Starting out!

[Begin-run]

Hi folks… just joined.. thought I would try this 5k but need motivation, especially getting out in this weather. A good walk would be a start me thinks any suggestions would be welcomed ! Cheers x

[Mrsrun Graduate]

Welcome. I would jump straight into C25K as you also do a lot of walking in the fist weeks. Also before you know it, your 5k journey is well under way and you have fought the battle of getting started . I word of warning , when you start it is addictive ! Good luck in whatever you decide.

[Begin-run in reply to Mrsrun]

Hi Mrsrun,

Thanks for the advice-will try that’s a challenge.

[nowster Graduate]

If feel you need to prepare, what I'd suggest is you do a couple of brisk half hour walks on separate days.

[Begin-run in reply to nowster]

Thanks nowster, that’s a starting point and more realistic for me

[nowster Graduate in reply to Begin-run]

The trick for getting into Couch to 5K is to take the walking parts briskly and the running parts slowly and easy.

Here is the post which will answer most of your questions about the scheme. It's long but it's essential reading.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Begin-run in reply to nowster]

That’s great! Thank you… good start 👍🏻

[Frenc Graduate]

Welcome Begin-run! I don’t think any time is ever right, you just need to do it as the ad says 😃. What’s half an hour? Go for it, I bet you really surprise yourself! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Begin-run in reply to Frenc]

Yup… I hear you and today’s the day Cheers x

[SlowSlowSlow]

I’m not a runner (yet) but took the plunge a couple of weeks ago. Just go very slowly on the running part and you’ll be surprised how well the system works. And when I say slow I mean slow! Good luck however you start.

[Begin-run in reply to SlowSlowSlow]

Thx for the support appreciated x

[Begin-run]

Thanks for the advice it’s already feeling like support and motivation… think it may work Cheers x

[Mrsrun Graduate in reply to Begin-run]

Do what you feel is right . You have done the first massive step , looking for a way to get started. As others have said , run slowly when you do start... Even if it is slower than you walk. Let us know how you get on.

[Begin-run in reply to Mrsrun]

Thank you all x will do…

[Devon_straggler Graduate]

He Begin-run! As nowster says, being able to walk at a reasonable pace for 30 mins will prepare you well for c25k. When you're ready to start running, take it really slowly (it might even be slower than your walk), the aim is just to keep going for the time rather than speed off (it's a lesson that took me several weeks to learn!).

Be aware that despite its title, the program should really be called couch to 30 mins - although there are some nippy people on the forum, the majority of us got nowhere near 5k in 30 mins, and many of us won't even after running for much longer. So don't be despondent and think you're not going fast enough, you're in good company

Also, many of us had to repeat runs or weeks due to not being ready to move on, or injuries etc. There's no problem with that, it's not a race (races can come later, if you like!).

Come back and let us know how you get on.

[Begin-run in reply to Devon_straggler]

Hi Devon, thanks for that - good to hear not everyone are athletes and just getting out right now is a starting point 😳 Cheers great motivation x

[Devon_straggler Graduate in reply to Begin-run]

We all joined c25k because we weren't athletes, yet people have gone on to do great things, from running 3 x 30 mins a week to keep themselves fit, to running 10k, half or even full marathons. I expect you're thinking 'I can't do that', but if you look through past posts you will see many people who have started from the couch and show that it is possible. The trick is to celebrate every individual achievement rather than worrying about how unachievable an end goal seems, you're only comparing yourself to the you who never got up off of the sofa. The great thing about starting with walking too is that it's something you can do every day (whereas running requires a day off in between), making it easier to build into a habit, and once you start running, walking on the 'rest' days is a good way of easing out your muscles. Have fun!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome.

I’m not sure I’m the expert on motivation to get started, for me it was a case of just setting a run time, peeling my lazy butt off the couch and kicking it out of the door... maybe try that?

What really did help was getting the run done and then coming on here to tell all my lovely virtual running buddies how it went. Then, of course I had to come back and give them the next instalment of my particular journey though this... and I hate to disappoint people. We want to read your story now... so get writing it!

Take it nice and slowly... you can do this... enjoy your journey.

[Begin-run]

Thanks! I will do….