I have never run. I'm thinking of trying. I'm scared.

[LowLevelWhiiingeing]

I am unfit and currently very sedentary. I suddenly have a lot of time on my hands whilst I'm looking for a job and inspired by Charlie Brooker's piece this week, I thought I might give it a go.

I've looked at the app he talks about and it starts off with 60 second bursts of running, but I don't think I could even manage that!

I'm worried that I'll just find it too hard/embarrassing...

Any advice gratefully received.

I'm doing this. It is pretty easy. And the runs are so bitesize that it doesn't feel that bad.

And don't run. Jog. Slowly. You can do it.

But be warned it is addictive.

I have downloaded the NHS podcasts which are a good way of doing it. The woman talking to you is very encouraging.

It's hard at first, you will feel like your throat and chest are on fire. You will be horrified at how hard you find it. You'll think about giving up.

But if you stick with it, really quickly you'll find that you can do more and more. You'll find yourself fitter, healthier and with more energy. You'll look better. You'll even enjoy it.

Go to a decent independent shop and get fitted for running shoes. Absolutely the best thing you can do to help yourself. Post having dd I went from not being able to run 100 yards without sobbing to doing 10k runs with ease in about 4 months.

I can get up to 3 minutes as not only a total novice runner but also very unfit. it has taken a couple of months though. Would second the running shoes and the podcasts.

You will love it. Download a couch to 5k podcast, and before you know it you'll be running for 20 mins. I couldn't even run a minute when I stater either. Once you get into it, join a running club as its a lot easier to run with other people.

yes, I confidently predict that I will feel like I'm dying at about 40 seconds, but I really want to feel more energetic and positive.

and not having a job at the moment, I'm just not getting tired enough to go to sleep at night!

I really hope it's addictive as I've always viewed running as something that other, more sporty people do.

Anyhoo, I've ordered some new joggers and stuff, made a playlist to listen to, and the first effort will be Thursday.

thanks for the encouraging words!

oh, and I'm not going to tell anyone. DP is working away so I'll go whilst the kids are at school and hopefully no one I know will see me

Do it lowlevel! I started off like you a few years back - I ran two marathons this year . That might seem impossible to you now, but we all started with walk/run. Just take it slow, and ENJOY it.

Running is a huge part of my life now. One thing I would add to the advice about shoes is a decent running bra. Decent shoes, decent bra, you can't go wrong.

I am in the same position as you op. We could try motivating each other. One thing though does anyone know if you can do couch to 5k on a running machine because i am not up for running in the cold, dark and rain?

Yay! Put on a hat with a visor to help you go incognito and get out there.

It will change your life! It will feel horrible at first but as your fitness improves every run gets easier, your legs will change shape, you will sleep better, your cheeks will be rosy, your appetite will regulate (and you get to indulge once in a while) and eventually you will start to love it (ok, you might not but you you will love how you feel afterwards).
Good Luck!

Help - yes i read on here that you could, but should do on an incline so as to mimic the same conditions as the road - it's easier to run on a treadmill

Do it! I started two years ago and couldn't do the second 2 min run at first. Within 3 months, I was running 20 mins non-stop and was 10 kgs lighter These days, I can run 5 km non-stop in 35 mins [proud] and have my sights on a 10K race in 6 months

Download RunKeeper app for iPhone or iPod. It is fantastic. Shuffle your favorite dance tunes and you are flying!

bob, I'm thinking the dark might help my undercover mission! When are you going to start, let me know.

I'm getting quite excited now I would love to be addicted to something other than as I've never ever enjoyed, or been good at any sport. The thought of the gym just bores me and the crap choice of channels to watch makes it worse. I'm completely uncoordinated so group sports/zumba etc are not for me.

But one foot in front of the other...how hard can it be?

"it's easier to run on a treadmill"

Very popular myth. Just debated this with my trainer, actually.

Remember elementary physics at school? Running is basically a series of projectile motions (shoot yourself up & forward, fall down with gravity) which can be represented with horizontal (forward) and vertical (up) vectors.

On a treadmill, you still produce these two vectors. However, the horizontal vector is countered by an equal vector in the opposite direction by the treadmill, so you stay stationary and run in the same spot. If you were not making the same horizontal effort, you would not be able to stay stationary on the treadmill.

In fact, the only way running on a treadmill would be easier than running on solid ground would be if the treadmill were going forward, in the direction you are running.

A treadmill is a completely flat, smooth, horizontal surface - running outside you have changes in surface, ups and downs, bigger hills, yapping dogs to avoid etc etc so you are working harder to adjust constantly to all this. If it's cold outside you use more energy just to maintain your body temperature. The general thinking is that if you set the treadmill incline to 0.5-1% you can allow for some of these factors.

However, either way it's still better than not running at all!

Good luck OP!

I think the main factor against treadmill running is boredom. Running outside in the fresh air is definitely more fun, but I still do one speed session a week on the treadmill as it's easier to time and harder to cheat by dropping pace. I do find myself counting the minutes on the treadmill though, whereas outdoors you get to people watch, nose in houses, etc etc.

Just take it slow and do only what's on the program, ie, if it says run for 60 secs, then walk for 90s do exactly that. It's amazing how quickly you will build up.

Music (and tv if in a gym) helped me a lot.

take it slowly.
Three years ago I couldnt get to the chinese at the end of my street without wheezing but now can run 10k in 46 mins. If a doddery old, overweight fart like me can do it then so can you.

That is 13 km/hr average! [weeps]

What monkey said. I find it harder to run on treadmill because of the boredom. Also, it is generally cooler outside, making the run much more pleasant.

so...I have my gym gear on...just waiting for iphone to update playlists...

wish me luck!

I did it. I couldn't run for a bus and was always the wheezing kid at school who was always last to be picked for anything.

I downloaded a 6 week plan from the Nike website. The first week was hell and I honestly thought I was going to die. My face was purple, my knees were wobbly and i was more light headed that a teenager downing a pint on an empty stomach.

Fast forward 6 weeks and I was comfortably running 5k without stopping. 5 weeks later I finished a 10k run 15 minutes faster than DH.

nance, that is heartening (still waiting for iPhone here).

I'm certain that I'm going to do that very attractive coughing up a lung thing...

But my new hoodie is lovely

Good Luck. Let us know how you got on.

oh i have wanted to start running for so long now but keep finding excuses not to. i'm scared too. people will see me!!

here are my excuses if anyone fancies blowing them out of the water.

1. i can't afford running shoes or tracksuit stuff BUT i do have a pair of asics patriots that i bought last year from sports direct with the intention of running but have only managed to walk to the shop a couple of times in them.

2. ds2 is still in the buggy. i can't run with him in the buggy BUT he does go to nursery on thursdays and fridays so i have free time then. would it be ok to run just those 2 days/2 days in a row?

3. i walk everyday with my dog, if i were to run (i have started a jog a few times in the past) he would get very excited and just try and take off with me probably dragging on the ground behind him (he is big and strong) how can i run with him and not graze my chin? plus he is only 16 months. too young to be running right?

4)i dont like excercise (it hurts and my hair sticks to my face) or rain (it's wet and yucky and my hair sticks to my face).

OMG I did it.