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Original poster

Running tips

99 replies

Whydidieatallthechocolates · 31/12/2024 01:28

New Year New Start.

Desperately want to get in to running but unsure how to even begin. There is clubs nearby but evenings don't suit me. It would have to be done in the 1.5 hour gap I have between finishing work and collecting kids.
I would love to eventually be able to run 5k.

How did you begin?

OP posts:
Original poster
Whydidieatallthechocolates · 01/01/2025 22:44

I don't think I will manage much to being. Smoking has left me breathless which isn't good for someone in their mid thirties

OP posts:
Original poster
Whydidieatallthechocolates · 01/01/2025 23:13

Does the Nike app have a couch to 5k feature? Can't seem to find it

OP posts:
xsquared · 01/01/2025 23:33

Whydidieatallthechocolates · 01/01/2025 23:13

Does the Nike app have a couch to 5k feature? Can't seem to find it

There is an 8 week 5k plan there, but I think that is more for preparing for a race rather than an absolute beginner's C25K.

Try the NHS app where you can choose the narrator. When I did it with dd, we chose Denise Lewis.

CrashThere · 02/01/2025 07:17

Even after years running races, I often have to tell myself that I'll just do 5 minutes because I'm tired/achy/busy but once you've started, you always find energy to keep going.
Mine is I only have to go to the corner and if I don't feel like going further I can turn back. I've not turned back yet.

VoyagerOfTheTeenYears · 02/01/2025 07:29

I can recommend Vassos Alexander’s book: Don’t stop me now for some starting running stories and motivation. And - if podcasts are your thing, With Me Now - for some parkrun motivation.

Scarydinosaurs · 02/01/2025 07:35

Good luck today!

I used my phone to time my runs and only got a watch once I ran 5k in a certain time as a reward to myself.

I was once a smoker and the running will help you give up as the impact on your breathing is huge!! Hopefully it will help motivate you.

Enjoy it! There is a lovely freeing feeling when you run. Can’t beat it.

Elektra1 · 02/01/2025 08:08

The Runna app is excellent

DCINightingale · 02/01/2025 08:25

Good luck getting started @Whydidieatallthechocolates

I did c25k April 2023 and now training for my first marathon. Keep that determination you clearly have, you just need to get out of the door and put one front in front of the other. Fast or slow doesn't matter, it's doing it in the first place that counts.

I find the Slow AF UK group on Facebook good company, they have a strava group too.

ChristmasLightsLover · 02/01/2025 13:10

@Whydidieatallthechocolates I am currently pacing at 20 minutes per mile. I cannot seem to get to 15 minutes. It does my head in. I'm going to start couch to five K tonight. Want to join me?

I'm on the app and can't seem how to DM you!

Original poster
Whydidieatallthechocolates · 02/01/2025 13:39

@ChristmasLightsLover I will pm you

OP posts:
Chocolateteabag · 03/01/2025 09:15

@Whydidieatallthechocolates - just on the smoking point - my little brother was a smoker through his 20's, got into running 29/30 which forced him to stop smoking (swapped the addiction over to running?)

He now runs Ultras and marathons

Assuming you want to stop, running should help? And your lungs should recover over time

It's definitely a good reason to give them up

As you will need the money for your running kitWink

Bartoz · 03/01/2025 09:27

Some points to consider

  1. If you don't have a good base fitness level, follow an app / training program that suits you.
  2. Running groups / clubs sound like good ideas but don't work for many people. Running is a solitary activity, unless you're a very social person you may be better off running alone (or with a good friend) until you've reached a good fitness level.
  3. Don't worry about pace. Focus on distance working up to a goal distance over time.
  4. Invest in good running shoes and warm clothes for winter (running in summer heat is worse unless very used to it).
  5. Treat it as a pastime, you will learn to enjoy it as time moves on.
CrashThere · 03/01/2025 10:37

Invest in a running jacket to keep the rain out, and don't wear cotton exercise bottoms as they absorb water.

(I just used an old kagoule to start with but it was minging, running jacket has better vents)

Gloves and a hat help with keeping warm.

Clearinguptheclutter · 03/01/2025 10:50

Whydidieatallthechocolates · 01/01/2025 17:01

Starting tomorrow. Currently deciding on an app best to use. Will go get trainers in morning. Have a good outlet shopping complex nearby. Will I need some sort of watch to track times?

Not immediately no, take your phone.
I ran half marathons before smartwatches, but I do recommend looking into one once you’ve got going properly

also I find keeping fit via running helps me enormously with my diet. I just don’t want to eat crap very often anymore. Hopefully in a
similar way it will help you stop smoking.

Londonmummy66 · 03/01/2025 11:52

Underarmour have a free running tracker/route planner called map my run - you can use it to log your runs, it shows you routes other people have mapped in your area etc. If I'm going on a night run I leave the page open with my planned route on it so DH can see how far I'm going/how long I'm likely to be etc just in case. I can't see how to link it without taking you to y personal page but if you google it you'll find it.

newtlover · 04/01/2025 19:15

re
just get out of the door-
actually don't- do a warm up and some stretches first, then when you get back do warm down stretches
I never used to bother and was always getting random pains, especially my knees
the NHS couch to 5k app has videos for these (unfortunately the music is awful)
and I always do them, no more bad knees

WellyBellyBoo · 06/01/2025 16:53

How are you getting on OP? Loads of good advice here. I really like Jo Whitey on the NHS C25k app. One other bit of advice when you start the running sections - if you're going faster than a shuffle, you're probably going too fast. I made that mistake and got disheartened that I couldn't do more than 10-20 paces. Once I slowed right down it all started to click, especially when running 10 or 20 minutes no stop later in the programme.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 08/01/2025 10:42

Bartoz · 03/01/2025 09:27

Some points to consider

  1. If you don't have a good base fitness level, follow an app / training program that suits you.
  2. Running groups / clubs sound like good ideas but don't work for many people. Running is a solitary activity, unless you're a very social person you may be better off running alone (or with a good friend) until you've reached a good fitness level.
  3. Don't worry about pace. Focus on distance working up to a goal distance over time.
  4. Invest in good running shoes and warm clothes for winter (running in summer heat is worse unless very used to it).
  5. Treat it as a pastime, you will learn to enjoy it as time moves on.

Also invest in a good, high impact sports bra. Some brands eg: Shock Absorber do running specific bras. Even if your boobs are not huge, and even if you're not going hard or fast, you want to protect your breast tissues and ligaments from swaying around.

CrashThere · 08/01/2025 15:19

Not to mention sore or bleeding nipples.

CrashThere · 08/01/2025 16:27

Hope I've not put anyone off. SmileYou are not likely to suffer from nipples bleeding, but your boobs should not be moving at all when you run.

Londonmummy66 · 08/01/2025 23:33

If you are large on top consider wearing 2 bras. I run in a normal underwired bra with side support underneath a Freya underwired running bra. I give Barbara Windsor a run for her money but when I jump up and down nothing moves.....

BogRollBOGOF · 09/01/2025 12:57

CrashThere · 08/01/2025 16:27

Hope I've not put anyone off. SmileYou are not likely to suffer from nipples bleeding, but your boobs should not be moving at all when you run.

I once bumped into DH's colleague at the end of a race. He'd have done better wearing a red t-shirt rather than white...
I have to resist the urge to look down slightly when I see him since then Grin

Chaffing tends to be more of an issue for distance/ intense running. There are anti-chaffing products like body glide.

CrashThere · 09/01/2025 13:20

I've had chaffing after a Half-marathon, but only bra band and waistband, and it wasn't baf. Many of the men had bleeding nipples.
Body Glide is great. Unlike Vaseline, it washes out easily.

FritataPatate · 07/09/2025 22:40

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