Overweight and unfit. Will running for 10 minutes a day help me at all?

[blearynweary]

I'm about a stone and a half overweight and facing 50 this year. I've stupidly entered a 5k in June. I really want to 'be a runner' (I was a good runner when younger). Over the last few years I've had a broken foot twice and a knee operation which used part of my hamstring to reconstruct my ACL. So I suppose its not surprising that I've been too scared to run much. Last week I decided I just needed to START running. I've previously done Couch to 5k but found it quite boring at the beginning and lost interest by week 5 or 6!

So I've been getting up early and going for a run along the lane outside my house (I take the dogs they love it ). Just for 10 minutes, I set the timer on my phone. I don't run fast, I think I probably look like a very old woman, I probably don't even cover 1.5k. I have a vague plan of running for 10 minutes until I feel confident then slowly upping the minutes. This morning I went off a bit quick and really felt it by the end, although I absolutely love speeding up and pushing myself for the last 30 seconds!

I would love any support,advice or encouragement!!

Well done bleary! It's been great reading this thread this morning. You sound as though you're doing really well.

I also run to the Archers

Re the days were legs feel heavy and like lead, yes they do happen. On those days I just tell myself to go a bit slower and that "this run is for my head", as in, this run is to improve my determination and perseverance, rather than being a run that makes me faster.

So you should feel proud of yourself on those days too. And it's all still distance in the legs, which is always a plus no matter what speed.

Also forgot, I'm also one who speeds up for the imaginary finish lines for the last 30-60 seconds

I'm a beginner runner hoping to improve too so will lurk here if nobody minds and definitely have a look at that zombie run app. I comfortably managed 30mins on the treadmill yesterday when only a few weeks ago I struggled to do ten without stopping and am feeling quite surprised (and pleased) at progress.

It still takes me 40+ mins to do a 5k though and looking at my local park run, there are so many completions in 20mins and under. Im still at the stage where that seems impossible!

StrawberryMouse - ignore the times at the pointy end of a parkrun. Look at the results of the second half of the runners, that's where us mortals are :)
Our slowest finishers today were at nearly 55 mins and that's about normal for us. We have runners, run/walkers and walkers and everyone is cheered round. The support from volunteers and other parkrunners will really help you get round.

Well that's good to know feet, I was imagining being left in the dust by everyone else there. Dogs included.

I am not quite brave enough to do a park run. I want to be able to do 5k in under 40 mins before I try.

Thank you AyeAmerok!

Whoops name changed for a delicate matter and didn't change back!

The only people who will leave you in the dust are the kids :o

Have a look at the parkruns near you, some have started 'walking platforms' to encourage people and others have particular days for new runners to encourage nervous people along. parkrun will make EVERYONE welcome :)