Noobie worried the couch may miss her - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Noobie worried the couch may miss her

Lokiamericanbully profile image

Sooo I decided this morning to start the ct5k and have set my start date for Saturday am very nervous about this due to several reasons

1 I'm very overweight so everything jiggling about when I try and run is going to be very of putting for myself and observers.

2 I'm very unfit so am worried I will not last 10 seconds let alone 5k

3 after trying to run I collapse and husband has to come rescue me and wheel me home in the wheelie bin

Joking aside I am worried about starting it but really want to get fitter. It be nice to take the dog for a run daily. Plus I'm hoping it will improve my mental health as well. I've found recently that I can achieve things if I set my mind to it and my willpower is getting better after 20 years I have finally given up smoking So I need to find a new addiction 😉

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Lokiamericanbully profile image
Lokiamericanbully
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14 Replies
AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Good luck for your running journey with C25K, you won't collapse and have to get your husband to come and get you and wheel you home in a brown wheel bin lol, as long as you follow the program rigidity, don't run on consecutive days, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, 2/3 litres of water a day is recommended, however, even I don't drink just as much as that a day, nevertheless keep well hydrated, good luck for Saturday, slow and steady is the mantra slogan here on C25K.

ForestGrump63 profile image
ForestGrump63Graduate

You’ll love the sense of achievement finishing each week gives you. Go slow and when you think you’re going really slow, slow down some more. Remember the majority of people don’t reach 5k by the end it’s really couch 2 30 minutes and that’s a massive achievement. I’m doing it for the second time due to not running regularly for 9 months and putting on a stone in lockdown. I’m a lot more patient with myself this time regarding distance covered in each run. It’s a fab programme go for it 👍

SweatyHettie profile image
SweatyHettieGraduate

Do you know,I’m actually envious of you ...starting for the first time tomorrow just as I finish the programme. There is so much to look forward to! 😊I’m not gonna lie, at times it’s hard and you have to dig deep, but the sense of achievement each week does wonders for your confidence in running ... not to mention your mental health. Just getting out there in the fresh air helps too. If I could offer you any advice other than the usual hydration stretches etc it would be ... slow slow slow!! 🐌 And have a great playlist going - I couldn’t have done this without my music 🎧 But most of all -enjoy! This is a great place for advice and encouragement so let us know how you’re getting on! You’ve made the first decision to do it now do the other hard bit - step outside your door tomorrow. Go for it!!

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Welcome to the forum and well done on your intention

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

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

Enjoy your journey.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Welcome and well done you.. many have felt like you and worried, usually about collapsing in the first seconds...some even running near hospitals or GP surgery just in case!

Do check out this essential reading.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Take it slow and steady and do keep posting your runs for terrific support and encouragement:)

SB1724 profile image
SB1724

I’m not many weeks ahead of you. Has been 30 years since I could call myself ‘fit’ and although i’m not there yet, I can feel it coming

I’m 55, with lots of jiggly bits, was also worried about what I look like, what people think. After Wk1R1 I forgot all about it. I stopped fiddling with my top, my music, wondering what the Ap would do next, wondering where to go, .... key is to just go for it!!! Water water water the day before (wine isn’t water) 😢 , check in with this forum afterwards and tell us all how you’ve done! The forum is fab if you need spurring on.

God luck! 🏃‍♀️👵🏻

John_W profile image
John_WGraduateAmbassador

Watch this carefully and take note:

youtube.com/watch?v=9L2b2kh...

RunningMigster profile image
RunningMigsterGraduate

Welcome to the gang.

What a great decision you've made.

I think the guys above have really covered everything. The only thing I would add, is that I found it helpful to post after every run.

Not only does it help to keep you accountable, but the guys on here are a massive source of help when you need it most.

Remember the rule, there is no such thing as a fail. If you start a run, but can't make it to the end, its just a practice. But the people on here will pick up your spirits and get you in the right frame of mind to go again.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on

Mig

SandraY1 profile image
SandraY1Graduate

Welcome. As everyone had already said don’t run to fast. Embrace the inner snail 🐌 it will be your best friend.

Couchphoenix profile image
CouchphoenixGraduate

I felt very self conscious about running outdoors, so when I started I decided to run at 6am, you have the streets to yourself the air at that time of day is clean and pure, plus it’s much cooler too. Just a thought. Good luck for Saturday, you’ll be fine, as others have said, jog slowly so you preserve enough energy to get you through. Slow and steady all the way 👍

Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduate

Don’t worry about your weight, I too am overweight and I’ve managed fine, just follow the instructions given by the app and you’ll be fine 😊

Thank you all for the helpful comments I posted this in the middle of an insomnia bout so I was sleep deprived when I thought I could do this....but to hell with it I can only try..right.so saturday I will begin and will update you all of what happened I may even make the dog come with me 😀

Taragreen01 profile image
Taragreen01Graduate

Well done for getting here!! You have done the hardest part already...deciding to do it! I was super unfit on the first run, could barely breath...but I could see I was gradually getting better and fitter and stopped caring about the wobbly bits and also realised nobody was watching me! Just keep going, you will see how your body doesn’t fail you. I look forward to hearing more about you are getting on! Keep going x

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Graduate

Congratulations on making the decision to improve your physical and mental health. 👏

I doubt when you're out and about that you stare at other people. Well, they're really not staring at you either! That's all in your head - don't let it distract you.

I started couch to 5k going out in my baggiest clothes and running nowhere near the road where I live. It probably took me two runs to give that up. I was so intent on the running that I just didn't have the energy to worry about 'other people'.

Since then I've become a regular sight in my road - little grey haired lady coming through! Two of my neighbours are actually envious that I run, and a lady across from me says I've inspired her to start running during lockdown (although saying, if you can do it, anyone can wasn't quite the reaction I'd hoped for 😉).

It goes to show, you never know what people are thinking - it's probably not what you think they're thinking. 🤪

Good luck for your first run. 👍

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