Any non runners become runners? Tell me you secret!

[GailFawkes]

I can't run, have never been able to run, have tried and failed on many occasion to run but failed miserably each time but if I could run it would be soooooooo useful. Take it anywhere, fit it around DH and the DC's - I would love o be able to run to improve my fitness/loose a bit of weight/ gain some energy - how did you do it?

Do you know why you couldn't keep it up in the past? Lots of people start out too fast and give up because they can't get to the end of the road without ending up as a gasping mess. You need to start really slowly, preferably with a run/walk training plan. Have a look at www.runnersworld.co.uk and find a beginner's training plan.

Good luck

i followed couch to 5k - im not a runner naturally by any stretch of the imagination but i build myself up to do 5k - just started again and hope to be able to do a 10k next year, followed couch to 5k from here.

I have always liked running most of any exercise but was never any good at sticking at anything.

I started Couch to 5K almost 3 years ago - I ran regularly for 6 months until I became pregnant, stopped for a year but started again when dd2 was 4 months old and have been running ever since (about 16 months).

What has helped ?

A good starting programme like nocake says. Couch to 5K is good as you cna download podcasts which make it very easy to follow. Join a thread on here for encouragement/tips etc. I think there is usually a couch to 5K one going.

Getting into a 3x a week habit. Forcing yourself out until it becomes the norm. Ideal if you can set yourself the same time each week. I have to do 2 sessions in the gym a week as dh isn't around much and I need the creche for dd2. I have the same slots each week so it is part of my routine. I then usually do a long run early saturday or sunday morning.

Really wanting to reach a goal - book a 'proper' 5K in for say 3/4 months time so you have time to do a programme and then be comfortable with the distance. Then you have a reason to do it. I did a 5K first time round and then just did a 10K and each 6 months am going to book a longer and longer run until I reach the marathon (gulp).

Also, once you start losing weight/getting fitter/ gain energy that will help keep the momentum up. I lost a fair bit of weight first time round which is what inspired me to get back to it. I know it keeps the weight down and I'm no good at dieting.

Good luck ! You can do it. And for more inspiration think of my mother - she said she couldnt' run, used to cheat at cross country. Decided she needed to lose weight as she had some colestrol issues so started couch to 5K 9 months or so ago and still runs 3 x week and is up to about 6.5K now. She's 66.

Hi there,

I used to hate running when I was younger despite playing quite a lot of sport generally. Probably too many cross-countries runs at school! Had always thought I was just destined to be crap at it.

Anyways, after much badgering, whinging from ex uni mates, ended up signing up in January for a half marathon in September which they all did every year (fully assuming there was more chance of me going to the moon than doing it as couldn't even run for five minutes at that time).

Anyways, ended up doing it! And in a passable time as well. Think the key things were at the time:

• start really slowly, at the start I was literally jogging for just 10 - 15 minutes at a time;

• set yourself really small achievable targets on a weekly basis, like 500m, then 1k, then 1.5k and just allow yourself to build each week;

• don't worry about speed, just think about time on your feet and distance. Go as slow as you feel comfortable (you should be able to hold a conversation while jogging)

• try to fit in about 3 runs per week if you can to build yourself up;

• keep a record of how you're doing... you'll be surprised at just how quickly you improve;

• buy yourself a decent pair of trainers which are properly fitted... I didn't for a while at the start but it made a huge difference when I did;

• accept there'll be some days (like even now) where a run you should be able to do easily will almost kill you for no apparent reason;

Hope that helps!

Oh yes, good point by Wheelybug. Really helps to have a target like a 5K charity run or something... far enough in the future to give you time to prepare for.

ooh yes agree with cestlavie about decent shoes (I ran for, ahem, a year in really really old cheap trainers) and about not worrying about speed - that will come in time (or it might not, but that doesn't matter unless you're off to the olympics ).

Thank you, some top tips here! I have downloaded the couch -5k. DD2 starts at a childminder 2 mornings a week from tomorrow so no excuse really!

I went from considering myself unable to run to regularly running more than 20 miles a week. I'm doing the London Mararthon next year too.

I started with the couch to 5 k but preogressed quicker than the podcast because I already had a good base fitness from a year of mountain biking. Once I could run 5k I just increased time on my feet and now go out 4 times a week.

I'm not fast, won't ever be but my top tip would be to start running alot slower than you think you should. Really it should be little more than walking pace to begin with.

Where's this Couch to 5K. I've just signed up for a 10K run in May. A bit ambitious, to say the least.

You'll be fine for 10K in May. ONce you get to 5, going from 5-10 is easier. Honest.

Google Couchto5K. I think the programme is on a site called Coolrunning(s).com. The podcasts are by a man called Robert Ullrey.

Find someone to run with

It's too easy to give up when you are on your own. The shame of needing to stop when you are with someone else keeps you going

Also, you can have a chat and time flies

what do you mean you can't run? do you fall over? get confused and try going sideways or backwards? forget how to do it?

of course you can run. every able-bodied person can run and that's the beauty of it. you put one foot in front of the other, repeat, speed it up a bit.

the best way of making yourself realise you can run is to find a gentle training plan(like others have suggested) and enter a race. when you line up for your first race you will see that runners come in EVERY shape and size. they run at every concievable speed. the thrill and adrenaline of your first race is AWESOME. and you won't come last. honest.

Thanks for the pointer, I found the website for Couchto5K. I think there's no getting round it, I need to start running at some stage.

I ran as an adolescent, and a bit as a teenager but hadn't run for ages before last autumn. I couldn't even run for one minute without getting completely out of breath. I bought Sam Murphy's book 'Run for Life' and did her 'getting started' programme which has lots of run/walk sessions at the start. Plus I stuck ds3 in a jogging buggy so that I could go running even when he was with me. Since then I've done a 5k race, an aquathlon (run+swim) and a triathlon! I really recommend the book as it's not just a programme - it gives you loads of reasons why running is so good for you, and talks about how to fit it around your everyday life.

Go for it - you'll feel so much better. And the 'keep on running' people here will support you.

I started running in May as a 42 year old unfit unselfdisciplined tubster.

It is now December, I am now 43 and still an unselfdisciplined tubster - but I have just been running in the snow for 30 minutes without stopping. I am thrilled that I can now run for 30 mins whenever I have time. There has been a big difference in my abs (hurrah!)and in my general well being and posture.

I tried the BUPA couch to 5k and did it very slowly because I couldn't be ar$ed to run 3 times a week every week or to "push myself" that much! So I just followed it half heartedly at my own pace...and still got there in the end!!! I even stopped running totally for a few weeks (twice) and picked it back up again.

At the moment I am running on Sat & Sun mornings but aspiring to also fit in a mid week run before work in the cold and the dark!

The lesson is, just keep trying at your own pace and you will be amazed at what you can achieve and how good it makes you feel.

I am primarily motivated to exercise for 30 mins 3 times a week to reduce the risk of horrible diseases and to stay mobile into old age. I haven't yet got the 3 times a week habit I am aiming for but I have improved my fitness loads and also cylce around a lot more which helps too.

So i expect you have more self discipline than me (not hard) and will do much better than me. Enjoy!

Is it possible do you think to start that programme when substantially overweight?

Am desperate to get back to fitness-used to run
about 20 miles a week but that was about 9 years ago and really hate the gym and miss running so much.Also have baddish asthma!

Why not check with your GP? Always a good idea before starting a new exercise programme anyhow.

I am a good 2 stone overweight. There is someone who lives near me who is probably 6 stones overweight who jogs, and the mum of dd's classmate was at least 6 stone overweight, probably considerably more than that, and she now does £10k runs - in a compariatively short space of time, although she is still in her 20s so much younger than me.

Another couch to 5k advocate here. I literally couldn't run more than a few steps when I first started, but it's amazing how quickly you improve.

Hi - I joined a local running group with www.thewomensrunningnetwork and they gave me loads of support. You just need to start off slowly, with part walking, part running and not give yourself a hard time! You will soon get used to it and start running for longer. I am by no means really fit but the network gave me loads of support and guidance.