The All New MSE Running Club.

barbarawright

Commit to it for a month and then look back and see how far you've come. Even 'I can run three blocks when I used to collapse after one' is a great improvement. Re. the Couch to 5k - there are plenty of smartphone apps for it so check the Google Play store or whatever, then you can listen to your own music or the radio while waiting for the next cue. I'm a a very overweight 50-something, started running in 2012 and I have a couple of 10ks and an HM under my belt. OK, I can near the back in all of them but so what? I'm faster than the people on the sofa

vegasvisitor

Sounds a bit like me a couple of years ago. I did a Couch to 5k type of plan, using a smartphone. You could do it with a stopwatch though. Can buy them cheaply on ebay. All you need to be able to do at first is time yourself and do 30secs jog, 30 secs walk etc. Build up each week as per the plan.

Quite sensible doing some walking too, but don't let the walking put you off starting the running. You'll find the initial runs are really only about 20 min sessions, so you could do your 3 sessions along with a long walk on one of your rest days. That way you are cross training a bit (although walking is so similar). I only got to 3k initially as it was what I felt comfortable doing. I knew I could do 5k, but quite enjoyed 3k. I now do parkrun every week and I try to get out through the week when I can. Last year I built it up a bit and did a 10k in October. I've only gone as far as 8k this year as it's about there I get sore knees! I'll probably keep trying. Just back from a holiday so need to get on with it again.

You can do it, but you need to come up with a plan and start the running part. Stick to the plan. Even if it rains. You'll soon get used to the rain.

Keep us posted! I want to hear how well you're doing in a few weeks

nikki2804

Lady_Bee wrote: »

Hi all

I posted on the couch 2 5K thread and whilst I got some great advice from some people on there (who I think are also on here) I didn't get any takers with the challenge so I'm pitching up here if that's okay?

Background, I'm late 30's and need to get moving. I'm not overweight but just not very fit and haven't done any regular exercise for many years. Now I'm pushing on in age I realise that this really isn't good! I'm at a desk all day and drive to and from work with no other option so not much movement going on during the day.

I've downloaded the NHS app although only on my tablet, won't work on my phone for some reason so I've taken a look at it. Being so unfit I thought it would be wise to get some steps clocked up by walking before I jumped into the whole running thing, I have a Fitbit One to clock this.

Last week I did a walk after work and then on Sunday I plotted a route and went for it. I felt pretty knackered when I got back and I was aching a bit yesterday but when I looked at the Fitbit I was so demoralised, over the whole day I had walked 6.93 km but it was only 9336 steps, not even close to the elusive 10,000 steps even with that long walk! This has made me feel like giving up, who decided on 10,000 steps anyway?!

I've just read this back and I'm whinging, I do apologise . I just feel like giving up before I start, the fitbit is not my friend at the moment as I'm sure it's telling me lies (I know it isn't).

Any words of encouragement for me please? I know getting out and doing this walking is better than doing nothing but I feel like it isn't achieving anything so isn't worth the bother. I'm happy to do all this stuff on my own, I'm not interested in roping in a friend or joining a running club or anything like that at the moment as I'm a bit anti-social

Thanks for listening :rotfl:

You might need to reset your fitbit, according to some it can 'glitch'. I did 22,000 steps yesterday but that was an almost 10 mile walk, the wee one wouldn't sleep, thought a walk to Tesco and back would make her sleep, did it nought. Bumped up my step count though :rotfl:

Lady_Bee

Thanks for the encouragement people, it's much appreciated.

After lots of excuses and putting it off I finally went out after work last night to do 'Week 1 day 1'! I managed to download an app in the end so am using this. I almost didn't want to leave work as I knew that I didn't have any excuse not to do it yesterday but I got home and got my gear on. I actually struggled to get out of the front door as I was feeling very self conscious. I thought about doing some stuff in the garden but decided this really wasn't going to be productive enough so I eventually plucked up the courage and left the house. I left in such a rush that I left the patio door wide open :rotfl:

There is a small field nearby that is just over five minutes walk away so I went there and boy was it hard. I had a bit of a false start as I didn't hear it telling me to start running the first time but I managed to complete the rest of it and then incorporated the cool down as the walk home. The 60 seconds is about right for running, probably couldn't have managed much more. I'm definitely as unfit as I thought I was.

When I got home I saw two of my neighbours so had to say hello to them with a bright red face so I think that has probably helped my self consciousness! I'm aiming to do day 2 on Sunday and will definitely continue now I've got the first hard step out of the way.

I will keep you updated, I think it will be slow progress but it's a start

barbarawright

Lady_Bee wrote: »

Thanks for the encouragement people, it's much appreciated.

After lots of excuses and putting it off I finally went out after work last night to do 'Week 1 day 1'! I managed to download an app in the end so am using this. I almost didn't want to leave work as I knew that I didn't have any excuse not to do it yesterday but I got home and got my gear on. I actually struggled to get out of the front door as I was feeling very self conscious. I thought about doing some stuff in the garden but decided this really wasn't going to be productive enough so I eventually plucked up the courage and left the house. I left in such a rush that I left the patio door wide open :rotfl:

There is a small field nearby that is just over five minutes walk away so I went there and boy was it hard. I had a bit of a false start as I didn't hear it telling me to start running the first time but I managed to complete the rest of it and then incorporated the cool down as the walk home. The 60 seconds is about right for running, probably couldn't have managed much more. I'm definitely as unfit as I thought I was.

When I got home I saw two of my neighbours so had to say hello to them with a bright red face so I think that has probably helped my self consciousness! I'm aiming to do day 2 on Sunday and will definitely continue now I've got the first hard step out of the way.

I will keep you updated, I think it will be slow progress but it's a start

That's great that you made a start :beer: By about week 3 you'll really notice progress - you'll realise you've run past a tree or a lamp-post that used to be your signal to stop for a little break :rotfl: What I would advise you *not* to do is get ahead of the programme. The rest days are really important - that's when your body is recovering and actually building the muscles. And a few minutes stretching after each run really makes a difference. I like to stick one leg on a bench or wall and stretch as much as possible for about 45 seconds

cottyh24

Another post newbie here, hope you don't mind me joining in.

I finished the c25k programme on 7th May although I couldn't complete the 5k in the allotted 30 minutes. I've since run that distance 3 times - my fastest time was 36m37s, the slowest 38m34s. Annoyingly I've got slower each time, not faster. I've entered Race for Life 5k in July and my aim is to get to about 35 mins before then but I'm not sure it'll happen. I'm not naturally sporty so even a 5k run is hard for me. Looking at the distances some of you run is overwhelming. I really can't imagine how you do it.

Ideally I'd like to move to 10k but need to get more comfortable with running 5k first - assuming that is ever going to happen.

I'm going for a run tomorrow morning - not my favourite time to run but I need to get used to it before Race for Life - so hopefully I'll speed up again.

barbarawright

I think it is a real flaw in the C25K that it sets the 30 minute target. If you're really overweight, middle-aged and unfit at the start (like me!) I don't think it's that realistic a goal. I can only do about 35 minutes though I'd like to knock a few minutes off that next year. So don't worry, cottyh24, I'm sure you'll be fine a the Run for Life and there'll be lots of people walking half of it

Dustyblinds

Hi, can I join you all please? I've just finished day 3 of week 2 c25k, I'll be back when I catch my breath ��

Dusty

silvertabby_2

Can I join too please. I started the C25K 30 March 2015 (running alone) and completed my first 5k Park run on Saturday 30 May, not very fast but I did complete it. I never thought I could run so am very pleased with my progress. I will be 50 next year so my aim is to be fit at 50, I have a year to work on it.

vegasvisitor

Definitely don't let the 30 min goal get you down. Over 2 years on my pb is 32.18! So it's just not always possible, but whatever you do is still and achievement!

Cottyh24 - have you considered upping your distance to see if it improves your stamina, then once 7 or 8k is comfortable you might up your pace on the 5k? Worth a try, and at least that way you're still achieving something else? I don't think there's anything wrong with your time by the way. Plenty of people at parkrun who are running in that time and you can see they are genuinely trying their best! It always puzzles me how some folk seem to just be able to go so much faster than others.