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Original poster

Aaaargh need help re running

18 replies

frumpet · 07/04/2015 14:51

Have rather stupidly signed myself up for the GNR in September . I am a non runner , am going to start C25K tonight , please tell me I can do this .......

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MehsMum · 07/04/2015 16:52

If it's any comfort, I started C25K at 47, completed it without any problems and have run regularly since. Mind you, I have never done more than 4m in one go, but I have the excuse of back problems which flare up if I over do it.

If you are generally in decent shape and have the time to commit to getting fit, you should be able to do it.

emummy · 07/04/2015 17:07

Of course you can do it! Don't run too fast, when your mileage goes up a bit get good trainers and enjoy getting fitter and stronger. I remember when I started that the first 10 minutes always felt awful so don't worry if that happens to you! September is ages away, you've got plenty of time. Good luck!

Original poster

frumpet · 07/04/2015 19:14

MehsMum very much not in decent shape , big smoker and drinker and rather overweight , might need to bin the fags and wine , for which my liver and lungs will be very grateful for

Thought I would do running to 5k then increase to 10k and then go up to 10 miles . It is actually the great big kick up the lardy arse that I need , can't back out as doing it for a charity

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Original poster

frumpet · 07/04/2015 19:15

emummy love the idea of running too fast !

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Flingingmelon · 07/04/2015 19:34

You can do this! I just started C25k last week. The first run early killed me but every one since has been slightly easier

EdithDickie · 07/04/2015 19:48

You can do it frumpet!!!

There are various "couch to half marathon" plans online, get one, stick to it, keep the faith and you will do it!

If it's any consolation I started C25K last May and thought running for a minute would kill me! Now doing a hm in 12 days and the distance doesn't really faze me. I know I can do it. And if I can then ANYONE can!!!

Good luck!

MelanieCheeks · 07/04/2015 19:50

C25k is exactly the start you need-well begun, on your great run, I'll not say hun...

karatekimmi · 07/04/2015 19:57

I know it sounds funny, but running too fast is where most people go wrong - you need to maintain the speed for the 5k, not die at the end of the street!!

You can definitely do this, your 5k, 10k 10 mile plan sounds good.

Is there a parkrun near you? lots of support there at a lovely friendly event.

Feel free to wander over to the running thread for lots of friendly running chat don't be put off by the distance or times, we all started somewhere, definitely a few of us overweight on a c25k plan!!

BikeRunSki · 07/04/2015 20:01

c25k is a great start and of course you can do it!!! First off though, get properly fitted for a sports bra and running shoes. At proper specialist lingerie and running shops - everything else can be cheap and cheerful from Sports Direct - but shoes and bra need to fit and perform and be comfortable. Decent shoes and bra could be the difference between you getting into the training and giving up.

Good luck.

SaltySeaBird · 07/04/2015 20:02

I've done C25K twice - several years ago and then again post pregnancy. Both times starting it I was unfit and carrying a spare stone or two.

Both times, sticking to the programme, I was able to get to running 5km within 8 weeks and to 10km in 10 weeks.

10km tends to be my favourite distance but about a month ago I thought I'd try 20km to see if I could and I managed it fine.

You'll do it no problem! You just have to stick with it.

Watto1 · 07/04/2015 20:03

I did a half marathon recently, starting from being a total non-runner and aged 43. I also started with C25K, which is fabulous! I finished at the back with the octogenarians and people on crutches but I did it!

SaltySeaBird · 07/04/2015 20:04

Oh and sometimes it will feel hard - I barely made it round ParkRun last week - don't get disheartened by a bad run because everyone gets days like that!

BikeRunSki · 07/04/2015 20:04

The c25k, 10k, 10 mile plan sounds very achievable. I did my first half marathon last year - started training at 5k, then just added 1k or so a fortnight. It helped me to think of 10 miles at 15 k (ish) and a half marathon as 21k (ish).

Original poster

frumpet · 07/04/2015 20:55

Got the good bra and shoes Bikerunski

It says on the C25K site that you should have rest days , would it matter if I went to the gym and did other exercise or does it mean completely rest ? thinking of going on the bike /crosstrainer ?

OP posts:

Original poster

frumpet · 07/04/2015 20:56

Watto1 quite happy to finish at the back as long as I finish

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Saz12 · 08/04/2015 21:12

frumpet - it's fine to do cross-training, cycling, swimming or whatever on the rest days - these are meant as "non-running" days. If you can get stronger all over it will really help your running.
I really wish I was more conscientious about doings something on the in-between days, as am sure it would help me. I've just finished r2 of wk 8, running every second day.
I'm planning a half marathon in August...

ImBrian · 09/04/2015 07:36

See if any of your local running clubs have a beginners group or rope a friend into training with you. Having someone to run with can really help keep you going.

I think the GNR will be doable, I've gone from 0 to 10k in 12 weeks and it seems to get easier to increase the distance now then it was at the beginning.

Good luck with your training and the GNR.

mommybunny · 10/04/2015 22:35

If you have a smartphone you run with you might want to get an app that gives you a whole training plan for the race you want to run. After graduating from C25K last year I decided in February that I wanted to do a half marathon that will take place in September. I found an app (I used myasics, but there are others) and entered my age, the date of my race, how much I had been running till then and how many days a week I could commit to running on an ongoing basis. It came up with a training plan for me that I have been following ever since. I log the actual runs on mapmyrun and manually enter them into my asics training plan. If the times they prescribe for you are greater or less than you log for your runs, they will eventually tell you to adjust your pace up or down. They also predict your time for the actual race - having adjusted my pace I've gone from a predicted 2:22 to 1:59!

C25K is of course a fabulous start - maybe start a "real" training plan once you finish that. I think most training plans can contemplate training you to "finish" a half marathon in 12-15 weeks (which is about what you'd have after finishing C25K, assuming you go all the way through in the time the C25K programme prescribes). Go for it - what an amazing sense of accomplishment you will feel! Good luck!

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