Getting back into running - anyone with me?

[SweetestThing]

Watching the London Marathon today prompted me to think seriously about how to get back into running. I used to run several times a week and have run London several times but in recent years, my exercise has been sporadic, with runs of only a few miles and lots of hiatuses.

I've now entered the ballot for next year's London (confidently predicting my eleventy billionth rejection) but have decided I need to have something to aim for before then, so have booked in for a half-marathon in September. So I need to get a training plan in place, sort out my diet and weight (currently carrying about two stone over my running weight) and cross-train.

Anyone fancy joining me in a virtual support and training plan?

Ooh I was planning to listen to podcasts too while using the C25K app so I really hope it still works!

Brooke’s adrenaline wearer after many years of Saucony. Brooke’s cascades for trails.

Been stready round parkrun in 33min but that is all I have been doing. Need to add an extra couple of runs a week, going to sign up to an autumn HM

Can I join? I’m doing a 10K in August, after letting my fitness slide after running a 10 two years ago.

That’s a bad habit of mine - set a goal, achieve it, then stop.

So I’ve signed up for the London Marathon too, to keep a long term goal ahead.

I started C25K again and I’m currently on Week 8. Enjoying it so far!

Hi, everyone is doing really well, I feel much better for not drinking and I’ve been at the gym religiously trying very hard to make it a habit. First run with the club was great I joined at week 4 run 4 it was ok really as I think my gym visits have built up my stamina.
Going out to a Gin Festival tomorrow night so will be having a few drinks but I’ve booked a shred for 10am Saturday to keep me on track, then a run on Sunday.

Just rowed 5k - like we sitting down running. Am working towards. Have eaten like raccoon this week but have ditched caffeine and booze so when that calms will mend my diet too. Hoping for s stone off in two months.

Morning, all and welcome to our new plodders! We're all on a mission, I think!

Apologies for radio silence yesterday - busy day at work and then straight to polling station to do a 3 hour stint asking people for their polling card numbers on the way out. Pleased to report that the candidate for our residents' group was elected, unseating the Council Leader - yay!! So, no running yesterday but I did nearly 12k steps and stuck to my low/no carb diet. Today I have been a whirling domestic dervish since 6.30, spring cleaning and sorting out my wardrobe. That's taken me to 1.5 miles already, just wandering around the house!

Plans for the weekend, anybody? We're off to see a friend in an amdram production tonight then I plan a run tomorrow and Sunday, possibly a long walk on either Sunday or Monday and to continue with my healthy eating attempt.

Keep plodding on, plodpals! I got some new leggings yesterday and will give them an outing this weekend - always good to have new gear. I think it makes me want to run better (not that this is necessarily translated into better running!!)

First run of C25K is this morning - as soon as I’ve shifted the baby off my lap where he’s fallen asleep! Feeling really nervous but looking forward to having half an hour to myself, even if that is puffing and sweating round the river!

Parkrun day...go on, give it a go if you have not already

Hi again, sounds like everybody is doing really well. I am planning to go out tonight as have a day of ferrying kids to clubs etc. Also my DH runs on a Saturday morning with a group of runners. Rather annoyingly, he runs well and fast - I am definitely a plodder. In fact, when I read about the marathon runners being treated badly as they were considered too slow, I felt really sad. They were there and having a go, all the water stations etc. should still be there if the organisers arrange for pacers at that speed. If they want to ensure a clear-up time then they would need to limit times like other races do but that would go against the spirit of the London Marathon I think. I did a couple of very slow marathons a few years ago and know what it is like at the back. I have put in for the London Ballot too!
Have a good weekend everybody.

Ive completed week 2 of c25k today and have done all 3 bootcamp sessions ( first week back after my op and 4 mo ths off) so my runs were done with serious DOMS as well.
Proud of myself tho as it was a tough week at work so i made myself get up at 05:30 for the runs as knew i wouldnt go after work!
A bit late but to whoever over pronates i also wear Brooks adrenaline and am on my 3rd consecutive pair.love them. I always get my gait regularly checked as it can change with weight gain/loss and injuries.
It sounds like we all have a plan to get fitter and be back running soon.
I have just treated myself to an inspirational book called "running for my life" to be my holiday reading as we go away next Friday so im looking forward to reading that.

@standingonlego I did parkrun this morning. Third week on the bounce since getting back into it again. Completed C25K Wk3 Session 1 while I was there. Very demoralising watching everyone pass me while I walked the first 5 mins but knocked 00:02:25 off last week's time and finished in 39:28 which I'm made up with. No parkrun next week as me and DH alternate taking DD to her dance classes and it's my turn next week but will keep ploughing through the C25K plan

Joining in too - I’m on week 2 of the couch to 5k (repeating it as had a break due to travel/bereavement). Finding it really hard to get back into it. Doesn’t help that I’m in the Middle East and the weather is getting seriously hot. But hoping this thread will help keep us all motivated!

Good on you thismeansnothing that is a huge amount of time to take off your PB, brilliant work!!!!

Top tip, if you are a bit slower start towards the back so the speedy ones zoom off so you do not get that feeling of being overtaken. My home parkrun is huge (nearly 600 today) and it sort of self organises that way. Also mean I start next to similar folk each week and have a natter before the start

And meant to say...getting Sub 40 is a big milestone !!!!! Celebrate

Hello all. Can I join? I'm on week 7 of couch to 5k and did my first park run today. Didn't bother with a barcode and finished at about 41 mins, was a bit disappointed as I wanted under 40, but I have form for putting too much pressure on myself so I'm not going to get too down about it. I was a really good runner...about 25 years ago

Anyway, I'm 53 and have suffered terribly with aches and pains and menopause for 5 years, finally taking HRT and can now run again! I'm hugely motivated to improve my 5k time. I'll keep going with couch to 5k although dh says I should ditch it and just concentrate on running 5ks.

@standingonlego. I did start at the back. The tail walker was just behind me but it was quite a wide path it started on and I think even those that are planning on walking get a surge of adrenaline and sprint off🤣 plus it was a 3 n a bit lapper so wasn't lomg till I was being lapped either. PB for the year but still some way to get to 30mins which is where I finished off at last year. But I'll get there eventually

@fazackerley good for you getting back into it again 👍 but no barcode?! Get it printed off, get u closer to that 50/100/250/500 top!

thismeansnothing I know! I will for next week.

Can I join, pretty please?

I’ve never been a particularly regimented runner so I’m not sure I’ll be following a specific programme like most of you, but I’m desperate to get out there for at least a few decent runs a week, and I’d love to be able to enter some events eventually too.

I used to run/exercise a lot at uni (4+ years ago) but have had three children since then and haven’t managed to keep it up. #3 is now 10 weeks old and I’m struggling to get into my old clothes, plus I’m desperate for some “me” time, so really want to get back into it.

I’m a bit embarrassed to start because of my total lack of fitness but just need to bite the bullet and go. First run this evening, if I can get the baby off me!

Good luck everyone

@claxitine you can do it! Do you have a partner who can hold the baby so you can go out and run? Or failing that stick them in a buggy and buggy run? It is tough finding the time to squeeze it in though. My babies 11wks and if I didn't have DH I wouldn't be out there as much as I've managed.

Just realised some of you ladies have very young babies - hats off to you, i'm very impressed you can even think about running!

@nothingoriginalhere if I hadn't started running (or some form of exercise) I'd have been carted off to the funny farm weeks ago. For once it isn't about weight loss (at the moment) but more for my own mental health :)

First run done! Haha

I don’t know how far or how long (not long), but I got out so feeling great. Seeing the success so many of you have had with it, I might give the C25K a go after all. Feeling motivated!

I'm in. Start day next Tuesday - that'll be 6 weeks post (minor) surgery that advised 6 weeks rest!! I did a Parkrun in 32/33 minutes in March. I'd like to do 10k in

Evening everyone, great work going on here! Run day for me tomorrow morning I think...My legs are moaning at me though after running 5k on Wednesday, then a circuits class on Thursday and an 11k walk on Friday 😂. Have taken it a bit easier today!

I met an inspirational man yesterday, having read his book earlier in the year. His name is Ben Smith and he ran 401 marathons in 401 days, having only taken up running at 30, about 2 years before starting his challenge. He was super nice, I felt like I was catching up with an old friend. His next challenge is to run a marathon in every US state , and cycle between each state to cover all 50 in 104 days! Definitely work a read of his book, or catching one of his talks. Oh, and he raised £330k for charity, and is aiming to raise £1m on his next challenge 😲.