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Original poster

Advice needed re taking up running. Or a virtual running buddy? Help somehow please!

39 replies

Dumbledoresgirl · 09/10/2012 11:17

I have recently realised that things are on the slide. I have put on some weight and reducing my intake of food is not doing anything to help. I also suffer from a periodic condition presumably connected to the menopause/peri-menopause which means that I am often extremely fatigued and suffer headaches that go on for days, all of which means I have cut down on day to day activity.

I will not let this be the start down the slippery slope to permanent weight gain and total lack of fitness!

So, I recently started following the Couch to 5K running plan

But....oh boy! is it hard! I am hopelessly unfit and really struggle to follow the week one regime after about 10 minutes. I have to rest after the exercise for nearly as long as the exercise itself took!

Have I taken on too much too quickly?

Is there a gentler plan to start on?

How long do I have to continue before I start to see a tiny bit of improvement? I daren't move on to week 2 as I know I won't be able to do it and I don't want to collapse in the street Blush

And finally, is anyone else doing this and would like some mutual support sharing?

OP posts:
ZZMum · 15/10/2012 10:22

So how did you get on? I er failed to go - went swimming instead so today I AM GOING RUNNING >

bohemimum · 12/10/2012 20:36

Dumbledoresgirl..let me share my story in hope of inspiring you... 18 months ago I had never run in my life. I was fatter, wobblier and less confident. i couldn't run for the bus without needing to pee. But I started the couch to 5k and stuck with it. Some days were bloody hard, i lacked confidence and felt like some fat nearly-40 something. Now - I run 4 times a week, fit into my jeans, wobble less and am tarining for a half marathon.. Running has changed my life and it can do yours too. just. don't.give. up. xx

MegTheCat · 12/10/2012 14:02

Hi - I've just started the C25k running plan- just done the 2nd run of week 1. I tried it initially without the podcast - it is much easier with, don't know why. Maybe because she keeps reminding you not to run too fast. I try and run / walk in time with the music on the podcast which seems to fit with gentle for running / brisk for walking.
I am v. unfit and can easily knock myself out for a day or two if I overdo exercise (seriously, 2 days in bed after trying British Military Fitness a couple of years ago)
I decided I don't have to do the whole 30 mins every time - the first time with the podcast I got tired and decided to stop halfway. I just thought well, it's more than I have been doing. The next time I was raring to go and easily did it all.
I'll do 3 proper week 1 runs before I move on though - and if I find the next run hard I'll probably keep going with week 1 for longer.
I'm doing daily (well most days) exercises as well - (from Dr Briffa's "Escape the Diet Trap" - just 12 mins of things like situps, pressups, running on the spot, squats. I can feel myself getting stronger and given how I can make myself ill if I overdo it, little and often is great for me.
I'm also low-carbing (see BIWI's low carb thread - lbd wk 2) which gives me more energy and makes me feel like doing exercise
Would be good to compare notes on the C25K with someone else who's doing it

Original poster
Dumbledoresgirl · 12/10/2012 13:42

It's good that you have the work trip coming up to give you a timescale and incentive. I don't have anything like that, just my own disgust at my recent increase in size and a vague desire to hang on to my youthful body. I am not too fat, just more so than I was a year ago, and horrified at how quickly the weight went on. I am hopelessly unfit though as exercise has never been my thing. I am probably close in age to you too if you are listening to 80s stuff. Smile

I probably won't go out over the weekend (I have not yet told my dh what I am doing as I want to build up a bit of fitness to surprise him with first!) but I am going to start on week 2 on Monday as I found today's run easier than previous times so I think I am ready for the next stage.

Good luck tomorrow!

OP posts:
ZZMum · 12/10/2012 12:38

I am on Week 2 - Day 3 or at least I will be if I ever get ass off sofa to do it - I am using the C25K which I do find OK when i do it as I stick on some bad tunes from the 80s (am very old) and I find I can get distracted for 10-30 seconds at a time and then I come to and realise I am trying to run, am too fat, too old and then it all starts to fall apart.. I am going on a work trip 5 weeks tomorrow and want to lose 10lb so my plan is to use everything that MN has to offer

  • Running
  • BIWI low bcarb diet
  • XLS Fat Binders
  • Gastric Band hypnotherarpy

Also going to try to do the 100 day skin care stuff as well as want to look great and also actually wear some nice clothes rather than looking bloated in usual marquee style clothing..

Sounds like we both need to make some more effort on our commitment to doing the programme - when are you out next - I am going tomorrow!

CoteDAzur · 12/10/2012 11:17

Also, if you have an iPod or iPhone, get the free RunKeeper app which is by far the best out there. You can program your runs in this app so that it tells you (over the earphones) when to start running and when to start walking, maps your run on a map (via GPS), tells you how far you have run, how long it took, average speed etc. It's brilliant!

CoteDAzur · 12/10/2012 11:14

That plan looks a bit harsh. I would recommend BUPA's 5K training program (easy to find on the Internet).

If you are still finding it hard, don't forget that:
(1) You can always repeat a day rather than immediately pass onto the next one
And
(2) It's supposed to be moderately hard. That is how you build up your strength and resistance

You will definitely start seeing an improvement within two weeks and will be shedding weight if you eat well and in reasonable amounts during this time.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 12/10/2012 11:11

Have a look at Micoach. Theres a website and an app. They do all sorts of training plans, including walking ones.

The app just plays on your phone, it uses your own play lists and tells you when to speed up/slow down and records speedvv and distance etc.

The only problem is you need flash to use the website :(

Original poster
Dumbledoresgirl · 12/10/2012 11:06

Oo ZZMum, it would be my pleasure to have someone to compare notes with. Smile

I have just done my second run from week 1, but this is the second week I have attempted week 1 because I am useless at commiting to doing it often enough.

I used the NHS podcast today and it was much better using that than trying to keep time on my watch. I also took the hint from others here and jogged a bit more slowly. The jogging was fine, but there is no way I can "keep up the brisk pace" when walking! I just sort of kept walking, and didn't really pay much attention to how fast it was. I hope that is ok.

So where are you up to ZZMum?

OP posts:
ZZMum · 11/10/2012 15:45

Can I do this with you - am the worst at this in world - am just starting again for the 6th time ... am easily the least unfit person in world and am constantly trying to lose weight and yet constantly eating - be good to have someone to "run" with.. as I also find it so hard...

Babieseverywhere · 09/10/2012 16:08

I totally agree with the running slower bit. When you start running a section, make sure you slow down to a comfortable slow run...speed will come later.

Don't forget you can repeat any week of C25K if you don't feel ready to move on.

I am not sure when you see improvement, as I found all of C25K hard to do at the time. I struggled so much with running even for one minute it was so hard. Yet I staggered though all nine weeks of it and still run three times a week a year later.

C25K is a great running program :)

dotty2 · 09/10/2012 14:34

Hope you get on OK with it - I found it really helpful and motivating and wouldn't have managed to get up to 5k without listening to them. Some people with better musical taste than me complain about the music, though!

Original poster
Dumbledoresgirl · 09/10/2012 12:37

Wow that's really helpful, thank you dotty. I have immediately downloaded week one and will use it tomorrow. It will really help with the timings as when I am jogging, I find it hard to see the second hand on my watch. Thanks Grin

OP posts:
dotty2 · 09/10/2012 11:29

You could try the NHS podcasts for Couch to 5 k. There are threads in both the weightloss and sports and exercise section, but the weightloss one (which I'm on) is maybe a bit gentler. Lots of us were very overweight and/or unfit (or both!) when we started and found it tough. The NHS podcasts give you tips as you go. if you are finding you are on the verge of collapse, I suspect you are going too fast on the run sections - the lovely Laura who narrates the NHS podcasts is always cautioning 'remember it's just a gentle jog'.