Eeekkk 🙈🙈

[GekoGirl]

I have joined a number of “beginner” groups only to find they’re not actually “beginners like me”😆 they’re beginners who run a LOT! I have only ever run a bath, honestly so unfit, not hugely overweight but unfit and my dream for years is to run but I’m not a ‘natural’ runner if there is such a person 😆 BUT I invested in a treadmill after Xmas - I know that’s totally different to outside running but there’s no way I’d run in public! 🙈 I walk a fair bit with my dog (outside obvs 😆) and am trying to build up stamina on my TM and the other day I broke into a VERY SLOW jog / very fast walk for 30 seconds n thought I was gonna keel over 😆 my question is - has anyone been in this position before where 30 seconds was a killer?!?! (How embarrassing!!) 😆🙈 I’m determined to do C25K 💪 sorry it’s a waffling message & hope it makes sense 🙈🙈🙈 xxx

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your intention.

The key information you need about pace is that you need to be able to speak aloud, clear ungasping sentences as you run.........if you cannot, you are going too fast. It doesn't matter if you can walk faster than you jog.

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.

[Pete9122 Graduate]

Me! I've been that person!! The Week 1 Run 1 of C25K.....i was proper blowing for tugs after running for 1 minute. I'm 61, had never run since my schooldays & according to my BMI I'm obese. Fast forward 9 weeks later & following C25K, I'm still obese, but able to (very) slow jog for30 mins. If anyone would have told me at the start I'd be able to jog for 30 mins I would never have believed them. If you find yourself getting out of breath, then slow down. Then, if you're still out of breath, slow down some more. Rest assured there's lots of people who have been in your position. Good luck☘️☘️☘️ with your 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️/slow jogging. There's lots of advice/support/encouragement on here. Keep us posted with your progress. Take care.

[GekoGirl in reply to Pete9122]

Thank you sooo much 🥰

[MrsVMac4b]

This is my problem, 60 seconds doesn’t seem like much, but I’m convinced I’m going to suffer a cardiac event after or wee myself 🙈😂 my “run” also isn’t a run, more of a fast walk

[Zip54 Graduate in reply to MrsVMac4b]

Hey well done for finding this group, I started out as a non running beginner 8 weeks ago and can now run for 28 mins non stop!

Weeing is easy to deal with and more common than you'd think, I use panty liners to avoid embarrassment.

Running doesn't need to be faster than a walk, the only difference between walking and running is that there is a moment when both feet leave the ground at the same time. If you can walk for 30 minutes there is a very good chance you can do a very slow run for 1 minute. If you really do feel as if 60s is too much when you're doing it there is no harm in doing less this time as its training for your body and preparation for being able to run for 60s at a time. Each run is asking your body to adapt to get fitter so every run is a step towards improved fitness.

[GekoGirl in reply to MrsVMac4b]

We sound very similar 😆 we got this 💪 slow & steady by the sounds of things 🙌🏼

[Ringlet1]

I started as an anti running never successfully run before runner 5 weeks ago and completed week 6 run 1 tonight. I run in the evening doing laps around a well lit local housing estate which is a 5 min walk away so no one sees me. I panted like mad and ached like hell after the first run and was convinced that I had been right all along and couldn’t run.

However I was curious as to how so many people had managed it of all different ages, sizes and fitness level so I looked up how to run! Turns out there’s lots of mistakes to avoid and I’d made most of them in that first run! I followed the advice and haven’t got out of breath or ached since . I particularly like the Nerd Fitness website as their sense of humour appeals to me and it was their article on common mistakes people make when embarking on Couch to 5k that fixed me.

I also did the NHS Strength and Flexibility course on non running days.

My fitness has increased so much that I kept up with my Brownies on Sunday as they marched up a muddy 1:1 hilly field!

I didn’t buy any kit, I wear joggers not leggings and stick my phone in an old bumbag & wear an old hat with speakers in! I look an absolute sight but I’m warm and comfy, not holding anything and am still going.

If you watch other people run, many are going slowly with a high number of small steps directly under their body rather than striding out at top speed. This is how I built up my fitness.

I really recommend researching how to run, drinking plenty before you run (have a wee right before you set off!) and choosing music that you love.

Tune in, zone out and put one foot infront of the other. You can do it!

[GekoGirl in reply to Ringlet1]

This is great advice thank you SO much! I’ve always been fascinated by people running purely cus i ‘can’t’ - cross country at school set me up detesting it for life but I hear so many positive stories I’m giving it a - slow n steady - go! I’ll def check out those websites 🥰

[Ringlet1 in reply to GekoGirl]

Also I can never imagine wanting to run with anyone else. I personally love just being able to get ready and go out whenever it’s convenient to me and my family. I love being able to zone out, look at the stars if it’s not cloudy or just have a good nosey at people’s gardens and houses and most importantly, if I’ve got a bit over confident and set off too quickly, I can reset to snail’s pace if I need to. I run to Kylie’s new album, disco beats through and through! The 20 min run last week (I KNOW! 20 MINUTES!) was only 6 songs and I always think in terms of how many songs rather than minutes. I know for a fact I wouldn’t have started or still be doing it if I had to run infront of others to start off with!

Hopefully by the time it’s not dark until really late to run I’ll be confident to pound the streets in daylight or maybe try trail running off the beaten path.

I know you’ll find your way!