I want to be a runner!

Brilliant OP. I was overweight at school, last to be picked for any team. I started running late twenties and now have 3 half marathons and numerous ten ks under my belt. I'm 43, I'm slow and I'm still built for comfort rather than speed, but getting out for a run is fun ( most of the time).
TBH you won't lose weight running unless you are incredibly lucky, but you will if you combine it with reducing cals. It does mean though that you are unlikely to put on weight and you will become fitter fairly quickly.

Well done! How good do you feel now?! Keep it up, some runs will be hard, some you will fly, but all make you a runner.

Well done op (I'll be on the treadmill in the gym in a couple of hours)

Well done op. Very impressed by the first run in the dark!!!!

Well done, OP! The first one is the hardest. Keep at it! Join one of the C25K threads, they are really encouraging.

I'm waiting for DH to get up and I'll be off out too. I live near pathed woodlands, perfect for running.

It's so bright and still outside right now, can't wait to get out and enjoy the silence of it all.

Well done, OP. You went and ran.

You're a runner now

Well done! I am about to go out. I find the first 5 mins hard then I get into a rhythm and you do feel wonderful afterwards!

Of course you can. I did a running course aged 59 yrs and then ran my first half marathon aged 62yrs, I am doing another in March when I will still be 62 yrs. If I can start then, absolutely anyone can do it!
Good luck- go for it!

Wow! Well done, that's brilliant.

You're more motivated than me, I won't be off out for my run until at least 9:30!

I find that running is more than just exercise for me, it's probably as close to anything meditative as I'll ever get. I completely switch off and just feel really in tune with myself when I run. I come back feeling refreshed and mentally recharged.

The first step is always the hardest op, and you've done that already!

Do make sure you sort out some decent footwear though, it is really essential. Any decent running shop will do gait analysis and give you good advice.

I started running in September and love it. Doing a 10k in May and a half marathon in September!

What Kristina said!

You see, op, this thread demonstrates one of the best things about running -other runners. Everyone is so positive and enthusiastic, even through times of illness or injury or just when you CBA.

You won't hear anyone saying " you can't be a runner because you are too old / fat /unfit" . Even from the few responses here you can see that we are all different ages, shapes and speeds. But we are all beating the guys on the sofa and we are proud of it

Tunning?! Running!!

Absolutely! Like you, hadn't run since school ( which I hated). Have heard good things about couch to 5k but I just went out and ran till I couldn't breathe, walked, then ran some more. As time went on I was running more and more and gradually increased the distance. I definately recommend parkrun when you can run 5k. So supportive whatever your speed and time. Tunning us do good not just for fitness but ( for me) time to think too. If you go out and run, you're a runner! I have never regretted going out and running just not going! Go for it!!

agree you dont have to be fast or good, or progress quickly, it took me ages to run more that a few minutes at a time and I'm still very slow but running definitely helps keep my body fat down

There's loads of info on running and weightloss at the Runner's World website:

www.runnersworld.co.uk/weight-loss/37.html

I would say that yes, almost anyone can be a runner. I would also say that anybody can pick up injuries, so it's important to build up frequency, distance and intensity slowly. Surfaces, running style and shoes can also make a difference to avoiding injuries.

As well as web resources, there are plenty of books on running. I like Sam Murphy's - check out her blog and articles here:

www.sam-murphy.co.uk/

Another good resource is the Guardian:

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/running

Good luck and enjoy your running.

I took up running a part of a weight loss thing.
I lost over 3 stone from gym + running and I've kept off most of that as if you run regularly when maintaining weight loss you can eat more and stay the same weight.
I'm not fast and never will be but I love entering races - 5k/10k half marathon, maybe even a marathon one day. Sometimes it's a big event and you've got the company of other like minded people, sometimes I'm second to last in a small race straining to keep ahead of the 70 year old behind me!
I like that I'm competing against myself, but I'm part of the running community - I can talk shop with the young lads at work who are half my age but twice as fast.
I started out running to lose weight.
Now I'm trying to lose more weight to help with the running (another 3 st to be back to healthy bmi)

Another latecomer to running here. I was pretty heavy when I started too. Have done lots of 5ks a few 10ks, including my first x-country one recently, and hope to make it to a half marathon one day. Do you have a Parkrun near you, OP? They are great, and full of beginners.

Of course some are biomecanically more efficient than others, I don't think we can all be ultra-marathoners.

Although I've always exercised I regarded myself as a useless runner until I persevered with it in my mid 40's.

I now do it regularly but also use other forms of exercise, if I relied only on running I'd be overdoing it and end up with injuries.

I didn't start running until I was nearly 40. Did my 1st 10k on my 40th birthday and was hooked.