Newbie novice!

[Adventuregirl14]

Hi all, I’ve just completed week 1. It’s made me really happy as I didn’t think I could do it. I love hiking, cycling and swimming but never been a runner. I’m doing this to work on mental health, weight loss and to combat awful symptoms of my early Menopause. I love thé feeling after finishing a run. Been suffering a bit with muscle aches where my legs meet my torso since starting - possible groin strain. I’ve tried shortening my stride and doing even more stretches. Would love to hear from anyone else at a similar stage/situation 😊

[farsouthwest Graduate]

Well done you! And welcome! This is such a supportive place to be - and I know there will be people far more experience than I (I only started running on May 1st having always hated it too - but have now graduated and am so delighted and excited to be "running" after never really believing I could). I'm not sure about your aches but I had horrid painful knees at the start which I thought could be to do with the dreadful weight they were having to support.... I swapped to a flat, soft surface and went to get my gait assessed and bought the recommended shoes for my feet/running. I still had a painful week afterwards but by week 4 it had gone. (I've wrote about it all in my first post which I didn't share until W7. I'm a newbie to any type of social media and got in a pickle trying to post earlier. I don't know if you can find it again but it might be helpful to read if you can - being a luddite I don't know how to share it directly!). The administrators are all super helpful and encouraging too and there are lots of useful links that they can provide. Do keep posting and letting everyone know of your progress!👍👍👍

[farsouthwest Graduate in reply to farsouthwest]

Oh my goodness - should have proof read that before I posted it - was just too eager to reply. Realise full of errors/omissions🙄 - sorry! For example

"This is such a supportive place to be - and I know there will be people far more experienced than I who will have the best advise" and "I've written about it"

Also wanted to say that I too love the feeling afterwards and in fact it was only last weekend when I first realised that everything felt very natural and in tune and that I was actually genuinely enjoying the run itself - that felt amazing too. I don't think I've lost any weight but I "feel" lighter and better and am definitely fitter!

[Adventuregirl14 in reply to farsouthwest]

Thank you so much for your lovely messages 🤗 I can see your post thank you and I really appreciate your support and encouragement. Huge well done to you for graduating. You can be my inspiration. So pleased you’re enjoying it too 😁

[farsouthwest Graduate in reply to Adventuregirl14]

There are so many inspiring people here you will be able to choose yourself a whole cheerleading team to support your journey 😊😊😊

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate in reply to farsouthwest]

Your first post,farsouthwest , is here: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

(I went to your profile and scrolled down to find it...)

[farsouthwest Graduate in reply to ChannelRunner2]

Oh thank you! 😁

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏Welcome to C25K Adventuregirl14 & this forum! I love your name & think it sums up your passion for all those activities! The best advice at the beginning of this program is to read all the advice given to new runners.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

This will reinforce the ways to prevent injury, enjoy and succeed…

Sometimes newbies to running, make the mistake of running too fast in the beginning especially if you are fit from other exercise..snail 🐌 pace is best in these early weeks as running uses different muscles and techniques..

You are right!! There is nothing to beat that positive feeling of having accomplished a run… that’s what will inspire you to attempt the next one!

Keep in touch here and let us know how week 2 goes!! This is a fabulous adventure you are taking on 🤗

[Adventuregirl14 in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you! You were absolutely right! I’ve just completed run 1 of week 2 and it went much better. I honestly thought that if I went any slower I’d be going backwards BUT when I did slow down it felt much much better. It’s really surprised me as I do a lot of walking but I clearly need my strides to be much smaller and to slow down. That also has the added happy benefit of meaning I can actually breathe too 😂 Thank you so much for your support 😊

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate in reply to Adventuregirl14]

Its’s so exciting when it all starts falling into place!! Well done!! Enjoy the rest… drink lots of water, do some strength & flex and then you will be ready to tackle 2:2 with the same approach!! 👏😊

[Petem56 Graduate]

Congratulations on making a start, 😀 , maybe you are going too fast. I found that going slower helped me complete c25k, I'm only now trying to improve my speed, I have slightly increased my pace but can now only run for 25 minutes, but its building up slowly.Happy running .

[Adventuregirl14 in reply to Petem56]

Thank you. You were spot on! I slowed down for my run this afternoon and it went so much better 😊👍

[Petem56 Graduate in reply to Adventuregirl14]

Remember the hare and the tortoise 🐢

[Adventuregirl14 in reply to Petem56]

Got you! Patience is my biggest weakness!!! 😬😂

[Petem56 Graduate in reply to Adventuregirl14]

Mine also........😁😃