Newbie

[Beggsybabe]

Hello fellow couchers, I’ve just signed up to do this couch to 5k, so out of my comfort zone but as a 50 something unfit women wanted to prove that I can achieve this. Wish me luck & any tips would be appreciated

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Hello and welcome to the forum and the programme!

What a great decision to start !

The first thing I would suggest is to give the programme guide a thorough read .

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

It's full of crucial information to help you succeed.

Make sure you are properly hydrated before you run , keep the runs slow and remember the after run stretches!

Most importantly, Enjoy !

[Ctg08 Graduate]

I have my last run of the program on Friday just done run2 of week9 tonight. I was so unsure if I could do this but believe me you can. I had it downloaded for a few weeks before I did the first run but so glad I did. Everyone is different and it is not about speed or distance at first it is simply completing each run at what you are comfortable at. Go for it and enjoy it you will be so glad once you have started it. 😊

[Eileensnightie]

You read my mind ..,self preservation from now on!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Welcome to this great place... keep it slow and steady, take it every much at your own pace and you will find, there is no luck needed...just follow the advice from Instructor57 ..

Enjoy!

[Pootle7]

Me too! I’m planning my first run on Monday as need to go and buy some appropriate footwear at the weekend.

[Nilsam Graduate]

Great advice from the instructors on the forum. Also worth reading a few posts on here and seeing what a huge community it is. All ages and certainly all stages. I hope you have a bit of fun with it too.

Well done for making that first step.

Just even joining up.👏

Good luck and happy jogging. 👍🏻

[Duckaroo Graduate]

Trust the program it works

[M0use Graduate]

I started 7 weeks ago, reluctantly and convinced I wouldn't last a week but I'm still here and loving it. Trust the process and go slow, you can do it 😊

[Birdsong22 Graduate]

Welcome! I am also 50 and hadn’t run since being forced to in PE lessons some 35 years ago. In Week 1 I thought the 60 second runs were insurmountable, I had an achy chest for a fortnight as my heart muscles remembered how to work faster than sluggish, I did a great beetroot impression (still do that). But I was off the couch, as people keep reminding me! Now I am in week 8 and running 28 mins without stopping. Very slowly but it’s still running. The programme works. I think it’s fairy dust.

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Birdsong22]

We have so many similarities when I read your post here. I hadn’t run since being made to in school, I always come back from a run looking like a beetroot and I have learned to make sure I go really slow so I can finish each run, I’ve got one more run of week 8 left and actually enjoyed my run this morning not just when I got to the end ☺️

[Legsache Graduate]

Hi Beggsybabe,You have taken the first step. (Always the most difficult)

I’m 62 very overweight (like 4stone)

Read all the advice, take it slow and then slower!

You can do this.

I’m not going to lie, I had my moments of disbelief, but now manage 40 mins slow jog(plod)

It’s my time, my space, my personal challenge.

Trust the programme, follow it.

Looking forward to hearing about your successes.

Just keep moving

Good luck x

[NewBeginner1]

Good for you and good luck . I’m a 50 something, never ran for donkeys years . Just completed my week 1 , my first 2 runs made me doubt myself but after this morning completing my week 1 I’m looking forward to week 2 . Secret is definitely the word slow and that made me feel comfortable. So hope all goes ok .

[RunMN Graduate]

Hi, I completed couch to 5k a few weeks ago at 56. Take it slow & steady, this sight is full of lots of support & encouragement. I found Denise voice in my ear, through out also helped to keep me going. You’ve got this!

[Hidden]

The best advice I could give other than already given above, is to always try the next run in the sequence no matter how daunting it may look. You have always the choice of retuning back to the previous one if it does prove impossible (but probably wont be!). The plan is designed to push you, but gently, even if the numbers don't look that way.

Our running group repeated week one 5 times before moving on. We all had agreed not to move on unless we were all happy. Once we started week two, it was not as bad as had been imagined. We then changed our plan to always move on, and then go back if anyone wanted to. We never needed to go back, some new runs felt harder than others but we made it each time.

Follow the advice given on this site and you WILL make it.

WHEN you complete the course you will probably be addicted, and that is the beginning of a whole new era to your life.

Good luck.

[MakingTheMost Graduate]

Good luck Beggsybabe! You can sooooo do this!!! I'm half way through...if I can...you can!! 🎉

[Running_at50 Graduate]

Hi and welcome to c25k. I'm also a 50 year old, overweight woman so even though I have run in the past I was very nervous to start again. I'm on week 7 now and the only advice I can give you is don't worry about your speed and remember any progress is progress however slow or small. Good luck 🍀🌠

[Finding_Fitness]

Hey Beggsybabe, snap! I'm in my 50s, overweight and I just started the c25k this week. It feels reassuring that there's other gals like me just starting 😊

[Dendev75 Graduate]

Hi, I started out by walking for a few weeks to get my fitness levels up and just to get out and walk in front of other people was a big step for me so when I started c25k it felt natural to introduce a little jog in between walking, good luck and just take it slow 👍🏻