Couch to 5k

[Foreverfriends]

Hi 👋🏿 I want to start couch to 5k can anybody advise the right way to go about this??

[lucigret]

Morning Foreverfriends,

I am sure somebody will come along with lots of advice, but in the meantime how about taking a look at this Community

healthunlocked.com/couchto5k

As you have probably guessed, I am not a runner

[Foreverfriends in reply to lucigret]

Lol me too but want to get into it!

[lucigret in reply to Foreverfriends]

Good for you, I know people that say it has changed their lives and brings them a lot of joy - wishing you good luck

[Fifie]

When I first did C25K 7 years ago, I was a size 18, had a 6 month old baby and had never run a day in my life. Hated running at school as was always made to feel slow and fat by the other girls.

The best way to start is just to start. Join the C25K forum on here as they are a great bunch of people and just keep going.

I’ve since run several 5k and 10k races and have been so proud of myself.

(Then injured my calf and haven’t been able to comfortably get back into it, so currently I’m not running but doing other exercise instead)

I’m still a size 18 (and a bit more) but I’d like to get back into running one day as it’s so easy to leave the house at your own convenience rather than travel to a class at a certain time.

My top tip is not to go too fast- everybody goes too fast to start with and gets too out of breath.

Good luck

[ExcitableElf]

I agree - just start! Some weeks will be hard and others will fly by - just go for it. Download the app and it will guide you. Sometimes you’ll feel like you can run for longer than it’s asking you to, and my advice then would be to try to hold yourself back. Like with weight loss, the more steadily you build it up, the easier it is to maintain.

[Foreverfriends in reply to ExcitableElf]

Thank you I agree slowly and steady is the best

[Lumpyloo]

Download the app or the podcast. Don’t worry if you have to repeat weeks. Also it has a 5 minute warm up, this was too short for me, so walk for longer at the start and for the cool down if you need to. I chose a flat route when I started and repeated weeks to put hills in. I live in Yorkshire so flat is difficult, being able to do hills has a distinct advantage.

[Foreverfriends in reply to Lumpyloo]

True I live near a park which has a hill will do the trick hopefully thank you

[OddJen]

I found the NHS C25K 5 years ago. It took me 7 weeks to complete the programme. I lost 5 stone by running and I now regularly complete distance runs, my longest is a half marathon which I do every year. I love running and am so thankful I found the programme. Im not going to lie, the first few weeks was so hard, but remember you have to build up your stamina, don't worry if you cant complete a week the first time, just re-do it until you've completed it, it all comes to us at different times. Good luck!

[Oldandache]

I would suggest going to a sports shop to get proper running shoes. I would get sore legs at first. Then bought shoes and gel insoles. Made a huge difference. Then. Start. (I did it in the dark so less people could see me!!!!!)