Motivation to start running.

The couch to 5K is great, there is also a couch to 10K.

You don't have to start at week 1 - maybe week 5 or 6.

It took me a long time to get to running and now if I find a day where I'm just not motivated (or well enough) to do a full 30min the option of doing a run from an earlier week makes the prospect a lot less daunting and I'm more likely to go out.

The more you do it the less of a chore it becomes.

You find it too hard, but dont want to start at week 1 of C25K?

What is it about running that's too hard?

(I'll guess - you're going too fast)

Try the C25K. If you find week one too easy skip ahead to week 2. Or 3.

Good luck!:)

My first run 3 years ago was for 5 minutes. I felt like I was about to collapse and I was stiff for 3 days. A week later I could run 10 minutes. I was so proud of myself I pushed further, within another week I could run 2 miles.

What I'm saying it when you first start running, the progress comes fast and hard. That alone was enough to get me interested, but I agree with the person who suggested signing up for races. Sign up for a 5K, it will give you a reason to train, and they're a lot of fun, the atmosphere is motivating. If you're competitive and worry about needing to be faster than others, try a Race for Life, a lot of people walk those so if you run some and walk other bits or just jog at a steady pace you'll still feel like you're doing well.

Running IS hard, it's also pretty much the best cardio for burning calories in the time. Think of that bit when you're starting to struggle!

I find it too hard and just quit after the first day.

I've heard of Couch to 5K training program, but I'm much fitter than someone starting on week 1

Wait, what???? :huh:

I find it too hard and just quit after the first day.

I've heard of Couch to 5K training program, but I'm much fitter than someone starting on week 1

Wait, what???? :huh:

I was thinking the same!

And this is good advice:

I recommend starting at Day 1 of the C25K. I thought I was reasonably fit as I walk a 4 mile commute to work and regularly walk 10 miles at the weekend. Running is different and it's taken me the 8 weeks to be comfortably running for 28 minutes.

There's a group on here for anyone following C25K and you can find motivation and support smile

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/30-couch-to-5k-running-program-c25k

I also started c25k while "reasonably fit", and have always been an avid walker. I could walk, and walk fast, for miles with no problem, but running is a whole different animal. I would suggest c25k and starting with Week 1 as well - follow the program as it is written - it works. It may seem easy at first - so what - enjoy it! It prepares your joints and muscles, slowly building them and avoiding potential injury. I remember being sore in areas where I was never sore from just walking or other exercises. Running is different.

If you want to run, use the program and stick to it the plan. It works - made a runner out of me at the age of 43, and over a year and half later, I'm still running, racing, and enjoying it.

Hi, The biggest key to running is slowing down, slowing down more, and slower again! The biggest thing that stumps people when they first start running is they go too fast and burn themselves out very quickly.
A walk, a min running, a walk, another min running until you are going longer at your runs and shorter at the walks. Build up slowly - I found Runkeeper amazing as an app - it's free, unlike couch 2 5 k - and has 5k for beginners, plus lots of other training programs, also free! It plays your playlists from your music on your phone, and it gives you regular feedback as you're running, such as distance, pace, speed, etc - it also works out your calories and synchs to MFP - also free!

When I was getting back into running after taking a break for a few years, I got a super book which was instrumental called 'Run Fat ***** Run' by Ruth Field - practical, no nonsence way to get you off the couch and running - can't recommend it highly enough. If you google her, you'll also be able to find articles she writes, which are full of super advice and very helpful.

Most importantly - nothing is better for calorie burning than running - but do it to enjoy it and you won't know yourself!

I am probably setting too high expectations from day 1. I've tried going slow but simply cannot do more than 5minutes at a stretch. I think I'll try C25K. It's not that I hate running, I just feel self conscious about my inability to do it for long enough, especially because other activities like swimming is so easy for even a whole hour!

Swimming fitness doesn't translate into running fitness.

My last swim coach swam for Canada and has been inducted into his university's sports hall of fame, he's at least 25 years younger than me and at Ottawa Race Weekend his half-marathon time was 10 minutes slower than me (a couple for years ago he complained he could barely run 5K). The moral of the story......he can kick my butt in the pool with one leg tied behind his back, he's probably (overall ) much fitter than me but running is running and swimming is swimming.

Don't be too hard on yourself. If you really want to run (and running is awesome.....but I'm biased) build up slowly and gradually. Keep it fun, you have a whole lifetime of running ahead of you (Do you ride a bike too? Maybe you'd be a great triathlete?)