New beginnings...

[rubygloom]

Hi everyone I am just about to start the plan. Bought an mp3 player today and have download the C25K plan onto it. Hoping my new trainers will arrive in the post over the next couple of days (will break them in wearing them around the house), and am about to excavate the bedroom for the sports bra I purchased several years back but never wore.

Think I am really going to struggle with the running as the pace picks up! I already walk my dog for a couple of hours a day at a brisk pace but almost DIE if I attempt to even do a slow jog.

Good luck to everyone else working on reaching 5K, and beyond x

[gdeann Graduate]

Welcome! It sounds like you're all set to go! My only advice would be to follow the program to a T and you will succeed! Don't worry about speed, just concentrate on getting through the sessions. Each run you will amaze yourself at the progress you make. Also, visit often here, this is a great community of running friends! Gayle

[rubygloom Graduate in reply to gdeann]

Thanks Gayle. Seems like a great place here! Feeling really enthusiastic about the plan and have just completed my second run of week 1!

[caj62 Graduate]

Good luck. Follow the plan and don't worry about running quickly and you will be amazed at the progress you make. I never, ever thought I would be able to run for 30 mins, let alone 5k but I have managed both by following the plan. You may have days when it seems harder than others but stick at it. You will feel great when you have done it! GOOD LUCK!!

[rubygloom Graduate in reply to caj62]

Thanks Well done to you now being able to run for the full 30 minutes! Seems far away for me yet but looking forward to the journey!

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Well done already! You've got several things going for you - if you are used to that much brisk walking and you have that commitment of needing to get out with the dog anyway, those will really help. (Are you going to do C25K with your dog?) With C25K the pace doesn't pick up (you may well not be running any faster than your brisk walk, just moving differently), it is all about stamina and you can move on to speed later.

[rubygloom Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Thanks! Unfortunately I'll be doing the C25K on my own as one of my dogs paws doesn't do well on hard ground due to an old injury. Shame as it would have been fun to have done it together (and I might not feel so self conscious!). I've completed my first 2 runs of week 1 now and it's been easier than I thought. I lost track of how many runs I'd done by the end of the first session and was amazed when I was told that I'd run for a total of 8 minutes!

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to rubygloom]

I tend not to run on hard ground myself - not because of the dog but to avoid new injuries myself. My Dad is nearly 80, a regular runner all his life and hasn't had to have anything replaced so I intend to follow in his footsteps and stay off road.

[rubygloom Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

I did wonder about this but don't really have any decent size parks near me. There is one but it is pretty small and on a big slope!

[Hidden]

Welcome to the forum rubygloom, and congrats on getting organised for starting c25k! It sounds like the brisk walking with your dog will be great preparation for starting the programme. It might be challenging at times (however, what meaningful things in life aren't challenging?) but if you stick to the podcasts, you'll see yourself improving and that is such a great motivator. Good luck and enjoy!

[rubygloom Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks! Enjoying it more than I thought I would (so far!).

[vixiej Graduate]

well done and good luck! You can do it! You already received great advice above, so nothing to add, except that I am looking forward to reading about your journey

[rubygloom Graduate in reply to vixiej]

Thanks vixiej!

[SBG356 Graduate]

Welcome to the forum Ruby and the great family of c25k runners we have here! You sound determined to start which is great. Follow the program and it will really work- we are all proof of that! You will be amazed at what you achieve on your journey. Best of luck!

Sue x

[rubygloom Graduate in reply to SBG356]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[mdec Graduate]

Best of luck! I've been going three weeks and already seen an improvement, so don't be disheartened if it's difficult at first.

[rubygloom Graduate in reply to mdec]

Thanks mdec. Well done with your achievements so far!

[greenlegs Graduate]

Good luck! I started two weeks ago, and also found any running at all a huge challenge, and my 'runs' are at the same pace (or slower) than my walking - but I've realised that it doesn't matter. Very slow running is still running, and more energetic than walking. (I had also done a fair bit of brisk walking before I started, though less than you have.)

[rubygloom Graduate in reply to greenlegs]

Thanks greenlegs Not found the running quite the killer I thought I would (although wouldn't want to be doing more than 60 seconds at a time at this stage!). I think the podcasts really help to keep you motivated though as whenever I have tried to run before I have felt like giving up after the first 10 seconds!

[Cazvs Graduate]

Have fun I'm enjoying it more than I ever thought I would. I'm on week 4 and off out to buy myself some new jeans today because all mine are too big now!

I never thought I'd even be able to run for more than a minute but if you follow the programme you'll be amazed at what you can do. I can run for 5 minutes now without even getting seriously out of breath!

Make sure you take it easy and run slowly. So many people try to run fast but if you pace yourself then you'll find it much easier. My running pace is barely faster than a brisk walk but you can always build your speed up later if you want to.

[rubygloom Graduate in reply to Cazvs]

Thanks Cazvs Well done on reaching week 4! Hope you had fun clothes shopping (I have lots of smaller clothes in the wardrobe that I am hoping to fit back into one day!).

Not found the running quite as bad as I thought I would. I did set off too fast though initially but have found a good pace for me now.

[smhall Graduate]

Welcome, Ruby!!!! I think that you have been given incredible advice in all of the posts!! Have faith in the program, it is wonderful!! More importantly, have faith in YOURSELF!!! YOU CAN AND WILL DO THIS!!!

Keep us posted and Keep Running!!

Steve

[rubygloom Graduate in reply to smhall]

Thanks Steve! Amazed at all of the encouragement I have received so far! Really appreciate it and was thinking of you lot here as I set off on my second run today!

[theredkite]

Hello Ruby. It's nice to meet another who has just signed up. I am looking forward to my first "run" tomorrow, and have agreed to a park run meet on New Years Day. Good luck with your programme and looking forward to keeping up with your progress.

[rubygloom Graduate in reply to theredkite]

Hello theredkite Hope your first run went well! I found it easier than I thought I would and was actually looking forward to the next run. New Years Day will be a rest day for me as I had my second run today but hope it goes well for you!