the music but if there is one or more tracks on it that i'm not feeling I can get distracted or not enjoy the run as much. Choose music that you know motivates and pumps you up or just makes you really happy regardless of genre rather than pre compiled playlists.

[Dozydora61 Graduate]

Take it slowly, when it's tough go slower, repeat weeks if you need to. You are in control of putting one foot in front of the other, that's all it is. I started at 61 having not even run at school and I have run 10 k twice this month.

[Madgey Graduate]

My tips - wear good shoes, have music on and push through - I always found it better to keep going ie not stop running even if very slowly. I always found it difficult to start again (unless Laura was telling me to). And don't be intimidated by other runners - most runners are only too pleased to see someone else joining the community.

[Curnie1]

Just go at your own pace and enjoy it, good luck

[timlesvagues]

Good luck. You are starting a journey. There will be some set backs but persevere and you'll get there. One thing to be aware of is tgat the first run of the new week often feels really hard but it gets easier as you do runs 2 and 3. Just don't worry - you will be able to do it.

[jsh2803 Graduate]

As has been said the biggest decision is too start so that's done, my experience was stick the the same days I did Sun / Tues / Thurs ... with one change around week 8 due to work commitments, The other key for me was pace .... slower is better ... and still going 4 months post graduation

[Amethyst27]

So ive just done my first run and im surprised by myself, i did and didn’t quit! Yayy! Roll on my next one!