NEW RUNNERS???

[VallieB]

I want to start Couch to 5K, I'm 64. My husband wants to join me, he is 71. Neither of us has done exercise since school. I'm a stone overweight, he's about two stone over. We do walk two labradors every day, up to two hours sometimes. Any comments or tips out there. I'm a bit nervous!!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome. You guys can do this!

Have a read of the guide to the plan which contains lots of advice and helpful links healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

The main thing is to run nice and slowly so that you can hold a conversation as you run... which maybe easy to test doing this as a couple. You’ll no doubt find that this pace differs between the two of you, the slowest of them is the one to run at.

Enjoy your journey and come back often to tell us how it’s going.

[SandraY1 Graduate]

Welcome. Just take it new and slow. This advice is given to everyone no matter your age. Be friends with your inner tortoise 🐢 this will be your best friend. Take the plan at your our pace, 9 weeks is fluid. If you wish to repeat runs you can. The aim of the programme is to get you to running 🏃‍♀️ for 30 minutes nonstop.

[VallieB in reply to SandraY1]

Thank you. I'm going to start on Friday !!

[John_W Graduate]

You're a great position to start. Remember this is designed so you start from the couch (ie no fitness whatsoever) so it should be very gentle. As long as you take it nice and easy you'll be fine. Trust the program!

[VallieB in reply to John_W]

Thank you

[Blossom- Graduate]

I'm 65 fast approaching 66. I just did week 8 run 2 this morning (28 mins)! I just go slow and steady and a couple of runs ago realised that I actually enjoy this pleasant plod that I do. And you get such a great sense of achievement, it truly is amazing. Go for it!

[VallieB in reply to Blossom-]

I'm starting to look forward to it now!

[Frissels Graduate]

Hello VallieB. I’m also 64, obese and hadn’t run since school. My husband is 73, overweight and at the same level of fitness as me. We started Couch to 5K 5 weeks ago.

This morning was week 5, run 2. For the first time, I went on my own because my husband’s asthma wasn’t great. I would never have believed I could run 8 minutes twice five weeks ago. I have been able to complete each run and feel such a sense of satisfaction afterwards. The first run was by far the worst for me, but once I realised I could do it, I was fine.

My advice would be to go as slowly as you can, be well hydrated and invest in a good sports bra!

[VallieB in reply to Frissels]

Thank you. I'm quite a big girl, and do have a good sport bra as I did a tiny bit of aerobics a couple of years ago!! My husband was keen to hear that a 73 year old is doing C25K. Going to start on Friday!!

[DenLawley]

Hi I’m 56 and lots overweight! But completed first week and now on second week x I agree with everyone, take it slow and steady . First week was ok enjoyed it! Harder this week as back is playing up as it does but not giving in ! Good luck ! X

[VallieB in reply to DenLawley]

Thank you, can't wait now I've geared myself up ...

[Delgirl82]

Just do it. I thought about it fir a few weeks after my husband started doing it. Then decided I’d try thinking I’d never be able to do it. Shock horror I’m on week 6 and find I can do it. 🐌 pace but what the heck I’m out there jogging def not running.

Echo all the others advice.

Log onto gear and get great support and belief.

Good luck you’ll be great. I am 65 and very overweight hoping the weight will go !!

[VallieB in reply to Delgirl82]

Yay, well done, thanks for the encouragement😁

[DenLawley in reply to Delgirl82]

Have you managed to lose any weight over the 6 week run? Xx

[Delgirl82 in reply to DenLawley]

Very little but I’ll take any crumb !!

[DenLawley in reply to Delgirl82]

I’m with you there ! 😃x

[Suestudy Graduate]

Slow and steady is the way to go, I see a lady every morning on my run and she’s 79 😀 so yes of course you can do it at any age. Congratulations on taking the first step! And good luck x

[VallieB in reply to Suestudy]

Thank you, I'm going to start on Friday, kinda looking forward to it!

[Chris274 Graduate]

I completed the programme this morning aged 72. I have never run before but can honestly say that the programme is so well structured that you and your husband will be fine. Good luck to you both.

[VallieB in reply to Chris274]

Thank you for your best wishes.

[B14v Graduate]

Set your mind to it and keep positive

It’s a good idea to do the Strength and Flexibility programme with it

[VallieB in reply to B14v]

I thought about doing that, thank you for the advice

[CouchCake]

I’m five stone overweight and am currently on week 5 of couch to 5k. I can’t recommend it highly enough. It really does take you from zero fitness and you can genuinely feel small improvements week by week. Every week I’ve thought “I’ll never manage the next week” and every week I have. Take it slowly, trust the process and enjoy!!

[VallieB in reply to CouchCake]

Are you losing any weight?

[CouchCake in reply to VallieB]

I have lost a stone so far, but to be honest I think that is currently more diet than exercise. I think the exercise will come into its own a bit more once im regularly running for a bit longer. Right now the C25K is about fitness for me and the diet is about weight loss. But having those two things alongside each other is helping to keep me motivated

[VallieB in reply to CouchCake]

I think that's true, I'm hoping to get into the right mindset to lose some more weight. Good luck

[Delgirl82 in reply to CouchCake]

Me to. Well done it’s fab isn’t it. I secretly look forward to the next run /jog