I need some motivation please
Hi there!
I'm a long time couch potato and I've finally decided to get off my butt and start the Couch to 5k program. I went out, bought some shoes, downloaded the podcast and am all ready to give this a shot. I figure that it's going to take me a while to shake off my couch flab and I'm okay with that. My short(ish) term goal is to run an actual 5k this year. I'm not terribly concerned with weight loss or anything like that, nor am I really concerned with how much time it will take. I just want to be in decent shape and become an actual runner!
So, my problem is that I have all this doubt. I'm too old, too out of shape, I've never been a runner at ALL, etc. Has anyone else been in this situation and overcome it? Have any of you gone from couch jockey to a runner?
couch to 5km is absolutely the right way to go about starting to run when you have no running fitness at all at the moment, that's what it's designed for! And there's no such thing as too old!
I worked through the programme at the beginning of last year and it really does start off very slow with baby steps towards running. Just pick a day to start, and get out there!!
eta:
this thread might be helpful, quite a few pages of thoughts/info from people who have gone through the programme: Couch to 5km
Hi there, thank you for the link. I will definitely peruse that.
Going to start it up tomorrow morning. Now that there isn't 235234523354 feet of snow on the ground I should be good to go.
Baby steps is exactly what I need. How is it going for you? Are you still running?
You really just need to find a reason to get out and be active. And you don't need to pigeon hole yourself to only running. Try doing some weight training or calisthenics, try yoga. It'll all make you feel way better and make you significantly healthier. I mean, if you can be a vegan, I'm sure you can elicit enough motivation to exercise.
I did it! Day one of the couch program. My legs are sore and my knees are questioning my sanity but I feel pretty good.
Yeah I will work some sort of weight training in eventually if only for variety's sake. For now my aim is to complete a 5k. I am optimistic enough that I think I'm going to register for a local 5k in June. I don't feel like I'm pigeon holing myself. I really want to run. I've always been somewhat envious of you race runners out there and I've decided that I am going to do it, too.
I did it! Day one of the couch program. My legs are sore and my knees are questioning my sanity but I feel pretty good.
Yeah I will work some sort of weight training in eventually if only for variety's sake. For now my aim is to complete a 5k. I am optimistic enough that I think I'm going to register for a local 5k in June. I don't feel like I'm pigeon holing myself. I really want to run. I've always been somewhat envious of you race runners out there and I've decided that I am going to do it, too.
Congratulations! registering for a race is a great idea, because it keeps you accountable. If you are just running to run, some days you will question whether your really want to go out there. But if you go "oh, but shoot, I have that race coming up in a few weeks and I want to do well then," then that'll get you out the door most days than not. Keep up the good work! It's so worth it.