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 😀

I listen to podcasts and just alternate walking and running

This is exactly my thought!
I had a summer gym membership which I loved but it soon became obvious I couldn't fit it around my life with 2 little ones on my own. I'm thinking that I can up out for a run when they're eating their dinner or before picking up from school! No commute or anything! I really hope this works out for me!

Yes! To chime in with everyone else I’m 45 and couldn’t run for 90 seconds when I started couch to 5km. I love jo Wiley so used her voice . It took me nine months as I had to miss some weeks and repeat loads of them. But I posted regularly on Facebook and logged them on strava and I found it really helpful. I now run 5km two to three times a week in 30 minutes or less and instill
cant believe I can do it! I love it.

I listen to dance music and download radio 2 dance workouts.

Agree with other folks - amazed at my journey as a runner which started in May. I signed up for a coached programme (ladies only) for a modest fee Subsidised by local authority. Ran once a week as a group and then had to do two homework runs which I used the C25K NHS app for. It definitely comes and being very very slow to begin with is good and never run with pain.
I am now working through coached runs on the Nike app.
The weight does come off eventually!

Good luck @Cupofteaonesugar - and enjoy!!

NB, the C25k is a bit of a misnomer. Plenty of people finish it and are not at 5k within the 30 minutes. Don't worry about that.

Couch to 5K.

if it could get me running it can get anyone running.

Haggisfish I could have written your post!!!

I’m so glad someone else is in the same boat. I have always wanted to run, so started couch to 5k last week.
So far, I’m really enjoying it. I asked on my local town Facebook age if anyone wanted to join me, and 2 other ladies now come with me.
My aim is to be able to run 5k without stopping, fingers crossed I’ll stick at it.

No one hates running more than me, but I’ve done C25k twice. If it works for me, it will work for anyone.

I still don’t love running, but it’s a great way of getting your fitness up and the sense of accomplishment is fabulous.

Agree with PPs saying go slowly. Many would-be runners start off too quickly and get discouraged.

I feel the same as you op. I want to do it but not sure if I can.

Does anyone have any recommendations for trainers? I have plantar fasciitis which might mean that I shouldn’t run?

@iloveeverykindofcat - you may be best getting your gait analysed and getting decent trainers to suit
I think everyone can run, but some need to have their "style" tweaked more than others
Plus you may have developed your muscles to work for swimming, to the detriment of running

OP - I started in the first lockdown - had to use my hour away from the kids wisely!
I joined a club last year and that has pushed me to try more types of races
I'm still super slow but I'm now training for a 50k in October!

That’s exactly why I started, the connivence. I did school run in my kit and ran straight after drop off before logging onto work, or on my lunch break or in evening when kid at their activity. Any spare half hour I could squeeze it in.

I’ve always used C25K whenever I’ve had a break from running to help me get back to fitness. The more gradual approach helps prevent injury and burnout with it I find. I’m in the other camp though playlist for me all the way. I find I look forward to my runs to be able to get some me time and listen to my own music that isn’t Disney or nursery rhymes! Podcasts are worth a go for though - loads of people swear by them. Just try to find what motivates and works for you.

I was a non runner and also used C25K. I will never be fast but I just keep plodding along at my own speed. My OH hates it as he doesn’t like being overtaken by other runners so I tell him to wind his ego in!

Get decent running shoes, I like ASICS and I also have a pair of hybrid road/trail shoes for running off road.

we have a lot of hills locally, and it is such a sense of achievement when you finally manage to run all the way to the top without stopping (this may take a while!)

I remember when I started running, looking at all the ‘proper runners’ and then one day I realised I was also now a ‘proper runner’.

Strength training is important to help prevent injuries, so I do Caroline Girvan functional strength training and then run a couple of times a week.

I still really really hate running, but I love the effects and feeling after a run, so I just get on with it.

Know the feeling @Worldgonecrazy There’s that saying isn’t there? ‘I love running, just not while I’m doing it.’ I always feel like this until I get 100% back to fitness and then it’s sometimes mildly tolerable when I’m in the zone and can just completely clear my head. Always feel amazing afterwards though no matter what stage I’m at.

You can do it! I hated running too. Then I randomly did a ‘coach to 5k’ course in my late 30s and it was amazing. The trick is to run very slow with lots of walking breaks at first. You’re training your heart as well as your legs.

It’s so easy with a coach because you don’t have to think, they just tell you ‘walk’ ‘run’ ‘walk’ and they’ve worked out all the best timings to avoid doing too much at first.

But if you don’t have a course near you, you can also download a podcast to do the same thing. Just make sure you’re in a safe area if jogging with headphones obviously.

You can definitely do it. This was me 10 years ago - and now I'm a regular runner, have done 2 half marathons and currently run 10k three times a week -I love it!

I started off when a work colleague was talking about a race she's signed up to - it was a "mini-marathon" - 2.6 miles - and I thought it might be fun to try so I signed up too. I'd never been able to run, even when I was a child when you're meant to love running around so not sure what I was thinking !
The best two bits of advice I was given at the start were -

1. Get a decent pair of running shoes - a running shop will help here

1. Follow a proper training programme

I signed up to a plan very similar to C25k that I found on the Runner's World website, and after a couple of weeks I felt confident enough to start going to a beginner's running group who were doing a similar thing too and all at the same level as me. I did 3 or 4 runs a week then, oy 2 or 3 these days as I run further when I do and weight train on other days.

It's the best thing I ever did for both my physical and mental health. Good luck!

Couch to 5k and start run/walking your local parkrun. It’s for everyone and there is a tail walker so you are never last.

Never too late to become a runner!