Am I stupid for trying C25K for a mid-life crisis?

[Reggit]

I blame the lockdown, most of my work is now from the shed (converted) or van. However my days are a lot more structured than normal, where I could be anywhere in the NW England.

Decided to start having a lunchtime walk, it’s really hilly here so gets the heart working, I’d set myself a challenge of being able to walk from home to the trig point on top of the local fell, about 10 miles, by the end of the lockdown. Completed that last week in about 2.5 hours (long lunch break). I’d been debating trying C25K for a couple of years, happened to be driving past a local cycle/walking route yesterday and thought let’s just go for it, so dressed in unsuitable attire, work shirt and trousers and walking boots I attempted W1 D1. Think I missed one of the sections, the app crashed or I cancelled it in my pocket so resorted to setting timers to get it about right.

End result - I was nearly dead! Haha. Today leg muscles are proper aching and I’ve got a stiff ankle. Having read the guides after trying to kill myself, I realise I was trying to go too fast (I think) and walking boots probably not the best footwear (ordered some cheapish trainers to get me by until the shops reopen).

I’ve tried running in my youth and have it up as a bad job, I’ll have to see how the next few days go....

Anyway, that’s the long introduction from this 51 year old 100kg 6’ bloke who refuses to grow up!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started

Sounds like you read the guide healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

but worth following advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[Metallikat Graduate]

I’m 48 and this is my first time doing it as well. I just complete W1R3 this morning. My legs killed on R1 - I had to wait 2 days before trying the second run. I went to hard and fast. Take it slow and I’m sure those trainers will help. Good luck with the second run

[Jillb141 Graduate]

I'm 62 with leg problems, on wk6 run 3 now. You really do have to stretch after a run/jog or trot and go slow.

My trainers reebok floatrider £50, are decent to start with, when shops open I'm going to a proper running shop to get some better ones. I also where orthotics in my shoes which made a massive difference to my shins.

[Dolphin-Girl]

Always good to try something new. If you can walk that long you have more stamina than me and I'm up to week 3.

The stretching afterwards is also really important, and the knee exercises help too.

Good luck!!

You can do this!!!!

[Hidden]

I think C25K is the perfect response to a mid life crisis, or a lockdown or perhaps most things. This forum is full of 50 somethings who continue to act like teenagers

[Emcg51]

Definitely the right thing to do, definitely the wrong way to start! The best advice I got on here was to slow the ‘run’ right down to slower than you even think possible, and increase the brisk walk to ask brisk as you can. Take it easy on yourself and you’ll be fine. Just don’t go buying a sports car in the meantime 😂

[Hidden in reply to Emcg51]

Or leather trousers

[Emcg51 in reply to Hidden]

🤣

[Emcg51 in reply to Hidden]

Does this mean this is my (51) mid life crisis too? 😜

[Reggit Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Already got those leather trousers 😂. I ride a motorbike, and no that wasn’t another midlife crisis 😂

[Hidden in reply to Reggit]

🤷‍♀️

[Cath075 Graduate]

Never too old or young or whatever. It’s good for all ages. No matter what the reason 😊

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

I agree, age is irrelevant, trying to be healthier can only be a positive thing 😊

[Reggit Graduate]

Haha, plenty of people doing similar at similar ages then 😂.

Thanks for all the comments, I’m sure I’ll need encouragement in the weeks to come! Let’s see what tomorrow or Thursday brings, hoping for tomorrow if thighs let me!

[Reggit Graduate]

Had to force myself out for the second ever run as my thighs where still aching from the first run. New (2nd hand) trainers arrived as I was procrastinating so that gave me the impetus I needed.

This run was easier, I have to keep making myself shorten my stride length. Sure that’s where I went wrong last time.

I use Strava alongside the C25K app and can see that I slowed the run sections by around 20s/mile, I managed to complete the full time so the average pace actually increased.

Quite pleased today that I still feel functional.

2nd hand trainers cost £20 on eBay and look like they’ve never been used. Nike revolution 3. Happy with those as well.

[Smelliepoo Graduate]

Definitely not stupid! Well done. Better shoes (careful with cheap trainers) and slow down are good pointers, but stretching and hydrating are absolutely key too, make sure you are drinking a lot of water and stretch a lot when you get home too, really helps with the muscle ache. Well done and keep it up! X