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Original poster

Overweight and unfit. Will running for 10 minutes a day help me at all?

35 replies

blearynweary · 16/03/2016 09:44

I'm about a stone and a half overweight and facing 50 this year. I've stupidly entered a 5k in June. I really want to 'be a runner' (I was a good runner when younger). Over the last few years I've had a broken foot twice and a knee operation which used part of my hamstring to reconstruct my ACL. So I suppose its not surprising that I've been too scared to run much. Last week I decided I just needed to START running. I've previously done Couch to 5k but found it quite boring at the beginning and lost interest by week 5 or 6!

So I've been getting up early and going for a run along the lane outside my house (I take the dogs they love it Hmm). Just for 10 minutes, I set the timer on my phone. I don't run fast, I think I probably look like a very old woman, I probably don't even cover 1.5k. I have a vague plan of running for 10 minutes until I feel confident then slowly upping the minutes. This morning I went off a bit quick and really felt it by the end, although I absolutely love speeding up and pushing myself for the last 30 seconds!

I would love any support,advice or encouragement!!

OP posts:
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feetheart · 10/04/2016 12:36

Have a look at the parkruns near you, some have started 'walking platforms' to encourage people and others have particular days for new runners to encourage nervous people along. parkrun will make EVERYONE welcome :)

feetheart · 10/04/2016 12:33

The only people who will leave you in the dust are the kids :o

Original poster
blearynweary · 09/04/2016 20:44

Whoops name changed for a delicate matter and didn't change back!

OP posts:
parissont · 09/04/2016 20:43

Thank you AyeAmerok!

Original poster
blearynweary · 09/04/2016 20:42

I am not quite brave enough to do a park run. I want to be able to do 5k in under 40 mins before I try.

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StrawberryMouse · 09/04/2016 18:58

Well that's good to know feet, I was imagining being left in the dust by everyone else there. Dogs included. Grin

feetheart · 09/04/2016 15:40

StrawberryMouse - ignore the times at the pointy end of a parkrun. Look at the results of the second half of the runners, that's where us mortals are :)
Our slowest finishers today were at nearly 55 mins and that's about normal for us. We have runners, run/walkers and walkers and everyone is cheered round. The support from volunteers and other parkrunners will really help you get round.

StrawberryMouse · 09/04/2016 12:21

I'm a beginner runner hoping to improve too so will lurk here if nobody minds and definitely have a look at that zombie run app. I comfortably managed 30mins on the treadmill yesterday when only a few weeks ago I struggled to do ten without stopping and am feeling quite surprised (and pleased) at progress.

It still takes me 40+ mins to do a 5k though and looking at my local park run, there are so many completions in 20mins and under. Im still at the stage where that seems impossible!

AyeAmarok · 09/04/2016 08:42

Also forgot, I'm also one who speeds up for the imaginary finish lines for the last 30-60 seconds Grin

AyeAmarok · 09/04/2016 08:40

Well done bleary! It's been great reading this thread this morning. You sound as though you're doing really well.

I also run to the Archers Grin

Re the days were legs feel heavy and like lead, yes they do happen. On those days I just tell myself to go a bit slower and that "this run is for my head", as in, this run is to improve my determination and perseverance, rather than being a run that makes me faster.

So you should feel proud of yourself on those days too. And it's all still distance in the legs, which is always a plus no matter what speed.

Original poster
Blearynweary · 09/04/2016 08:20

*mix!

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Original poster
blearynweary · 09/04/2016 08:19

Thanks, good tip. I downloaded the archers which makes the first 12 mins fly by! Then I listen to club hits 2014 on Google play which I really like as the tunes are very uplifting rather than madly fast. I get really bored with my own music so it's good to listen to a minimum where I don't know what's coming next.

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EATmum · 09/04/2016 08:11

That's great, well done! It's about three years since I started running and did C25K and built up to a half marathon eventually. These days park run tends to be my option, but I'd definitely recommend audio books if you get bored with your thoughts/music. The Goldfinch got me running longer than I'd planned each time.

Original poster
blearynweary · 09/04/2016 07:46

I'm not running today as I did 3.5k (hilly!) on Thursday and 3k yesterday. Calves are a bit sore so resting today. I only need to do 1.5k tomorrow to reach my 10k target. Still not confident enough to do a park run but if I keep going I may be able to try in May Smile

Go for it bikerunski!

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BikeRunSki · 09/04/2016 07:40

Thank you bleary. I'm sitting here in running gear but was heading for a morning of CBeebies and toast with the DC. You've given me that push to actually go out ! I'm doing c2 5k again. Was running loads 18 months ago, but have struggled with injury, illness and workload recently. Week2 Run1 here we go...,

megletthesecond · 09/04/2016 07:40

I came on here to say yes but you've already established that for yourself Smile . We up early on a weekend to go to parkrun.

Glad you've found some ideal trainers, there's so much choice it's hard to know what will suit you until you've done a few runs.

Ilikesweetpeas · 09/04/2016 07:38

You sound like you're doing amazingly well! I'm going to try that zombie run app

feetheart · 09/04/2016 07:38

That's brilliant, thanks for the update. It's quite addictive this running lark :)

chutneypig · 09/04/2016 07:37

Well done, that's great progress!

Original poster
blearynweary · 09/04/2016 07:33

I'm still running! Now running about 10k a week and can run very slowly for 20 mins+. Am really enjoying it. I've had a couple of tough runs where legs felt like lead and I couldn't wait to stop for the first 10 mins but I know if I stay steady it gets better. I bought saucony glide trainers which have been brilliant for my plantAr fasciitis. Smile

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guerre · 22/03/2016 11:17

The zombie run thing sounds hilarious.
Well done on your training - you're really doing well! Halo

Hufflepuffin · 22/03/2016 11:14

I love the couch to 5k apps for when you have half an hour to spare, they start of mainly walking with 30 second runs and build gently from there, you can listen to your own music too. I repeated weeks until they felt easy before moving onto the next ones. Sounds like the dogs would love it too!

Original poster
blearynweary · 22/03/2016 11:11

Just checking in to say I am still doing it! In fact yesterday I did Zombies Run - only set it for 20 minutes but I can honestly say that the zombie chase parts nearly killed me. I think I might carry on doing it once a week for the next couple of weeks as well as my normal 10 minutes.

I am just WAITING for the injury to kick in. Its really psychological. My legs and feet don't feel too bad (I have plantar fasciitis but am managing it with really good trainers and painkillers). But I have a really stiff sore shoulder and a sore throat - its like I get so far into running and then have to wimp out with injury.

I should just run through it shouldn't I? I mean 10 minutes isn't going to particuarly hurt me?

I do feel very, very tired as well.

OP posts:
BlueChampagne · 16/03/2016 13:15

Good for you. I'm sure after a while you'll find yourself speeding up and running for longer. And the perfect time of year to start too - you can watch spring and summer unfold. A variety of nice routes helps fend off boredom.

feetheart · 16/03/2016 12:00

That's what music and running friends are for :)

May also be worth looking up a decent local sports physio just in case you start to have any niggles. They will tell you what it is, treat anything that needs to be treated and give you exercises to strengthen areas that need it. Not cheap but worth their weight in gold to get you back running again when niggles are stopping you and you are driving everyone crazy :o

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