I want to be a runner!

[Cupofteaonesugar]

I really do! I've always admired people who go for a fun, wishing I could be the same. But the truth is that I hate running. Despite (in the last) having great fitness levels I struggle so much to run far without getting bored/getting a stitch and then start dreading my runs and ultimately stop. But wouldn't it be great to just go for a run which is free exercise and create for fitness!
So how do I get into it? Click to 5k a good start?
I think maybe I try to hard to begin with and need to ease my way in?
Any tips?
Can an absolute non runner do this?!
My goal would be to be able to run for 45 mins 😀

Yes!! Absolutely you can! I would actually say my number one tip isn’t any sort of running tip.. it’s just to get into a podcast you like. I’m training for a marathon so I’m at a level of fitness now where I can just run and run but it’s the mental side of it that is really tough. If I let my brain it will just start shouting WALK!!! at any given opportunity. If I can get lost in a podcast or audiobook I feel like it shuts my brain up 😂 run pod by jenni Falconer is good!

Second thing would be don’t go rushing off. Go out with the intention of running reallly slowly. Even when marathon training it would surprise you how slow you have to run to actually get faster in the long run. So go slow and walk. There’s a method called Jeffing (there’s a book and Facebook groups etc about it), it’s walk run for X amount of time each.

third thing would be once you get going a bit and can do a reasonable distance, find your local parkrun. Go down there and just go for it, that’s the one time you should go as fast as you can go. The first time you’ll think what am I doing? But just wait until you get the text through with your time. It feels like such an achievement and you will 100% end up going again to try to beat the week before’s time! It’s not about beating anyone else either, just yourself and eventually getting your best time ever! It’s honestly one of the most addictive things I’ve ever done!

100% do it! So worthwhile

0-5k is a great way to start. And never be afraid to repeat a few runs when the gap of walking to having to run more happens.

I download loads of pidcasts/make play lists as I get bored easy.

Maybe volunteer at a Park Run event for motivation? Or go and watch a fell run (they are hardcore).

I find planning my runs helps me actually get out the door.

I am just getting back into running and the key for me is to run really really slowly. Like as slowly as you can possibly run to start off with. Then if you can keep it up speed up a bit towards the end. Otherwise it's just run, out of breath, stop, walk, die, run too fast again rinse repeat.

Yes - Couch to 5K. Just follow it. It works. I started it in mid-March 20 (not sure of the to follow!) and was running 150k per month by July. It's life affirming and relaxing and energising. Definitely do it.

Yes to Couch to 5k and listen and follow and take those rest days in between.
Also find a runner who's willing to come running with you but knows when to push and when to let you rest.

I was 6months from being unable to run 1km and then ran a half marathon in sub 2 hours.
It was bloody hard work though. Now I stick to 5ks and enjoy the zone out time.

I’m 49 and an ex smoker, bit chubby at the mo (BMI 25.5) and completed C25K this month! I created a playlist called Run Like the Wind and ran to the same one every time which sounds boring but I always knew X song was Y time in. I shared every run on instagram Stories (before/pic of something on the run/sweaty after photo) which really helped keep me motivated, and I had loads of support on there too.

I was stupid and pushed through when I should have rested - the programme recommends three runs a week with days in between - and developed plantar fasciitis but am hoping to do a gentle run on Wednesday which is a month after my last 5K.

Couch to 5k is a great starting point. I started there - couldn't even run for a minute before that - and I run marathons now.
I didn't really believe this before I started, but most runners you see out and about have started from zero. Very few people in my running club started as kids and kept it up.
The absolute hardest bit is getting through the first few weeks - after that it becomes far easier. And the mental strength to keep going is the most important thing. I've run c25k groups and have always found that those who succeed are the ones who are prepared to slow down, push on, and not make excuses even when it gets hard... while people who at first glance appear fitter will give up if their head isn't in it (eg "it's raining", "I'm tired", "work has been hard today"... etc).

Joining your local parkrun is a great way to run as running with other people helps keep you going, and it feels social even if you don't actually speak to anyone. You can build up your mental resilience just as much as your physical so don't give up. Listening to podcasts or music helps. Start with couch - 5k. Get a running app like Strava so you can see your progress. It really is a great way to keep fit and mentally strong. Training for a marathon has been the best thing I've ever done for building mental resilience. Good luck and I hope you catch the bug 😊

Ahhh I'm absolutely loving these replies!!!
I really want to do it but I'm just doubting myself as I've never stuck to it in the past but hoping the couch to 5k running plan might spur me along?
I've bought a running jacket which has made me excited 🙈

A lot are saying podcasts to run to?
Are these better then a playlist?

Podcasts do it for me, but I don’t listen to music at all - i think if you’re in to music then that might do it for you. I like podcasts because there is something to actually listen to which really takes my mind off running. That + C25K + constantly reminding myself how I feel when I’m running vs when I’m not.

I do tend to say my runs take 3 hours though - 2 hours procrastinating, half hour run, half hour cool down and smug self-congratulation.

My podcasts are built round The archers Omnibus and Gardeners Question Time, so I’ll leave you to build your own playlist :-)

As mentioned already couch to 5km is a great start as is your local park run which is always supportive of new runners.

When starting a new running regime from a position of low fitness the first month is always the hardest. You will not see immediate gains, each run is extremely hard work with possible early fatigue, stich, shin splints, no weight loss and generally wondering what the point of it all is. However, there will be a day when you complete a run where you did not obsess over 'how much further', your feet don't hurt and you are not breathing out your arse. Just bare in mind there will be an initial 4 or so week lag before you start to see and feel results.

Do get down to your local running shop, get your gait checked and fork out for a decent pair of running shoes.

I'm 55, started running a few years ago. I am very slow but can now run for up to an hour. My tip is - go slow! If it starts to feel tough, go even slower. Just build distance at first and gradually you will speed up if you stick at it and if you want to. I've had no running injuries this way (I do strength train as well, which helps).

I didn't do c25k but lots of friends rate it. Whatever method you choose, go slowly, build up gradually, relax and enjoy the scenery, your podcast (or I listen to audiobooks)....I also find fast walking, in trainers and gym kit, up hills, and quickly enough to make me sweaty and bit out of breath is a great way to build fitness in a lower-impact way or on non-run days.

Go crazy slow to begin with.

Honestly, I started running for 15 seconds, then walking for 2 mins. I did that about 10 times a session and did 3 sessions a week.

The next week I did 30 seconds.

The next week I cut down the walking time to 1.5 mins.

It took weeks and weeks to build up to a mile BUT

a) it never hurt
b) I was never put off continuing by discomfort
c) I was never injured
d) by the time I got to the magic mile, I could run it easily and really enjoy it

And never focus on speed. If you are out of breath, run slower. It's ok to run as slow as you walk

Speed can come later.

Do it! I’m 47, overweight by about 3-4 stone. I started the couch to 5 k at the beginning of my summer holidays, yesterday I ran week 7 day 2 which was 25 minutes continuously and I bloody well did it!!!

Follow the programme it really works. Some times you may think I can’t do that but it’s mind over matter and you can. I ‘run’ very slowly but I don’t care, 5k is 5k whether you do it in 16 minutes or 45 minutes.

I listen to a playlist I’ve created of cheesy but fun music but some people enjoy a podcast? It’s a personal choice.

When you feel a bit happier then maybe do a Parkrun? They’re a friendly bunch, I did one about 10 days ago, I stuck to my c25k plan and then added in another section. It took me 42 minutes but i finished

Go for it!!

Also, about what being slow means - I run slower than nearly everyone I see out there, but I am a middle aged woman. When I check my pace, I am just under average for a woman my age. So I could actually go slower 😀. So a) pace doesn't matter at the start (and possibly never, depending what your goals are and what else you do) and b) your perception of how slow you are may be distorted by comparing yourself with men and youth, without realising.

C25k is a brilliant place to start.

A hill that I will die on however is that running shop gait analysis is a waste of time. Proper gait analysis done by a physio at vast expense if you’re injury prone yes, someone with no qualifications watching you on a treadmill for 10 strides, no, get a decent pair of well cushioned shoes and you’ll likely be fine.

Huge yes to parkrun also, while you are building up definitely look into volunteering!

When I started, dog walkers were overtaking me. I didn't care. I never focus on speed. Just distance. I recommend a great audio book that you only allow yourself to listen to while you run. That way if you want to know what happens next you have to go for a run!

If it's your thing - Zombies! Run! is a great app that tells a zombie story and includes you as one of their runners for suppleis and stuff. You listen along and run when told to, speeding up when under attack from zombies.

When I got some basic fitness, I enjoyed running alone in the woods, pretending I was fleeing zombies

I did two sensible sessions a week then my Friday Fun session was unstrcutured and used this app.

I'm sooooo going to do this

You need to slow down. All beginners go too fast, even/especially those who are already fit.

I did it 4years ago as overweight mid-40s, I followed the C25K app, took 8weeks to run 5k but was around 36-37min mark. Took 6months to get down to 32min mark, then a year to run 10k, and 18mths ran half marathon. kept it up for four years. Started trail running too really enjoyed that. Accepted I’m Not fast but I can run longer distances. Simple strength training 1-2x a week can help avoid injuries, squats, lunges Plank etc.
Listening to music and RunPod podcast is good. Or just nothing but your thoughts.

I’m back on it started this morning on Wk4, after injury forced me to stop in January, but I’ve gained weight and fed up so I’m starting again now weather hopefully cooler with a Oct parkrun as my goal. Seriously consider volunteering at parkrun it’s lovely seeing all the different shapes and speeds taking part it’s really inclusive and friendly.

Wow such amazing inspirational stories!!!

How many runs should I aim for each week?
3?

Can you actually have the wrong body for running? I'm a trained swimmer. I used to compete at county level when I was younger and I still swim properly 3x weekly. But I'm horrible at running. I have almost no arches in my feet which seems to come in handy in the water (duck's feet, as my brother kindly put it) so maybe that's why.

The couch to 5k on the nhs app is 3 x runs a week 6-8wks your be running 5k, plus I’d do a yoga session and a basic strength workout just a session like 20mins of lunges/ squats / push up etc to compliment and avoid injuries. The beauty of running you only need half hour to nip out in your trainers and it’s done.