Exercise junkie new to running couch to 5 k?

[happilyeverafter]

I am wanting to start running and havent done it before,

I currently swim (one mile/once week) spin (3 classes/week) cycle (120 miles/week average spread over 2 or 3 days). I shred sporadically but find it interferes with cycling (muscle aches affect my training)

I am definitely not superfit but have a good level of aerobic fitness so was hoping i would pick up running a little easier. I am on holiday for 15 days from next week so was going to take my shred dvd since the aching wont matter as i wont be spinning/cycling and maybe start running out there.

I have downloaded c25k but didnt know if this aimed at exercise virgins or would be ok? Should i try it as prescribed and if it seems too tame move on faster? Any suggestions welcomed.

[not1not2]

I can't answer your question sorry
but I have to ask how do you manage all that exercise with kids?

[midtowner]

Hi happilyeverafter. Come and join us on the couch to 5k threads . We are a friendly bunch, and there are people at all stages from beginners to graduates.

You sound pretty fit, so you'll find it easy!

[happilyeverafter]

Thanks, will do midtowner.

Not1not2 I work part time and have just one dd. I swim a twilight session when she is in bed, get up at 6am to cycle at weekends leaving her with dh until i get back mid/late morning and do spin class straight from work so she has dinner with grandparents/dh those 3 days and I eat alone when i have put her to bed.

This is why i liked idea of running as i can go early before she wakes up or late night when she is in bed!

[foxinsocks]

I think you are deluded if you think that swimming one mile a week, doing 3 spin classes and cycling 120 miles per week isn't superfit.

[PeskyPiskie]

Happily - compared to me who is struggling through C25K I would say you seem superfit but if you do want to start C25K I would think you wouldn't want to start at W1. This is only 60 secs of running. Why don't you try W3 and see how you get on from there? See you over at the C25K, although I'm more of a lurker than a poster .

[TennisFan]

I would say start at week one, as you can be super fit for cycling and other sports, but running is completely different.
A bit like, getting your breathing right for swimming.

You probably wont struggle with week one, wheras for others just running for one minute is difficult the first time, and you can't imagine even repeating it 8 times.

It is a well thought out system and it really works. I dont know how it works, but it really does. I was so pleased with myself when i first managed a 20min run I wanted to tell the world.

unfortunately i now have achilles problems, and have had to leave it for over 2 months, so i will be back to the beginning again - but at least this time round i know it will be possible

[Threaders]

You are certainly fit in a cardio-vascular sense if you can perform that amount of exercise routinely.

What I would say is that swimming, spinning and road cycling are all very low impact forms of exercise. Running is very high impact. So while your heart and lungs and muscles should be able to cope with running moderate distances with relative ease, your knee and ankle joints and lower body bone structure may not be so receptive.

If you have literally never done any running before, take it very easy to start with. Even if you feel like you could run all day, the impact could do you some serious injury if you over-do it too quickly. Listen to your body, get out there and run but do it sensibly and of course, have fun!

[happilyeverafter]

Thanks all for advice. I am tempted to get the first run in tomorrow as have the day off (ostensibly to pack/clean) but need to be cautious as have a 60 mile sportive to cycle on Saturday and it's a hilly one. I hear what you are saying threaders about the impact on joints etc, that is what has always put me off running!

Good luck getting back into it tennisfan.

[chocoholic]

Why not just have a go and try to get round 3km to start with. Stop if you need to but otherwise just go slow and get round it.

[happilyeverafter]

Run 1 completed, I enjoyed it which I wasn't expecting! Did 3k following the walk/run instructions on iphone (using Get Running app) most of time but had to suppress the urge to run longer. My calf felt tight from about halfway through, I have no idea about form/technique so will need to look into this. I also wasn't sure how fast I should be running, I was wearing my heartrate monitor so just stuck to a speed that kept my heartrate at 80%.

Had spin class straight after which woke my legs up again.