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.

Well done.
Was it really awful? Or did you secretly enjoy it a little bit?

it was, er, OK!

I went to our local park, so the trees were beautiful and the drizzle helped with the burning cheeks. I did feel very self-conscious, and I'm sure I got some mocking looks from park keepers ho hum.

I struggled with the 5th out of 8 runs and had to walk a bit longer, but I kind of did the rest of it properly. I was properly exhausted at the end though and had to sit panting in the car for a bit before I could drive home!

I've just texted my DP and DB who are like

I didn't enjoy the feeling of the running, but I hope this will come.

Thanks y'all for your encouragement and advice

Yay, you did it!

I know it feels hard at first, but it's only because you're not used to it. It will come. I've just started a new strength/circuit class and did the second one today, honestly I was aching all over and puffing and panting - but it WAS easier than last week.

Most people aren't actually looking at you at all when you're running, but you know what, even if they are, I bet you're doing a damn sight more exercise than they are.

Have you thought of doing a parkrun? It's a free, timed 5k - you just register on their website, print off a barcode, find your nearest, and turn up and run (they are usually at 9 am on a Saturday). They then put your finishing time on their website and the aim is to beat your personal best. No need to be shy, my local one includes kids/pushchairs and dogs and there is a huge range of finishing times.

Best of luck.

Lowlevel you have inspired me to give it a go! I keep seeing glimpses of this couch to 5k malarkey, and would love to be able to run - now is as good a time as any to try!

Have downloaded the podcast. First attempt at running scheduled for tonight after work...

I have just realised I am absolutely RAVENOUS!! I came home and had a normal lunch, but hunger pangs still there. I've just had to have 2 slices of toast. that's not good is it?!

Thanks for the reassurance monkey I'll see if I can run for longer than 60 seconds before I sign up for anything!

good luck incroyable, let me know how you get on.

Oh I am starving after running, just make sure what you eat is good

So - when are you going again?

yeah, toast and butter, ahem...

The app told me to rest tomorrow, but that will be my only opportunity until next Thursday due to one thing and another.

Would it be very bad to try again tomorrow?

So great, LLW! It's normal for your appetite to rev-up a bit when you start a new activity but it should even out again. Make sure you have some protein as a snack afterwards or with a meal to help repair muscle tissue. Keep up the good work .

What's the app that Charlie Brooker is referring to in his article?

Thanks pop, I forgot about the protein thing. DP does that after a workout.

It's called Get Running, he tweeted it. there are other Couch to 5k ones too.

OP you have inspired me! I'm not sure I can run 10secs without falling down but tomorrow morning when no-one is about I'm going to try
SOH I love your posts

Akiram, we can only try! (and then feel very virtuous)

Good luck!

Oh I didn't do it stopped off at a friend's house on the way home and by the time I got back, it was too dark

Will try again tomorrrow!

Incroyable, never mind. It doesn't stop you doing it tomorrow.

I kind of wish DP was at home so I could do it in the dark and not be self conscious. I've ordered a cap for a disguise though

So does anyone know the name of the app please?

Im going to join too

ive gone from being extremely fit with only 21% body fat to being a woman who sits eating on the sofa every night, since spraining my ankle 5 weeks ago! (tonight i ate 4 crackers with blue cheese, followed by a mince pie)

What is the podcast of which you speak? And which App?

here's the NHS Couch to 5k podcast

and here's the app from the Brooker piece Get Running

the app lets you play your own music and turns it down or pauses it when the woman gives you instructions, "you're going to start running in 10 seconds, this will be your 4th run and you only have four more to do" etc

Fab thanks will check it out

I've just done run 2. Well about 3 hours ago, and I've been unable to move since.

that was REALLY hard! I had to miss out the 6th run (out of 8) due to my lungs coming out of my mouth .

When does it feel better??

Well you should try and leave a day between and then it wouldn't be as hard. Your muscles are still recovering from yesterday. The next one will be easier.

LLW, you sound just like me (only with more motivation!). I'm so unfit, and I'd love to try running. There's plenty of quiet roads I could run round in the dark, but I'm so scared I collapse and die. (Yes, I know I'm being melodramatic!)

How unfit are you exactly? I've not really exercised since I left school 25 years ago.

Thanks Prince, I realised I should've rested, The Woman even told me to, but I won't be able to do it again until next Thursday so I thought I'd do it anyway. I'll know for future!

AP, you won't believe how unfit I am. 4 stone overweight and I haven't knowingly exercised for at least ahem, more years than i can remember .

I'm really loving reading about other MNers who couldn't run to the end of the road etc, but now...! Go on AP, have a go!

I am going to start running again tomorrow. I got into it a couple of years ago then I stopped as it was winter and I put on weight and never went back to it.

Got my ipod tunes sorted now and already have running shoes so will be hitting the tarmac in the morning

I find the most important thing is your breathing. Once you have a good rhythm with that it becomes much easier. I was running a 10k after only 3 months (and I ran without stopping) and I think the way I was breathing helped more than anything.

I blow out twice in quick succession (just little breaths through the mouth) then a deep breath in, hold it for two seconds then blow out twice again. Try different ways of breathing to see what works for you.

I want to try running but like HTTBH have an extended list of reasons not to;

1. I like in the middle of the country, no nice parks to run in, just bog roads populated by nosy villagers, jeering tractor drivers and murderous boy racers trying to plough me down. Running at night would protect from the nosy villagers and most of the tractor drivers but potential for death by boy racer is increased.

2. I can't afford gear (especially if it goes to waste when I fail) and my only pair of track pants is lightweight, baggy and has holes in the arse and my only pair of runners are old and knackered.

3. I take unfitness to levels not previously imagined.... I ran for 30 seconds earlier as I was late to collect dd from school and not only almost hyperventilated but have killed broken hurt my shin. And my ankle that I broke as a child is throbbing. I would die if I attempted 60 seconds.

4. I study full time, work very part time and have 3 children, only 2 of them at school. When the hell would I go running?!

I would appreciate advice on how to surmount all those issues though!

I'm starting tonight! Waiting for DH to get home then going to go while he puts DD to bed.
I am also very overweight and need to do something and quite like the idea of running.

Dug out my trousers, trainers and my iPod armband that's been sat in the drawer for 2 years months.

Nervous but also slightly excited.