Just introducing myself mostly! I completed my 1st run of week 1 yesterday and plan to do my 2nd tomorrow morning... and I'm really looking forward to it!
I've read the whole site, some leading up to my first run, and the rest since, all the guides and tips, I think I have the running bug! It's early days, but feel really chuffed as I haven't ran (deliberately) since school and I'm 53 now. To be honest, I didn't even run deliberately in school unless I absolutely had to! I'm prioritising working on my breathing and slow jogging, as back in the days of winter cross-country runs, I would often pass out during or at the end of the run so usually was plonked on chair with my head between my knees while everyone else was getting changed just to be on the safe side 🙄😁
I've often seen runners out enjoying their exercise and wished I could do the same. So! I'm taking it slow, will listen to my body closely, but so determined for this to work!
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Illtryanythingonce
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Yes, it absolutely includes the guide... I have it open on my phone's browser too, so that I can re-read bits as and when I want to double check stuff 🙄😁
Thank you for your advice, I intend to heed all good advice during my journey... and also intend to post often. (That's a first for me too, I don't tend to post in forums, just read them) I know there will be times when I need the encouragement!
Similarly, I hadn't run (except for a bus) until spring 2020. Running in school was to be avoided at all costs and the teachers were sadists. I'm about the same age as you.
I've gone from couch to 20km (in about 2 hours) in about 18 months.
Wow Nowster, I admire you massively already! Totally agree about the teachers! Note that even passing out more often than not didn't get me out of the cross-country 🙄😂 I was always better at field/throwing events and sprinting than long distance/endurance stuff, but I'd absolutely love to be able to do it.
Slow and steady is how I'm taking it. My first aim is to complete this 9 weeks and then get to the point where I can regularly join in Parkruns/5k events without being the last one in and passing out 👍😁
When I actually tried doing cross-country running at middle school, I had exercise induced asthma half way round. (Not that I knew it was called that at the time.)
Even telling the teacher that I couldn't breathe didn't get me out of completing the course.
I’m 54 and hadn’t run since school, if I had to! 😂 Now I can run a 10k comfortably and view 5k as ‘just a short one’ 😮I run slowly and I don’t care, I love it! A long slow run is just the best end to a busy day 😊. Take it slow and enjoy the journey 🏃♀️
Thank you Frizzbomb, you see, it's people like you that inspiring me to do this, and giving me the confidence to know I can. It sounds like you're pretty much where I'd to be. I'm looking forward to those times 👍
Good luck with your c25k, I’m also 53 and did mine between end of September and end of November, i had been walking daily since early August. I too never ran before, my favourite sport at school was netball because you didn’t have to run far! 😂😂😂 and as for athletics, I couldn’t finish the 400 metres, 100 metres was my max!You will really benefit from the programme, just do what it says and you’ll be astonished at your progress over time. Even if the next run sounds daunting, you will manage it, just give it your best and listen to your body. Enjoy 👍🏻
Thanks Headspace, I'm looking forward to the steady progress and benefits to my general (currently non-existent) fitness! 😁
An excellent beginning, and you've gone about the prep brilliantly 👍 enjoy the runs, rest as needed pay attention to stretching before and after, and hey we'll see you at graduation day 🥳🌟🌟
After the stretching before my 1st run, and then the 5min brisk walk, I wasn't sure I had the energy to do the rest of it 😂 but I did! Thank you for the good advice, I'll pay good attention 👍😊
Thank you, that was great, I couldn't open the ITB page without joining up I don't think, but the rest was really useful. My after run stretches yesterday were from the NHS page, and my dynamic ones were, after some Google searching, made up of swings, squats, lunges and this hip rotation kind of move. Some of those linked in your post will be trialled tomorrow pre-brisk walk! 😁
Welcome to c25k and this special corner of the internet.I hated running all my life until I started c25k during the first lockdown. I used to walk during school cross country unless I thought the teachers might spot me. I can honestly say doing this program has been transformational and I feel so lucky to have found a love of running at the age of 57. It has improved my physical and mental wellbeing immensely. In October 2020 I ran my first 10k and raised almost £1,000 for one of the Sue Ryder hospices, which was such a rewarding experience.
I'm currently redoing the plan, after a difficult 2021 and several months out with a back injury. I'm about to start week3.
That sounds like a fantastic idea, although you're way ahead of me... I'd really appreciate it! 😊
I'm really getting so much already from this site, the information, the encouragement, so many inspirational stories. I looked forward to and enjoyed my first run, but I suspect this bit is the easy bit!
Well done on what you've already achieved, both conquering c25k the first time around but also raising money for your chosen charity. I'd really like to do that when I can run far enough to warrant sponsoring and being part of fundraising.
How are you managing, repeating the programme following your injury? Good luck you too!
Well done for starting! You will soon get the bug. I’m 52 and completed c25k in June 2021 . I hadn’t run outdoors before, except school cross country. I can now run 5k and my aim is to increase to 10k 🤞I only run once a week now, but it helps me through my week plus I feel so much fitter and and stronger! I also lost a few pounds (which wasn’t the aim, but still a bonus!)
Well done in starting.. Like so many I hated anything called running at school, unless it was a sprint after a tennis ball, which I play along still. I didn't start C25k till I was 69! Now, 18 months later, I still run 3x a week, always at least 5k and every is often 10.... And I love being able to do it. Good luck and keep running.
Hi, I have recently started the programme as well. Started on boxing day and completed w2r2 yesterday. I will be completomg w2r3 tomorrow :)I have never done any running before except at school and wasnt great at it. I really want to give running a go too and love all the helpful tips and encouragement I have got here.
Thank you everyone, for your replies and words of encouragement!
I completed run 2 this morning; I spent a little longer on the dynamic stretches and made sure I was doing them well, working up quite a sweat! But I feel good for it, the last run of the 8 was little harder today but I think that's because I worked harder on the stretches! I really took my time on the stretches afterwards too... trying to get into good habits early on.
Well done for starting - you will definitely not regret it and, before you know it, you'll be pootling along very comfortably. The programme works - it really works! Which is why I'm doing it again after losing my running marbles at the start of the first lockdown. Plus, this community is absolutely wonderful and full of both people who are starting from scratch, those of us returning to the fold after a hiatus of some sort, and very experienced runners who can help with any questions or difficulties you face along the way. All the very best for your amazing journey!
Hello and welcome, remember no run is a rubbish run, that's my motto if I'm out there running that's all that matters, your stamina will improve just take it slow and steady, and most of all enjoy and be proud of yourself. 🏃♀️ x
well done for starting- like so many others at 50 I had done no more than run for the bus for 40 years and would never have believed that I would run for fun in the rain and cold😂😂It calms you and makes you a better person- there will be times when it feels like it’s going to kill you and times when you think you will never get there but you will- remember if your out there you are doing something good for you!! Do it at your own pace and be proud of every step! Good luck 🙂
Thank you, that's great advice, and you are so right, the main thing is doing something good for yourself. I'm looking forward to running for fun at the end of it. I bet it's a great way to clear your mind/unwind. 😊
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Yaaay! 1st park run and 1st 5k done!
1st consolidation run done 
Am I kidding myself about actually running?
Eve of my 1st ever c25k run
Done the Worcester Parkrun, my first ever Proper Run!
