to ask if there are any runners out there?

[OAAN]

I'm so unfit.

Had a baby 6 months ago and have started running. I'm enjoying it so far but I can't even manage 0.3 miles without stopping.

I have a pretty solid and achievable plan (half booked in 5 months). Written by doctor and ultra marathoner! Starting off with mere 1 mile slow runs.

Does it take a long time to start getting the hang of it? Any tips?

I'm exceptionally motivated if that helps!

Follow Auntie Stella link and topic guide for the running chat you could ever wish for. Welcome

There’s been lots of good advice, but just wanted to drop in to say WELL DONE!

Excellent that you’ve got a plan and sound so motivated be sure to use the MN threads for support if you feel that motivation dropping. Good luck.

Oh. Wait. My No1 piece of advice actually:

SLOW DOWN

Out of breath? Slow down!

Not feeling like you can do the distance that you’d planned? Slow down!

I did my first marathon yesterday. SLOW DOWN was the thing that got me round and feeling relatively healthy today :)

MyToothPain - WOW!! Well done for your marathon! Really great achievement. I’ve only done one but hope to do more. My legs were ruined the day after mine so it sounds as if you had the right plan!

Re slowing down - buying a basic Garmin would be a good purchase. I use mine to make sure I’m not plodding when I want to up my pace or, that I’m not sprinting on when I need to be steady.

the run-walk method didn't really work for me. I had to, as the previous poster says, SLOW DOWN. Once I was running so slow I could continue running for more than a few hundred yards, I improved rapidly and could then start working on the speed. Yes, you might be end up running slower than you would walk, doesn't matter.

I always maintained I couldn’t run but a friend - who was doing half marathons - suggested I start REALLY slowly, and on a treadmill so I couldn’t go any faster. I started off at a sort of shuffle, that was barely more than a walk and suddenly I found I COULD run! I run at about 9km/hour now and I’m up to doing 2km in a few months (I’m having to increase slowly due to existing injuries and having had several breaks due to travelling/being ill).

If I can do it, you can!

I'd second the suggestion that you look at Jeffing made above - the idea is that you run a number of seconds and then walk upto 30 seconds - I do half marathons at 90 seconds run 30 seconds walk - its much kinder on your muscles etc.

waves to @LoudestRoar - I'm also on the girls that Jeff facebook page!!

@Londonmummy66 waves back!
I honestly wouldn't have finished the marathon last year if it wasn't for that group.

Start doing parkrun on Saturday's if you can! Running in numbers is hugely satisfying and getting a time each week will help your progress

If you can walk at an average pace for an hour, you can Parkrun. Actually you could do it slower than that and it wouid still be fine. Wheelchairs also welcome (depending on terrain, but the vast majority are suitable) but you only get a time if you are self propelling (hope that terminology is OK). Dogs welcome too, one per human, on lead at all times.

Don't wait until you think you can run the whole way. Parkrun is more a community activity event than one of running prowess.

I saw an article about things experienced runners wished they had done as novices - near unanimity on 'start Parkrun earlier'