Newbie - Shocked At How Unfit I Am!!!!

[Kitpup]

Hello!! I’ve loved reading your posts and they’ve given me so much encouragement knowing that I’m not alone in this, thank you!!

Tonight, after a bit of a long day at work, I’ll be doing my Week 2 Run 3; only what, 90 seconds running at intervals but wow, it’s a killer for little old unfit me!! I’m 51 and my (hopefully achievable!!) goal is to be able to quite easily run/jog 30 mins/5K several times a week by the start of March.

I’m really enjoying it but have to be soooo tough on myself making sure I go every second day, or my awful weak willpower will nag me and say, “nah, not tonight - too cold/late/dark/wet”!!!

Denise Lewis is encouragingly fab - although I’m struggling with the 4 second breathe in on your left foot, and 4 seconds out on your right foot, or something like that; I can barely breath in or out for 3 seconds (I’m only 4’11” so my lungs are maybe smaller!!!!!).

The C25K idea and app is just brilliant - I wish I’d done this a couple of years ago!! Good luck everyone - we can do this!!!

[Hidden]

You're doing brilliantly ok 👍, you're probably not as unfit as you this, it's just that you're using a whole new range of muscles, the breathing will come naturally I wouldn't focus too much on the structured pattern, but do remember to breathe 🙃 it helps breathing in through your mouth Will instantly let you take in more oxygen ✅.

Lay your kit out ready for running it'll help you motivate if needed, there's loads of us on here that use anything we can to help us through the door, especially when cold and dark 🥶, focus on that warm coffee and shower after you've ran!.

Good luck and enjoy that next run.

[Kitpup in reply to Hidden]

Hi, thank you for your encouragement, I need it! I’m looking forward to going later tonight and continuing my every two days streak; I think I am probably running rather than a conversational pace so tonight I’ll slow down a bit. Thank you!!

[Hidden in reply to Kitpup]

Well done, you keep running we'll be here with all the encouragement and nudges and gentle kicks you need 💪🤓👍, that pace, when you've slowed it down, SLOW IT DOWN AGAIN!!

It'll pay dividends as you progress through the weeks 👍

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

Forget the advice about breathing and slow right down.

Slowing down to the recommended easy conversational pace makes it more achievable and for most, more enjoyable.

Counterintuitively, it is an easy conversational pace running that builds your stamina and endurance, not fast running.

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.

[Kitpup in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you!! I’ll read the article, I’m a bit of a I Want Results Now-er so slowing down the pace will defo make a difference, I take the dog and she enjoys it too!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

So much enthusiasm is great to see, just breathe as naturally as you can, aim for 30 minutes it’s just 30 minutes after all and feels so good afterwards, there’s no rush, enjoy the running experience

[Kitpup in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you, bags of enthusiasm here!! I used to go hell for leather years ago on a treadmill (I much prefer being outside and choosing different routes with the dog), so I can see that breathing naturally as possible will make the world of difference, thank you! The best thing is that it’s a mere 30 mins and even I with a mad life can achieve that every two days! (Well, fingers crossed!!!!!)

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Kitpup]

Yes exactly, that’s what I always used to say, lots to do but that 30 minutes was special me time

[nowster Graduate]

You have a great attitude to this. Most of us started out feeling pretty unfit, too.