Absolute newbie!

[Poppygoggles]

I’m starting C25k (with my very reluctant husband!) and I’m a bit nervous! I have osteoarthritis in my knees and I’m mildly asthmatic (use Ventolin inhaler very occasionally!) I cannot imagine being able to run (I walk a lot) how difficult has it been for people-honestly??! 🫣😁

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏Welcome to both you and your hubby to the world of running and this forum. A good suggestion would be for you both to read our guide to running C25K … if you are willing and able to follow the program after that, we will encourage you all the way. Many, many folk in much the same position as you have followed through successfully.

[Poppygoggles in reply to Annieapple]

Thanks for this- it was really useful & has encouraged me to start!

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate in reply to Poppygoggles]

🍏How good is that! Let us know how you get on and we will be with you all the way. There are many knowledgeable and encouraging mentors who helped me and will help you too! Enjoy!

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[GTFC Graduate]

Welcome aboard and a good luck message to you both. For me (having started in 2019) it's been two main things. 1. Keep consistent- keep out there and complete each session every week. 2. Take it steady. You've so much ahead after the programme to run wherever you want and where you want, how far and how fast you want. It opens up so much for you. While you're both knocking the weeks over, keep steady and all else builds from that. Best of luck 😊

[Sax64 Graduate]

Welcome to you both. The programme really works. So many people have had their own obstacles and gremlins to overcome to come through, and we all support each other. Keep a regular running slot and routine going, don't be afraid to repeat runs or whole weeks and please let us all know how it's going whether good or bad. We're all rooting for you. I started 5 months ago, have now graduated and can now run for 45 minutes non stop, phew my pre running self would not have believed it. Happy running 🏃‍♀️.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Welcome. It can feel difficult but your legs will carry you further than you realise

[Giveitagogirl]

big welcome! I still feel very new….but 3 weeks ago I made a similar announcement here and did not think I was commited/ motivated enough to really do this. Was very anxious about my knees especially as I have had struggled with knee pain before. MissUnderstanding shared some NHS knee strength if exercises, which I honestly do think are essential (I do as my warm up but the web page says so every day and I think i might start that, you could even practice these in the week before you actually start running to build up strength?) and while poking around all the info I found a video about “slow jogging” which I am trying for my technique and so far so brilliant! I love slow jogging!!! I am certainly not a runner and my jogging is extremely slow! I agree with repeating runs if needed. I have repeated one run but will be happy to repeat whenever necessary, I do not believe we should move forward until we are ready - take it at your own pace. You might find you and hubby are not completely synchronised, neither of you should push yourselves to keep up with each other, your journeys are likely to be unique. Although encouraging each other will be such a great bonus (I come here for my cheerleaders!). I also agree that scheduling in runs as much as possible helps, even if you do need to change plans, the reschedule becomes even more significant and it really helps to focus on when you will run / rest. I felt like a genius when I realised that if I run Tuesday and Thursday, I can run on the weekend day of my choice and never mess up my rest days! So that’s my new routine, but there is still flexibility in that if I need.

It takes courage to do something new, well done to you (and hubby) and pace yourselves!

[Poppygoggles in reply to Giveitagogirl]

Thanks for this- I realised the same about weekends so we’re starting on Tuesday! 🫣🏃🏻‍♂️🤞🏼

[Giveitagogirl in reply to Poppygoggles]

Knee strengthening exercises link:

nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/r...

[Poppygoggles in reply to Giveitagogirl]

and I’ll start the knee exercises!

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate]

I started C25K in 2021, very nervous about the possibility of harming my arthritic left knee. Quite the opposite happened, it's hardly bothered me since.What I think helped was only running on soft surfaces as much as possible and wearing the right shoes.

I found the first couple of weeks of C25K the hardest. Around week 4 or 5 it all sort of fell into place . I think it takes a little while for our bodies to realise that they are made for running even if we don't 'look like runners'

Good luck!

[Poppygoggles in reply to Yesletsgo]

thank you- that’s very encouraging!

[Huggy09]

Hi poppy goggles, I am just starting week 4 and I have arthritis in my knee, not as extensive as yours, but still. The way that this is designed slowly builds you up and at the moment I can honestly say my knee is fine. Just remember, slow and steady. I was a bit boisterous in first 2 weeks then realised I needed to slow down. Good luck

[Poppygoggles in reply to Huggy09]

Thank you- I will take that advice! I’m partly doing it to try and help my knees!

[Sybilw Graduate]

Honestly I found the first run very hard! It seemed ridiculous I’d run for 30 minutes in a few weeks but guess what? I did. Magic!! Just don’t go too fast or miss your rest days. Good luck.