I'm a Newby!

[Little_lizzie]

hi all!

Today was my first day, I'm not gunna lie, it was hard, I struggled with the running, unable to do the full 60 seconds which I'm gutted about but I'm gonna dwell on it, it's gonna get easier... right??

Any tips are welcomed!

I'm going for as long as I can run in the 60 seconds, and I'll speed walk the rest.. till I get get into the swing of it..

Love having Sarah Millican as my coach, she's brill!

I'm in Pudsey, Leeds, so I used the canal tow path... its flat, not busy and lots to see... cows, geese, swans.. lovely...

I love the fact you get told you're half way through so you can turn back and you'll arrive at your starting point for the end!

Definitely taking a drink with me on my next workout on Saturday.

[nowster Graduate]

If you're properly hydrated the day before you don't need to take anything with you. Besides, it's weight you shouldn't need to carry.

Well done on getting out the door. It'll be easier when the temperatures drop in a few days.

As to it getting easier... yes it does and no it doesn't.

Yes, your body adapts to what you've just done so that stage becomes easier.

On the "no" side, the course adds difficulty as you progress to stretch your abilities.

Eight weeks ago, there's absolutely no way I could have run the 25 minutes I did this morning.

Take it slowly. You're out for a jog, not running a race. You can repeat a day's runs as many times as you like until you're confident you can progress.

Feel free to moan about your runs here. There are sympathetic ears.

[Bogshuffler Graduate]

HI Lizzie,

Well done! As nowster says make sure that you hydrate well in in the day and hours before going out and you shouldn't need a drink in the half hour you are out. With respect to doing the 60 seconds---make sure that you start slowly, the running pace should be barely more than your speed walking pace. See my post of yesterday, I actually covered more ground yesterday W2R1 than any previous because I really concentrated on running slowly from the start of the session. It is counter intuitive to the nice loping stride that I am sure you dream of, but it takes weeks and months to develop your stamina so that you can run like that---or so all those that have been there tell say.

[Whydothis Graduate]

Well done - the first time out is the hardest! Don't worry about not quite doing it all - just keep repeating the session until you can do it - it won't take as long as you think!

I agree with nowster - have enough to drink every day, and something before you leave home, and you shouldn't need to drink while to are actually out - don't make it harder for yourself by carrying something!

I disagree with nowster on the other bit though! I found it did keep getting easier. Although the programme kept giving me more to do, none of it was as hard for me as the first week and the first run of week 2. After that it kept surprising me by not getting harder!

Your tow path route sounds perfect - have fun!

[nowster Graduate in reply to Whydothis]

You may well be right! One tends to forget how hard the initial couple of weeks were.

[Whydothis Graduate in reply to nowster]

😀

[Blossom- Graduate]

Suggest you have a read of the 'how to do this' guide in the pinned posts. Useful info about speed (slow), hydration etc etc. I'd consider doing the next run when it's a lot cooler. Good luck!🏃🏃‍♀️💥

[John_W Graduate]

Well done!

Now watch this video which should be very helpful I hope:

youtube.com/results?search_...

[lehcar70 Graduate]

Welcome Little Lizzie. I would say you have done the hardest bit already - lacing up your shoes and heading out the door. Welcome to the forum. It does get easier withmaybe a few bumps on the way. You will have good runs and bad runs but turn the "bad" into "practice" sessions. Each time you head out the door it is a win!

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Well done on getting out there!

I started this week too. Will probably attempt W1R3 tomorrow morning 😬

I’m lucky to have a flat river walk as my circuit! It starts by a bridge, and after a mile I can cross over and come back on the other side 😄

I can’t imagine doing this with hills!

My thighs ache and my knees are a bit creaky (and I have a slightly dodgy pelvic floor...) hoping it will get better!

Good luck ❤️

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done

on getting started.

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.

[Little_lizzie]

Thank you all for your input, it's fantastic... being new to the whole exercise thing, I never even thought to repeat week 1 IF needed...

Can you do stretches after each run? Obviously that's eating into the walking time... sorry if I sound a bit... daft! Not felt I needed to, but, it does feel like a cramp is coming but doesn't.. would you suggest stretching to stop the possible cramp??