Can an unfit, overweight, soon to be 35yo learn to run?

[BrightYellowStripes]

So, prompted by my half life crisis thread, I've decided I'd like to challenge myself and see if I can learn to run a 5k.

I'm asthmatic, a few stones overwight, uncoordinated and was always last to be picked at school

Is it possible to emerge in six months as a lithe, toned, fit and energetic runner? Or should I think again

Op, it went really well. Dh is going to sign up too.

Well done!

I'm going to measure myself tomorrow morning 🙈 And then do run 2 tomorrow evening

I went from 3 stone overweight and slow Parkrun to 10 miles in a year. Still have a stone to lose but doing a half marathon in October.

Top tips.

1. Definitely do Parkrun. Try different ones if you can as they are all different.

2. Aftershokz headphones are great for running outside.

3. Get a Fitbit or Garmin. Loads of walking is great and will build up fitness while running is hard.

4. Focus on eating well rather than cutting calories. As you start to run more you realise food is fuel. This was a big revelation to me and has changed the way I eat.

5. Set some goals. Maybe a local 5K? Don't aim for anything too scary to start with. Move onto a new goal when you hit each one.

6. Join 'Run Mummy Run' on Facebook. Lovely ladies and incredibly supportive on all things running.

Have a goal in mind.. not a number per se, but for example the one thing that kept me going (at first) was thinking of my French holidays (which I'm finally going to in a couple of days). I kept daydreaming of my "bikini body" and that always put my ass to gear. Eventually I fell in love with running, but having something more abstract in mind does help :)

• If you can get a Garmin rather than a fitbit, I've had both and the fitbit is inaccurate by at least 20%.
• Counting calories worked for me, but more than that, I was always thinking of the calories deficit. I really never plateaued nor increased my weight.
• Get a smart scale that can measure body fat - that will tell you if you're building muscle or not.

-Always be impressed by what your body an do. Once I was chatting to a friend who's also into fitness and we both agreed that looking at the small changes either in performance or looks on a daily basis were massive encouragement.

I'm asthmatic, overweight and uncoordinated. I dabbled with running for a bit but I'm now in my 40s and running parkrun (5k) regularly. If you follow a couch to 5k programme it's quite doable.

Overweight non-exerciser here. You've all got me interested in having a try.
My biggest issue is that I'm clueless about equipment. What's best to Wear? Is it important to have decent trainers? If so,where to get them from?
I have a Fitbit and an iPhone. Guess I can use the c25k app on phone with one headphone? Not sure if any running clothes have pockets though, so is there any way to avoid carrying phone (and water bottle) in hand?
Sorry for all the daft questions.

I agree with pp who said focus on what you are motivated to do. I am loving running and being active. I drink too much wine and eat too many carbs, so I'm not seeing much weighloss, plus I hang onto lbs while breastfeeding so there's that too - but I guess I'm setting up good habits and I'll get round to the food/drink bit when my kids are sleeping a bit more...please sleep more....!

• Running shoes are a must - if you think of doing this even semi seriously get your gait analyzed. There are usually local running shops that do this for you. (in Scotland I highly recommend run4it)

• Get a running belt, they look silly but you can put your phone and keys in there.

• I dont take any sort of drink with me (and I run HMs) but this is a matter of personal need/preference

You're 34! That's young! Go out there and learn to love it!

Buy some nice new kit to run in and maybe a copy of a running mag to inspire you - they all help! And follow some runners on Insta - v handy for inspiration if you can't be bothered to go when you know you should.

summergarden you don't need a water bottle. I've run quite long distances without one (and IMO they mark you out as a beginner too!)

I just take house keys and my phone (not always) and that's it. And I have a drink when I get back.

I do have some lightweight running sunglasses which are great as I run near the river and there can be annoying little flies that get in your eyes.

But you don't need loads of specialist stuff beyond a really good bra and proper running shoes.

It will change your life!

Get your shoes from a proper running shop - most towns have one so google running shop and your local town.

Get an armband for your phone or put it in a pocket - most running stuff has them. And put your keys into the zipped back or hidden pocket of your leggings/capris.

My best running bras are from Sweaty Betty (expensive but good) and Nike (ditto).

I have never done a c25k app but do you need to listen to it while you run? Headphones annoy me so I don't listen to anything.

And while I run, if I'm not in the mood, I repeat to myself 'I really regret going for that run, said no one, ever'.

Really helps!

How much do you need to spend on trainers?

I only have ancient ones, and did feel the outside edge of my foot feeling a bit sore yesterday while I was running. But, we are SO skint right now!!

I would say around £50... but you could get your gait analyzed and buy them off TKMaxx, then theyd cost around £30 but you would still get some awesome shoes :)

i got a sweaty betty bra half price in their seasonal sale, running kit from primark or tk maxx. Running armband from sweatshop in their sale as I use a c25k app which shouts at you to run and stop, and I can hear it from the armband (I don't use headphones).

I have seen trainers in t k maxx, not in my size but they had Brooks ones the other day. I got my gait analysed in a local running shop and bought trainers from them, but they are quite ancient now and need replacing.

I had a bit of a nightmare sorting out something to hold my phone. An armband irritated my skin badly then the magnetic pouch I bought wouuldn't stay on. In the end I made a fake flipbelt out of half a pair of leggings I had and it works brilliantly and is pretty hidden under t shirt. It holds phone, key and tissues and is pretty easy to get phone in and out on the move. My headphones have a little clip so that goes on tshirt one ear thing in ear and other tucked under bra strap. That way I can hear people behind me and hear when to walk or run.

Decathlon is good for running bits and I noticed Tesco had a few bits in their sake the other day. There are free apps eg. strava and mapmyrun that will map what you've done and give you times which are good as you get further into it.

I offered to cheerlead a friend (your age) through C25K at the start of this year. She was very inactive before. I ran with her on almost every run and took charge of timing the walk breaks, choosing routes etc. She can now comfortably run 5K and I'm pretty sure she'll soon be able to do it faster than me - we're starting to add distance and do bits of speedwork now. She has lost weight and has gained the confidence to start doing some other sports as well.

Have a look for local running groups, there are some near me that do 'courses'/sessions aimed at people wanting to start running. That way you've got group support and they'll be paced appropriately.

I'm overweight and unfit! I started C25k on the 1st May and struggled with the first runs. Now I can run 5k in under 32 minutes. I'm doing my first 10k on Sunday and I'm training to do a half marathon at the end of September. It really is possible!

I would invest in a good sports bra and pair of trainers. There are some very supportive groups too, if you need a bit of encouragement. Best one I've found is Run Mummy Run on Facebook

Good luck!

I love the group "did you run today" on Facebook!

If anyone is looking for running/exercise inspiration I recommend the 'tough girl' podcast - really inspiring!

How are you doing op? I'm a tiny bit older than you and am definitely overweight. I started doing the couch to 10K then fell off the wagon. I still attempted the 5k that I'd signed up for though and managed to complete it in under 40 minutes but was annoyed at myself for not sticking to my training as I had to walk some. Im now back on the programme and have just completed wk 2. The only thing is that it's a 12 wk programme and my 10K that I signed up for at the beginning of the year is in 10 weeks. Im not going to give up this time though. Im just going to have to do more than the three runs a week to make up the time. Im really motivated at the moment and this thread has really helped with that- thank you for starting it. I look forward to keeping on reading about your progress and to reading the awesome tips posted!
You can do it OP!

Well, I am due to do Day 2 after work...

See, that sounds quite defeatist doesn't it? I should write "I am going to do Day 2 after work!" Hmm, that's interesting... I wonder why I phrased it that way!

Anyway, I'm sitting here like a big blob after we had a team lunch. I stuffed myself with junk I'm now thinking about the logistics of going cold turkey with sugar

Did you go out op?

I have made an effort to try and cut down on sugar, I've made easy swaps, cereal to Greek yoghurt, biscuits at work to oatcakes with peanut butter etc. I'm no excluding it because I know that leads me to break down and binge!

It's true though, if I eat junk it leads me to eat more junk, if I eat good filling foods I don't break out the biscuits!

I have read an interesting book called Big Girls Do it Running, she does a kind of food combining plan. I don't follow it but I enjoyed the read!

I did the first couch to 5k run last night but I had to stop half way through because of a banging headache! (I had it before I left though) managed 4 minutes running. I haven't done any exercise really since I was bedridden for 5 years ..apart from running around after a toddler since. I can't wait to run 5k!

Well done blahblah.

"Run when you can, walk if you must, just keep moving"