Couch to 5k complete and utter novice. Please help!

@imamearcat my focus just now is on completing the runs ( a first as normally I'd have given up on anything I started by now) then once I complete the programme I'll focus on speed/distance. It's amazing how many people are giving it a go and surprising themselves with what they can actually achieve!

Op honestly just do it!! I take my hat off to previous posters who are bigger ladies. I can run a bit in a previous life so don't find it too hard but at the same time it's not easy either so really good for you!!

Because I can ( used to) be able to run I also made the mistake of going too fast on day two I think it was. Personally I want to keep the pace up a bit because to run 5k in half an hour, you need to run at a reasonable pace. But I think you will find your natural pace.

I use the BBC one and also use map my run app which tracks your distance and speed.

@gingganggooleywotsit I'm in my 40s, kids & morbidly obese but this morning...

20min 'run' done!!!
Slow as hell but found that in the middle 10mins or so I was totally in the zone. My aim was 10/12 mins then walk a bit if I had to but got to 15mins & felt reasonably ok so kept going. Then she said 18mins & I thought 'I'm buggered if I'm stopping now!' It helped that I had a better playlist as I got lost in the music at times. Actually enjoyed it & what a feeling of achievement - had a big cheesy grin on my cool down/walk back home. 🤩
If you'd told me a month ago I'd be lugging my 21stone ass out for a 20min run I'd have laughed in your face!
Honestly, I I can do it you can x

I just started last week. Similar age/weight/kids to you.

I've found it ok so far. I felt a bit silly the first day but I'm quite into it now. It definitely seems to be a good plan to make running more enjoyable.

You’ll be fine. Report back.

And Saucony.

Good luck.

It’s hard to buy or suggest running trainers as it depends on your gait (the way your feet land when you hit ground). Have a look on Sportsshoes for some ideas? Brooks, ASICS, New Balance and Mizuno are all pretty decent brands.

I don’t know any runners running in Under Armour trainers.

I need headphones. At the start of April I bought a really good Garmin watch because I knew that being able to track my calories burned would motivate me to exercise more so now I need some wireless headphones to go with it for my runs.

Come on OP!!

We’re the same height and very similar weights. I’m a few lbs heavier than you and desperately want rid of 2 stone. Did most of c25k last year then gave up but started in the middle somewhere again last week and have two 8 min runs to tackle tonight.

I'm a similar age, weight, height and have a 3 year old too! Couch to 5k is brilliant, I'm on my third attempt at it now but on week 6 and feel I'm definitely going to complete it all now. Definitely get a good sports bra! And as pp said don't worry about how fast you're going, I go super slow and live somewhere really hilly! But I managed to run for 20mins straight last week, including all the way up a big hill

I use Couch to 5k (by Active). I think it's pretty much identical to the NHS one. I failed week 4 day 1 today but it was 40 degrees so I've forgiven myself. I was supposed to run 3 5 3 5 but only managed 3 5 3 1. Curfew where I am only leaves me with only a 1 hour window in which to exercise. It's a very warm window

@gingganggooleywotsit I could have written your post (age, children, weight) and I just started the programme on Sunday!

I've done two runs so far - the first time I thought would be quite easy (I've been doing Joe Wicks, like you run around after small children, and before the lockdown walked a lot) so I jogged at what I thought was a normal jogging pace. I felt awful afterwards (really achey, dripping with sweat, throbbing head) and really disheartened. I read about lots of other people's experiences (on here and on the HealthUnlocked site that's linked to the NHS app) and they all said to run really slowly, almost as slowly as you can. I did that for my second run yesterday and felt loads better. It was really slow, and I felt a bit silly but then realised I've never looked at someone running and questioned how slowly they were going... I've just thought "they're running, I could never do that!" I felt so much better after that second run, and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's one.

Running is so far outside my comfort zone, and so not me, but I really needed a positive focus and a way to get into better shape as I'm keenly aware that it just gets harder as you get older. If I can do it, so can you!

Good luck

@gingganggooleywotsit, come on, do it!! You can do it, just give it a go. Good luck

@lisalisa yes I do read a lot about Anne Boleyn I find her story fascinating.

@gingganggooleywotsit have you started yet?

I’m
52 and also doing it ! Week 1 R3. Believe me when I say I am literally the last person on earth to do something like this . I am very very overweight and never move . I hsbe never felt more exhilarated now that I have done this 3 times / haven’t quite managed the full duration of each run but am ploughing through
@TheMostHappy - do you identify with / read about Ann Boleyn ? Your username was her motto

I’m on week 6 using the nhs app, struggled in the beginning as I have asthma but managed to run (slowly) for 20 mins on Sunday! Go slower than you think snd just give it a go, I’m do glad I did!

I did W4R2 today using the NHS app & i agree you have to go really slowly then build up - I reckon someone at a brisk walk might pass me but week 1 I thought I was going to die & today I ran 2 blocks of 5mins.

@TheMostHappy I'm like you but did W4R2 today - I got a great tip on another thread for sore shins/ankles which was to use your foot to 'write' the letters of the alphabet in the air with your foot. I rest my heel on the ground but it's made a big difference to me.

I would advise, for the first week maybe, go on YouTube and google the walking workouts. Leslie Sansone is great, you get about 4000 steps in her 30 min work out but she has ones of all lengths, and if you do her boosted walk workouts theres a fair bit of jogging type moves involved. It might be a good idea to ease you in, u think it looks easy and it is easy to follow, but it gets ur blood pumping and is great to get you moving.