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Original poster

Don’t let me back out. Nervous.

29 replies

RunnerBeanWalkerBean · 18/04/2023 17:38

I’m going to a running session at the local track tonight. It’s my first time and I’m bricking it.

I’ve had a couple of emails with the club and they seem really nice and have assured me that the fact that I’m a bit old, a bit chubby and very unfit won’t stop me from being able to take part. I’m still terrified.

It’s in an hour and I’m frozen to the sofa and haven’t even gotten changed.

Tell me that I’ll be home again in a couple of hours and will be glad I went. I don’t want to back out but I can feel my resolve fading with each tik tok of the clock!

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ValBiro · 29/04/2023 21:06

I remember the first time I turned up to a club training session I was shaking like a leaf! Like literally felt a bit sick with nerves! I've made some good friends since then and run with them several times a week. My fitness and pace has massively improved too and I love how inclusive the club is of all ages and abilities.

Keep at it OP, you were brave to do two track sessions back-to-back, I only ever do them every other week (road training on the alternate weeks) so I am not surprised you felt a bit wobbly the next day!

Jumbojem · 29/04/2023 14:44

So glad to hear. Just remember, the fast people had to start out like you I imagine before you know it you'll be able to do more reps and be faster. Just keep showing up and having fun!

Original poster
RunnerBeanWalkerBean · 25/04/2023 21:49

It was good. It was tough again but I feel so good now. I almost didn’t do the last lap as I felt I was done but I got nudged along by the others and I’m so glad I did. Everyone is being so nice there, there’s some seriously good runner and I’m the slowest my miles but nobody has made me feel unwelcome or rubbish about my slowness.

OP posts:
Jumbojem · 25/04/2023 16:46

Good luck! It will be ok and don't worry about pace, with the structured training you are likely to get faster as the weeks go on.

Original poster
RunnerBeanWalkerBean · 25/04/2023 07:39

Thanks. I’m going again tonight. Already feeling nervous!

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Soapyspuds · 24/04/2023 21:49

As the saying goes.

You are going faster than the people sitting on the sofa.

It takes time to build up cadio fitness. Please keep at it

Paperbagsaremine · 24/04/2023 17:39

Give it a month or two OP, everyone has bad days and it takes a while for the benefits of training to show up.

Training breaks down the body and it's when the body rebuilds itself that we get faster and stronger.
For different people there are different timescales for recovery and seeing the benefit from a session - some can train hard every week or every other day, other people do better having a tough session (and 'tough' is relative!) no more than once a fortnight. With the latter, if they try doing a second hard session a week after the first, they're still recovering from the week before and it doesn't go well.

Consistency is the bedrock of training so even crap, incomplete sessions have an effect.

There can be reasons for people not doing well in a session - iron levels (doing a speed session shortly after giving blood is remarkably awful!), lack of sleep, stress, illness. If you're fairly new to exercise you may not be used to even considering these sorts of things.

I had COVID (not badly! A few days in bed, that was all) last year ... and my fitness, and ability to recover after any exercise, were both badly hit and still slowly returning now.
Another friend changed her diet a bit and ended up with anaemia.

Or you might just be going off a bit too hard.

Anyway - I'd say keep coming, get advice from the coach (shorter or fewer reps if you're feeling tired maybe) and re-evaluate at the end of June.

Freda999 · 22/04/2023 12:57

Keep going. I started a C25k type thing last November and still struggle some days. Not every run feels great, some are really tough and I've given up and walked a couple. But I've still done them.

JT69 · 22/04/2023 08:59

Don’t give up OP. My husband runs half marathons (a full one in London tomorrow!). He has off days and moans for days about his timings, pace, ….. 🙄You are doing much better than me as I don’t run . Good luck

GeorgeTheFirst · 22/04/2023 08:54

But you went. And you were faster than all the people still on the sofa. Keep at it!

Original poster
RunnerBeanWalkerBean · 22/04/2023 08:48

Well I think I made a bit of a fool of myself last night. I couldn’t finish the laps, was slower than everyone (even young children).

I’ll go again on Tuesday but don’t have the buzz I had after Tuesday. They were all really nice but I felt like a right plonker.

OP posts:
Original poster
RunnerBeanWalkerBean · 20/04/2023 12:36

Thanks all. Next session is tomorrow and I’m feeling quite achy but also looking forward to it a little bit.

I’ve told myself that when I’ve been going a month, I’m going to buy myself one of the club t-shirts.

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Soapyspuds · 19/04/2023 21:51

That sounds like a good session. I bet you are keen to go back for the next one. Assuming the soreness if not too bad.

astarsheis · 19/04/2023 17:55

Good on you for getting out there. Next time will be easier already because you won't be stressing about the 'first time'. Just take it at your own pace, you will soon see improvements. Enjoy!

FabFitFifties · 19/04/2023 17:23

🌟

AutieAdult · 19/04/2023 07:58

Well done

Original poster
RunnerBeanWalkerBean · 18/04/2023 22:43

It was an endurance session so did 800m twice with a minutes break then 700m twice with a minutes break in between etc down to 400m some were doing sprints and jobs but I just plodded.

it was really tough but everyone was so supportive and I’m still on an endorphin buzz.

OP posts:
Soapyspuds · 18/04/2023 21:44

Give us some more details. What was the session?

midgemadgemodge · 18/04/2023 21:44

StarSmile

Original poster
RunnerBeanWalkerBean · 18/04/2023 21:43

I went. It was tough. I sweated a lot.

I feel so glad I went though! Thanks for the encouragement. I’ve never run so much before and am so proud of myself. They were really supportive and no one was judgey about my wobbly legs in leggings or my super slow pace.

OP posts:
Soapyspuds · 18/04/2023 21:39

The hardest part is walking up and saying hi for the first time. You really will enjoy it, get those trainers on

This

Moredarkchocolateplease · 18/04/2023 18:25

Have fun! And if the running club has the initials MR I know you will have an awesome lovely supported evening. 😊

DustyLee123 · 18/04/2023 18:22

Go for it !
Let us know how it was.

onlyoneoftheregimentinstep · 18/04/2023 18:22

You can do it! I started running in my 50s when I was three stone overweight and very sedentary. In my 70s now, and can only manage long brisk walks but I've kept the weight off and still really enjoy the exercise.

Original poster
RunnerBeanWalkerBean · 18/04/2023 18:21

Ok. I’m changed and ready. Gulp.

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