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[Hopefulhyothyroidmum]

Starting tomorrow and feeling nervous and apprehensive! Where does everyone else run, on grass or road?

I am worried about looking like a big fat idiot and not being able to do it. Might get up at 4am to get it done!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fattyboomboom73]

I’m only in week 1 & I do look like a fat idiot running, (I can’t run yet I go backwards I’m that slow) it gets my heart racing so that will do for me. I run on pavement I’ve found it easier than grass (too many bumps). Just go for it! Don’t worry what other people think, you are taking the plunge and starting! It’s not easy if you read my posts you’ll see I’m struggling but not giving up. We all start somewhere. The end of it you will probably be knackered but happy with yourself that feeling is unreal! Good luck and keep us updated 🥰🥰

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

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.

[Queenie17 Graduate]

I think everyone feels the same when theyre starting out. Take your time, make sure you drink water before(and during if you need to)its your journey, your way🏃🏃🏃you can do it👍

[Emcg51]

Please don’t worry or put yourself down, no matter how self conscious you may feel you are starting something amazing and are better than you were when you were still sat on the couch!

No one cares what you look like, run for you - and it doesn’t even have to be a run as you know it, a jog or a slow shuffle is absolutely fine, you will find your own pace. 😁

I could barely breathe after the first 60 second run on week 1, now I am on week 8 but still doing my slow shuffle, but I’m doing it and it’s all that matters.

My biggest tip is to really walk as briskly as you can so that the transition to the first run is easier, and run as slowly as you can manage to begin with.

You can do it, we’re all here for you 💚

[Busykj]

Good luck - I did my first 2 weeks really early and it helped I think as I didn’t worry how out of puff I looked :). I run on path and grass

[sapphire309]

I run on the roads because I live in a suburb with no parks near me. I totally share in your anxiety though, I try to run in quieter streets so that fewer people will see me! I also wear a cap pulled down low so even fewer people recognise me.

What you’re doing by starting this is so brave and you won’t regret it! I’m on Week 5 (can’t believe it myself) but I had to take 2 weeks off for injury. I’m so glad I started this journey and this forum is great for support. I believe in you!!

[CatV22]

Every time you go out you’ll care less about who sees you. When you do begin to look up instead of at the floor (this week for me - week 4), you’ll see people giving you a nod or a smile. It makes me wonder how many of them are actually on the same path. There’s so many people new to running under this lockdown - now is the time to join the masses 💪🏼

[liz163]

Ah good luck .. take your time and you’ll enjoy it ☺️ I run on roads and lucky to have a park just up from me so I mix it up between road and park. I go first thing around 7am and not many out as I was like you conscious of what people thought but now just finished week 6 and dont care if I look slower than slow as I’m doing it and loving it!!! Good luck and go nice and slowly 😊

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

Well done you for taking the first step, we all felt apprehensive when we started, music with a good beat helps. I run on roads and would suggest you look for a route with no hills if you can. Jog slowly so you retain enough energy to do it comfortably.....Good Luck and enjoy the feeling you get when you’ve completed it, there’s nothing like it !

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

Welcome 😊

[SweatyHettie Graduate]

👋🏼hi-as you will have seen from everyone else, the hard bit is going out the door- after that it’s a breeze- well not exactly but you know what I mean! Literally no one is watching you but if you smile people usually smile and nod back. When I see people walking then running in their Lycra now I think, oh they must be doing the intervals in C25K!

I started in lockdown and luckily live next to our golf course which was closed so that was my playground at first. It also meant I could bring the dog and she did her thing while I did mine! But as the runs got longer i couldn’t keep an eye on her snuffling around in the bushes so I left her behind and hit the road. Now I mainly run on the pavement or along the beach which has a rough pebbly path until you get to the prom then it’s smooth. I liked the grass at first but I’m actually OK with the pavement.

Best of luck and we are all behind you! Steady and slow and you’ll be fine!