Week 1 Run 1

[RunforMum]

I've started! After reading the guide on here, I now realise I was running too fast... there's no way I could have held a conversation whilst running! Haven't run since school (which I hated and was hopeless at). Now nearly 50 so wish me luck!

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Welcome , and well done !

Well done on completing that first run and well done on reading the guide .

Taking on board the concept of running at a conversational pace at this stage will serve you well .

Remember that on each run , trust the program and enjoy the process .

Happy running!

[RunforMum Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

👍

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate]

A very warm welcome! So many of us have had exactly the same realisation as you did-it’s so much nicer to run and be able to breathe at the same time!!! Really glad you’ve already found the programme guide. It’s totally counterintuitive but you’ll develop best as a runner with slow, conversational paced running (where you can speak out loud in full sentences without gasping) and you’ll be less likely to get injured.

My top tips? Find nice places to run. Choose some lovely rewards for when you finish a run/a week depending on what works best for you. Take some time to think about what’s gone well with every run-sometimes they’re tough but even in those there’s something to celebrate. It’s also totally normal to have tricky runs and not feel enthusiastic about going all the time! You’re learning a new skill and that won’t always be easy. It’s worth it though! Rest days and stretches are really, really important after each run. Be really proud of yourself for all you’ve already achieved in starting and be excited about where you’ll end up. Most of all, enjoy yourself!

Ask loads of questions and share how you’re getting on-there are loads of wise and friendly posters here who love to chat about running all the time! Really good luck to you. 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️

[RunforMum Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you!🙂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Welcome... and as you see, no need for luck at all...just run, keep it slow and steady and enjoy!

PS

I started at 65,,, just about to celebrate my 7 year Runniversary.... you are going to have fun!

[OldManRunning Graduate]

Good luck RunforMum 😊 I discovered that saying 'morning' every couple of 100 metres didn't constitute a conversation when my running daughter took me out 🤣

[RunforMum Graduate in reply to OldManRunning]

😀

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi RunforMum , great to have you here! So good that you've read the guide and are taking the advice on board.

Don't worry about your age or your experience of running at school, that's now history. I started C25K aged 59, with the sporting record of a tin of tomato soup, and ended up doing much more than I'd ever dreamed possible.

Have fun!

[RunforMum Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you

[PompeyMike56 in reply to Cmoi]

Haha, the tin of tomato soup made me laugh. Brilliant ! 🤣👍

[Wawacito Graduate]

Welcome to the C25K family!

Take it easy. The program is not so much about speed but rather about developing stamina to run for the given durations. Please note that even though the program is called "Couch to 5 kilometres", the vast majority here in this forum does not get to the 5k at the end. It is the 30 minutes in week 9 which count. And being able to do that is really quite satisfying!

As for you being 50, not having run since school and hating running at school: Welcome again! There is so many of us here. Me too! I started C25k when I was 54 (last year) and absolutely hated (!!) running at school. Had someone told me that I was to love running, even being able to run 10k or for over an hour, I would said that person was crazy.

This forum here is very supportive. Welcome to your journey to becoming a runner.

[RunforMum Graduate in reply to Wawacito]

Thank you. I can see already that this is a supportive forum.

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

Go for it. You'll be glad you did.

[nowster Graduate]

"Haven't run since school (which I hated and was hopeless at)." That described me to a tee.

My usual team position was "left behind".

I started with Couch to 5K two and a half years ago, at the age of 51.

Best of luck!

[RunforMum Graduate in reply to nowster]

Thank you, that made me smile!🙂

[Languid_Lil Graduate]

Good luck RunforMum RunforMum! Slow running is really the key isn't it.

[Chinkoflight]

Fantastic for starting and also finding the pace advice so early!!! It's the best advice you'll get and if you follow all the links provided by mentors YOU WILL SUCCEED. It will be such a personal achievement, enjoy the journey.Keep running, keep smiling.

[PompeyMike56]

Well done for starting ! Good luck on your journey, I start my Week 3 today. Just remember, try not to go too fast, and you will smash it ! Keep it up 😊👍