Overweight, unfit, mild but well controlled asthma. Is doing couch to 5k now a bad idea?

[Pansypath]

Thought it might be a good way to get some exercise in these difficult times. Is this crazy?

Sounds extremely sensible to me! I was similar when I started - overweight, unfit and asthmatic. I'm still asthmatic, but no longer overweight or unfit! Good luck.

please talk me through it - I don't think I can even run for 20 seconds at the moment. Have ordered trainers and a sports bra online so hopefully they will come before lockdown stops deliveries. Also a phone holder thing and headphones

Anyone

I have done it before - overweight and unfit but not asthmatic. Take it gently - if you are finding a stage hard then maybe stick with that stage a few times over before you move on to the next one.

My advice would be to run incredibly slow at first. Literally like a fast walk/very slow jog. You will eventually build up strength and fitness and your technique will improve, but initially you have to take it very slow.

I did ct5k six years ago - I was overweight and unfit. I now run on average 15k per week and I'm no longer fat and unfit. I did ct5k really slowly, I ran slow and repeated weeks if I needed to build up strength. You need to be strong to avoid injuries.

Good luck, and well done! Running has changed my life

I'm asthmatic and I did it a few years ago. It's fantastic and will change your life.

Take it very slow. You don't need to run as such, just a gentle jog, essentially just a bit more than walking! Do listen to Laura about rest days- take at least one between runs. Also do a very brisk walk for five mins to warm up and cool down, as she says. I've never had an injury and I'm sure this is why!

After my first run I was completely puce, dripping with sweat and felt I was going to die. But I also felt exhilarated and happy- it's worth the pain! It's surprising how quickly you get used to it if you do three runs a week though and soon it's not painful- just exhilarating!

Good luck.

Do it OP and I wish you luck!

Strictly speaking you don't need to buy a load of clobber at this point, or wait for it to arrive. Just get out there! I never used headphones or the app etc. You need some trainers, a good sports or supportive bra, and a watch. Well actually I used a small kitchen timer when I started (yes really, that's all I had).

Look at the website and see what run/walk you are meant to do, jot it on your hand in biro, and get out there!