Starting running.

[babycham42]

I want to start running but I"m not sure how to.I did run a bit a long time ago and I still walk a lot.I would not really want to join a club - it"s something I want to do as it"s free and I can fit it in when I have time. Any advice to help get me started would be very much appreciated.

[OTheHugeManatee]

Come and join us on the Couch to 5K thread! I just did my first run on the programme and it looks like a great, graduated way to build up fitness. Would love to have another complete beginner to swap grumbles with

[babycham42]

Thanks for the link OTheHugeManatee and for the very kind invitation! I will give the thread a read through later and hopefully pop by and say Hi!

[OTheHugeManatee]

There's a training schedule here to get you from inactive to running 5K or 30 minutes continuously in about 2 months. This is the one I'm following, and was surprised that the first session really wasn't that bad.

One thing though: if you haven't done so already, go to a specialist running shop and get advice on buying suitable running shoes. Different people have different gaits eg heel down first, toe down first; different running shoes can help to balance your individual gait so you don't risk putting undue strain on your body. Don't make the mistake I made as a teenager: I started going running wearing a pair of cheap aerobics trainers and ended up with shin splints, which was't pleasant.

A decent trainer shop will get you to try on different shoes and then run up and down in them, and advise you on which ones are suitable for your gait.

Good luck, and see you on the C25K thread!