OFF the COUCH...Up and RUNNING???? CALLING ALL NEW RUNNERS !!!!!! UPDATE !!!!

[Oldfloss]

REPOST.

Please do read the reply from Chinkoflight on Self Discovery.. so helpful...

I am also tagging some ne comers too

************

WHERE are YOU?????

YOU are HERE !!!

In one of the best places ever!

Well as you can see... this is a NEW post... to introduce a NEW,(ish), weekly post within the C25K forum.

No prizes for guessing the name of the club... and actually it is not new... I did run this post a lot of years ago!

IT IS …. THE Off The Couch Club.

If you are reading this, t means that you have got off that couch and you are just joining, or already are, doing Couch to 5K, and there are, ( wonderfully), so, so many of us here on this amazing programme right now, and it is really, really hard to keep track of each other.

We in Admin' try so hard to keep up with you all, but sometimes, the sheer numbers of folk overwhelm us, and we miss folks' posts, which is horrid, and never get to reply.

So, I thought maybe, time to re-trial a new approach.

Off the Couch is for all our New runners, ( Newbies) and for all of you amazing folk who are on different weeks, but all heading towards the podium and Graduation! .

In this group, in one place, we can join in, on the weekly posts, supporting each other, encouraging each other and generally keep each other going.

We can get to know each other, find out who is on the same runs or weeks and hopefully inspire and motivate each other.

I will be posting throughout October and maybe beyond, with tips, links to useful posts and sites, answers to specific questions, ideas and such like.

BUT....and here is the thing... we, here in Admin, need you to do something for us!

FIRST and FOREMOST, we need any Newbies, beginning the C25K programme to read this totally essential post...

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

IF you begin there... you will find LOADS of your questions answered. problems solved and some of your worries, lessened. PLEASE READ IT, and if you are on the way ands have not read it, READ IT NOW!

( That's me yelling )!

THEN, as the weeks go on...I would love to know, what kind of tips or advice would you like to see, what questions would you like answered, is there a particular aspect of the programme you would like explained, or to talk about...basically;

What would YOU like to know more about as you head towards that Graduation Badge?

I and we on the Team here, will aim to help as much as we are able, but as we are all volunteers...and most of the team have jobs... and family... and are runners also, we may not be able to answer all your queries or fulfil all your requests!

We are awesome...but not THAT awesome.

So...If you would like to join this Off the Couch Group... please, please reply and I will add your name to the list!

I am very OVER- excited about this and am hoping to get a whole load of you here with us.

Oldfloss & the Team!

I shall be pinning this and re-posting this for a couple of days, in case folk miss it... !

Oldfloss xx

[Beginner_runner22]

Please add me to the new group. I am on week 2.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Beginner_runner22]

I certainly will! Welcome and well done you!

[Sparkleabc]

Would love to join the group, going out for my first run today.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sparkleabc]

Hope it goes well.. I'll add you to the list! Welcome!

[Sparkleabc]

Thanks, hardest part was getting out the door. The run itself was actually fine 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Sparkleabc]

Well done you...the Gremlins hide under our running shoes!

[JayneDoe Graduate]

Currently stuck on week 6. Couple of family traumas over the previous two weeks, so unable to run. Back on it tomorrow!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to JayneDoe]

The runs wait. They have infinite patience! You are doing so well and knowing when to just go with the flow, is so important. Our lives take over sometimes and there are so many family issues to handle.

Hoping it has settled and that you do manage a run! Very well done you!

[Swimming24 Graduate]

what a fabulously fabulous idea. I think it will be great for all the new recruits to be together sharing both successes and the off days. I just completed week 8 run2 today so am not a so new but have plenty to learn. All I can say is the one thing that has helped me get this far is listening to wiser runners. Stretch before and after a run and don’t go too fast. So far touch wood I have been injury free. I never thought I would say this but it gets more manageable, not feeling so exhausted after a run now.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Swimming24]

Thanks for this... and I really hope folk WILL pop in here. You are well on the way and very well done to you!

I am so glad that you have found so much support and help here and that you are beginning to feel that things are easing as your running evolves Sometimes it is hard. but if we take it slow and we take it steady, we get there! I shall watch for your Graduation post!

[Swimming24 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you hopefully soon

[Overweightandlazy]

hi please add me to the group I’m a complete newbie going for my first run this Wednesday after work

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Overweightandlazy]

Welcome!

I most certainly will add you to the list and it is great to know that you are here with us. Please do make sure you have checked out that pinned post and as you will find out, from my friends on here, the advice I always offer, on that first run? Slow and steady!

It is so exciting that first run, and I admire you so much running after work. Easy for me as a retired silver snail!

Take it gently and please do let us know it goes. You are on the way... Well Done!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Overweightandlazy]

Did you make that run after your day at work? How did it go?

[Overweightandlazy in reply to Oldfloss]

sadly no!!! And I’m so annoyed with myself but had a few problems with a flight home so wasn’t really possible. But that’s my problem if I can find an excuse not to get going I will!!!I should have gone in the dark I was so adamant that was the start of it all and I missed it.. 57 today so I’ll reset and try again I’m sure once I start I won’t look back

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Overweightandlazy]

Okay...well ...we will be here...and we will help you not to make excuses xx

[Overweightandlazy in reply to Oldfloss]

OMG. Done it first run completed feels great can’t wait fir Wednesday ( next run)

[Flybe Graduate]

please add me. start week 2 tomorrow.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Flybe]

I certainly will add your name to the list... very well done you! Slow, steady and enjoy! I shall watch for your post ! x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Flybe]

Did you get that run in?

[Chinkoflight]

This post is also posted on Bridge to 10k.

Today I ran my second 60 minute run. It was a smidgeon less distance than my first effort but it was a much more even pace and I felt as comfortable at the end as the beginning. No where near '10k pace' but only a fraction less than my 30 minute and Parkrun paces.

As I pondered the data I was thinking about how far I might go, and should an improvement target be pace, distance or time. I have an ambition to celebrate discovering C25K and the contribution that has made to my health, as well as the NHS for enabling me to discover C25K! So I am working up to a 10k in March 2023. I know increasing time gradually is the key to improvement so that is my current strategy.

As for the discovery, running for me is like driving a car, always good to finish the run with plenty of fuel left in the tank, driving near empty is very stressful. I feel for those struggling in rural environments running their lives on or near empty. Been there, done that and survived, but I don't take anything for granted.

Today the weather is wild, and I'm very content and about to grab a cup of coffee. Good running everyone and if you're on empty you probably need to slow down a bit! 😉

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Chinkoflight]

Thanks for this..so useful for all our new runners to read!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Getting a group together here.

Sparkleabc JayneDoe Swimming24 Overweightandlazy Flybe

Going to call some new starters too..

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Calling some new runners ... to check this post out.. Misty1960 Finding_Fitness Southernrunner Newtrainers

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Calling more new beginners...

Avfc19852022 Johng237

[Cjs88]

hello Oldfloss - I’d like to join this group. I’m on week 5 and this is my second time doing the NHS C25K. My first time doing it was a great experience but I soon ran out of motivation after I’d finished. Shame there isn’t a follow onNHS app like that brilliant one ( or is there?). Now starting over again after a year or so of not running & pleased the fitness is coming back.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Cjs88]

Good morning and welcome back. It is so good to see folk reappearing...let us get ypu through this familiar programme first and then we can all think about moving you on with real enjoyment.

So many ways to move on, to 10K and beyond. Or to just to keep you running and with real variation. I have fairly recently discovered some great guided runs, as have many folk... but I will keep that for later

Slow and steady !

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Cjs88]

I found booking an event for a few months after graduation really helpful in keeping motivated. After that event happened, I booked another one for a few months later which is now a week on Sunday so soon I’ll find something else! I’m in the ballot for the London marathon but it’ll be something much shorter if I don’t get a place (which is the most likely outcome!). They don’t have to get longer or harder every time though. I’m really, really looking forward to doing a fun 5k race for life next spring with my sister who is a running newbie and doing c25k at the moment.

I really like a plan to follow too, and as Oldfloss says, there are quite a few apps out there. There’s also the HU Bridge to 10k forum if you decided you wanted to extend your distance (which isn’t compulsory!). The support definitely doesn’t stop at the end of Couch25K!

This time round you’ll have all the skills you learn last time in your favour-pacing being the key one. That took me ages and ages to get right!! Really good luck to you. ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Cjs88]

Please pop into Catch-up Corner and let us know how you are doing?

[Newtrainers Graduate]

Add me to the list. I've just got back from run 2 week 1.

All good so far!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Newtrainers]

SUPERB.....Well done you...added!

[Fi_O]

I've just completed week 1 and feeling good. From previous attempts I lose motivation in the later weeks. My schedule is Monday, Wednesday and Friday runs. Building up to Saturday park runs. 😀 Could i be added to this group please.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Fi_O]

Added! Welcome and well done you! That's a great run pattern. I used to do that...but then changed to Wednesday, Friday , Sunday after small granddaughter was born, so days altered.

You are doing well...slow, steady and building up.

If you pop in here, we can help keep you buoyant overt the later weeks too!

[Fi_O in reply to Oldfloss]

Checking on: week 2 run 1 ✅

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Fi_O]

Huge well done you..sorry for the late reply...bit hectic on here currently!

[Autumn2022]

Would love to join this group, may give me the motivation to get out and start running with my 7 month old pooch. Need to just make a start!!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Autumn2022]

Welcome... I will add you to the list... ! Good to have you here !

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Autumn2022]

Please pop into Catch Up Corner and let us know how you are doing?

[Cjs88 in reply to Oldfloss]

will do - thanks

[Torkyfinlay]

Hi there, can i join too? I have followed the plan but didnt persevere to 5k would like to complete it this time.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Torkyfinlay]

Here you are and I shall add you to our growing group

It is not as easy as some may think to stay on track, but popping in here for incredible support and the chance to share with other folk just like us, is hugely helpful, and with me to chase you if you disappear too!

Check out the pinned post on How to run the C25K plan, just to refresh your memory... and then, slow and steady, take that first step?

There is no pressure here, no need to push too hard, take it slow and steady, and know we are right here for you.

New post tomorrow... I shall tag you! We shall watch for your first run post too!

[Torkyfinlay in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you🙂

[Gildamonster Graduate]

Please add me to the group. Newbie here, week 2 run 1 today.