Started Couch to 5K today

[Be-luga-whale]

I’m using a treadmill to start with and my hope is that I will be able to progress to running outdoors.

Although it feels a big challenge, my first treadmill run today felt amazing. It reminded me of when I used to run regularly some 20 years ago. I stopped running due to having a busy stressful career and my health took a hit.

So here I am with my hopes to lose weight, get fitter, and having the confidence to run outdoors.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on starting C25K on the treadmill, take all the runs slowly, you can repeat any runs or week's if you wish to, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, no running on consecutive days as that could cause a injury, good luck for your running journey with C25K, if you wish you can report your progress on this forum 👍

[Be-luga-whale Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you for your comment and advice - it is helpful. I will post my progress in future.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Be-luga-whale]

👍

[Packrunner Graduate]

good luck Be-luga-whale! nothing wrong with the treadmill if that’s what’s working for you. I run on treadmills most days too. If anything, I’d say that treadmill running makes outside running seem easier when you do go out .. maybe that’s just me, but that’s what I’ve found. Do keep us posted on your progress. You’ve got this! You’ve done it before when you were a regular runner, and as Denise Lewis says … “it’s just one foot in front of the other”

[Be-luga-whale Graduate in reply to Packrunner]

Thank you for your encouragement and letting me know the treadmill is okay. I will definitely post my progress.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting getting started.

Running is running is running, wherever you do it and it will build your stamina and endurance.

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.

[Be-luga-whale Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you for your comments and essential reading - I will have a look at this as it sounds really helpful.

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

Well done. It's the best thing for, " a busy stressful career".

Get outside though. By the time you're done your five minute warm up you'll be far from the house and no-one will know you. Pretty soon you won't care.

[Be-luga-whale Graduate in reply to MrBassmanjazz]

Thank you for your message. What you say about going outside is really encouraging and definitely my hope.

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

Most of us have been through the 'have I the courage to step outside in my running gear?' panic. Not all of us were lucky enough to have the option of a treadmill to allow us a choice. Running outside is far more interesting and I was amazed how soon I stopped caring about what other people may or may not be thinking.

Think about how you react when you see a runner. Do you stare, judge.... or just accept and ignore. Realising that nobody was looking or caring what I looked like was an absolute liberation. This summer I was wandering around in shorts and a vest, chubby, bare, female 60+year old legs on view and feeling so empowered.

If you prefer the treadmill fair enough, it's a good decision. If you're actually hankering for the great outdoors just go for it!! You have nothing to lose but your inhibitions

[Be-luga-whale Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thank You for your message that offer words of encouragement and wisdom. I really like what you say and love the bit about “nothing to lose but my inhibitions”. Thank you again.