Hi need motivation guys xx please say hi.

[beth3618]

Went for run last night in the dark didn't follow plan as not been for months few so just did what I can. Need inspiration motivation please guys. 🙏

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

You’ve already got motivation-you went out yesterday! You might have had a break, but you’re now a runner who went out for a run yesterday. That’s a great thing. Really well done. 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️

After a long break, it’s a good idea to go through the programme again. That will give you the best chance of not picking up an injury and the structure might help get back into the habit again.

In an ideal situation, what sort of running would you like to do? Do you want to try new places? A different distance? Take part in a race? Do you want to be running regularly every week? That could help you to get the trainers on and out of the door when it’s cold and dark.

Good luck with your next run. ❤️

[beth3618 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Just a beginner So just getting out when I can.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Even if you're just getting out when you can, do use the programne. You've got the voice prompts, the set runs, and advancing through each week to help keep you motivated.

Motivation is a bit of a con though as it works better on nice days in nice weather. We're moving into winter now so those will be fewer.

Look deep inside, find the key to why you want to do this. Make yourself a promise to do it. Don't break that promise. Think of someone for whom you would never break a promise... why should you deserve less?

Its only 9 weeks, 3 times a week. Do it. At the end if you're not hooked, if you don't like it, find something else, but I reckon if you can make a real start you'll feel great for completing, feel great about doing it, and feel good about yourself regardless of how you feel about running.

You have nothing to lose, and so much to gain. 👍🏻

[beth3618 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

To get fitter. Not getting younger 48 end of year. I've never really been a runner. But did feel good last night in the dark. Was bit unsure about listening to owt in the dark. But I do need to start couch25k again. Need to get fit n feel better x and cut down on the wine !!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to beth3618]

You can do it! I just turned that number too. I'm fitter, lighter, happier than I've ever been. All because I stuck with it, got addicted and kept going, and going and going.... 🏃🏻‍♀️

I run early before work, almost always in the dark. It is weird but the moon and stars are beautiful, the foxes watch me with some confusion. I've met badgers and hedgehogs, the birds greet me (that's what I tell myself) I listen for the local owls, even startled one a couple of times.

Commit to yourself. Commit to the 9 weeks at least and see where it takes you. Physically and mentally👍🏻

[GTFC Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

This 👆

[nowster Graduate in reply to beth3618]

I was 51½ when I started. Never ran before, not even at school. OK, I did dash for a bus occasionally, but that was usually followed by 10 minutes of red-faced recovery time. I now feel fitter than I was in my teens.

And one of the highlights of my running in the dark was last year when I heard an owl and it flew directly over me moments later, caught in the beam of my head torch.

[MakingTheMost Graduate]

Well done for last night's run!

Follow the plan, it will make it all the more enjoyable and reduce injury risk. I'm on W9 and what with work and life it is hard to motivate at times when it's been a number of days longer than I'd like but....it really does feel great when you've done another run!

I'm also 48, keep going! I find mornings are much more my thing than the dark nights, get up run when the sunrises, it's lovely - a muntjac watched me today, never had that before! And I do love an owl!!

Keep going! 🏃‍♀️

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi beth3618 , I started C25K aged 59 and with the sporting record of a tin of tomato soup.

I really do recommend that you follow the programme - see the How to run C25K FAQ here: healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

Why? Because my own occasional "must lose weight get fit" attempts to run all ended in miserable, breathless frustration, so I gave up. Couch to 5K, though, actually worked! And to my great surprise, I stuck with running after I'd completed the programme, and realised that it could be fun. It also turned out that Little Miss Tin of Tomato Soup here was capable of completing a trail marathon. Who knew?!

As for cutting down on the wine, all I can say is that wine happens to be one of life's pleasures for me and taking up running hasn't changed that.

[Hidden]

Hiya, I'm 57 male and did the 9 week program 7 years ago and started doing Parkruns. Then I had a 7 year break from it. I just did the odd top-up run around the local pond in the mean time whenever I felt like it. I walk most days and make a point of running up all inclines en route. Now I'm doing the Saturday Parkruns again and have better times than ever!

The point is, it's well worth doing and the improvements in fitness are long lasting.

Also, you are competing against yourself and any improvement is a win.

It likely takes a couple of weeks for the body to adjust so if you endure you surely can't fail to achieve something.

[Bluefly Graduate]

As MissUnderstanding has said, you have been out so there is motivation there! Starting the plan from the beginning will help keep it going as the progress you make will feed that motivation. It took me a few tries at C25K. Think of the benefits of getting out there and then what would be the consequences of staying on the couch and weigh it up. Post on here, there is always good advice, I found it invaluable. Good luck!

[SillyGilly9 Graduate]

Hi I am 68 and did the course in the summer keeping to it to the letter

I was a couch potato at the time .. but found getting out and doing it liberating mentally and physically and have kept up 3 times a week runs although lapsed a bit with the 5-10 k plan

Getting out there is in itself a success no matter what you do and you know the benefits

So well done - do the course again it works

[OldManRunning Graduate]

Hi Beth, it's taken me 13 weeks to complete it so the number 9 isn't written in stone, there are a lot of things in life that can get in the way but stay focussed, stay slow and keep smiling 😀

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

I think it's hard at this time of year. (It's always great when you get out, though).

Someone on here said, " If you can't do the run you want - do the run you can".

Not quite motivation - more consolation when a run doesn't go as planned.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to MrBassmanjazz]

Someone on here said, " If you can't do the run you want - do the run you can".

That’s a Coach Bennett from the Nike Run Club app favourite of mine!

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Knew I'd heard it somewhere 😀

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to MrBassmanjazz]

He’s a legend.

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

...and very popular with the ladies.

[Languid_Lil Graduate]

Well done for getting out there; just keep on keeping on 🏃

[beth3618]

Wow. Thanks for all the positive messages. Really lovely to read how others are doing. Does anyone do anything else other than running like joe wicks. I might start do that as well xx please keep all messages coming 🙏 have a good weekend everyone

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to beth3618]

“Cross training” or basically doing anything else apart from running is a great plan. I like walking, Zumba, swimming, HIIT and yoga/Pilates.

I’ve never done any Joe Wickes classes but I’m sure other here can give their experiences.

[beth3618 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

In lockdown I did bit of mark wright hiit. Really enjoyed thatAnd starting doing planks bloody hard x

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to beth3618]

I do a work out/yoga routine for 45 mins every morning .I haven't missed a day since 7th Jan last year. My rule is a minimum of 10 mins and I make no exceptions, even if ill I make it more a stretching routine. As previously, once it becomes a habit, I just do it.

I also do sea swimming as often as I can.

[LottieMW Graduate]

hi Beth!

Well done on getting out there and starting C25k 👍🏼

As suggested by Cmoi , it’s a really good idea to go into the pinned posts and read the FAQ…lots of useful info 😄

Keep posting and reading others posts…that way you’ll make contact with others at a similar stage to you…it’s great to share notes!

You might be interested in popping over to our sister forum “Strength & Flex”…again go through the pinned posts, there have been all kinds of different exercise programs on there!

healthunlocked.com/strength...

So keep running and posting…the good and the bad, there will be plenty of tips and support to get you through those not so good runs!

Good luck and enjoy! 😊🏃🏻‍♀️🐌🍁

[beth3618 in reply to LottieMW]

Thanks again x

[Dendev75 Graduate]

Hi, do you have any local running clubs that offer the couch to 5k programme? I’ve only just joined a running club this week (I graduated from ct5k in August) but I didn’t realise they offer coaching through the programme which would have been good to know especially as the winter nights are dark early and being part of a club will motivate you to get out than running alone. Good luck on your running journey!