Just started … again

[JazzH]

I am in my mid 50’s and my weight and fitness levels have been fairly up and down over the last 20 years. Over the last few years it has been up with the weight and down with the fitness so a year ago I decided to give C25K a bash. I set off from my house with large iPhone strapped to my waist, wireless headphones dropping out of my ears every few steps whilst my coach, Michael Johnson (lovely man but wildly over estimating my abilities) assured me I was doing great.

I wasn’t. I couldn’t complete any of the runs on the first session. Defeated, I gave up after the first session.

A few weeks ago I decided to give it another crack. Working 9-5 Monday to Friday it’s difficult to find time to run , or should I say it’s easy to find reasons NOT to run. Too dark, too wet, too busy, too tired …

I thought about joining a gym (again) and running on a treadmill, but peak time means battling to get on the equipment. Then I thought about buying a treadmill but I had no idea what I might be buying or whether it would be a complete waste of money. Everyone assured me it would just sit in a corner, useful only for hanging clothes on. Then I hit on the idea of hiring one. Can you even do that? Turns out, yes you can. £20 a week. Probably more expensive than gym membership but exclusive use and just a few steps to the garage. So I took the plunge…

Treadmill was delivered 2 weeks ago. The chap who delivered it told me in no uncertain terms that just because it was out of sight in the garage didn’t mean I could ignore and did I even have a plan?! Err, I’m planning on doing couch to 5k… Excellent!

So 2 weeks I stepped on it. Soundtrack and guidance on speaker so no earphones dropping out. No worries about the weather or dark nights. New coach. I love you Michael Johnson but Sarah Millican’s ‘fat lass has a go’ approach is what I need right now. Phone in plain sight so I can see how I’m going.

Just started week 3. Long way to go. But so much better than a year ago.

I’m hoping that when I’m fitter and more confident, and the nights are getting lighter I will step outside for my runs. There is a local 5k next March. Hmm. We’ll see.

Jazz

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Oh my word, what a success story, so very well done you….. perseverance, determination and courage is what you have, keep going, we will all cheer you on and wait to see what happens when you venture outside in the spring.

Running is running and you are running 🏃🏻‍♀️

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done your progress.

You. sound like a runner with a plan and I can't see you getting knocked off course.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[JazzH in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you for the welcome and link to helpful information. One thing that might be really helpful is the advice to set the incline on the treadmill to 1 to replicate running outdoors. I also need to look at the advice on stretches as an injury could derail the progress so far.

[Santa_1 Graduate]

Happy days.. keep up the good work.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

It’s brilliant that you’re off on the right foot now! You’re doing a great thing and I’m really looking forward to reading about how you’re getting on. Good luck! 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️

[JetsNanna Graduate]

Blimey! That’s what I call determination. If you’ll go to the length of hiring a treadmill you’re in this to ‘win’ it. Bravo 👏🏼👏🏼🤦🏻‍♀️🐾

[Frenc Graduate]

Well done JazzH 😃. What a great read and a great post. You are on the road to success!

[LottieMW Graduate]

oh very well done you…what a great show of determination!

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼

How brilliant to have a workaround to your problems!

Look forward to following your progress🏃🏻‍♀️

…also…if you can make some free time on a Saturday morning, why not look and see if there’s a Park Run near you. They encourage walkers as well as runners, and it’s great fun!