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I've never been a runner, never in fact been much of a sports person, so now with a couple of stents, pacemaker and a double herniated disk, that was operated on this time last year, I've decided to go for the five. Today I did a, "trial run", just to see if I could make it in the dark. Where I live I am too far away from the nearest gym for it to be possible to commit to going there on a daily basis, so I found a flat road alongside the river. Forgot my earphones, phone battery died after second run so I guess it was not a resounding success. I really would like to reach the goal, and would appreciate your encouragement.

Ok this is my own running tip from my own personal limited experience and novice physical fitness knowledge. If you lend any credability to me, you're gambling. <G> I found at the start that I was struggling. I'd look at my fitbit ( its a watch too ) and check the time constantly. OMG OMG OMG just 2 more minutes and I can walk again. My body knew it was about to get a rest and it fought me hard to convince me it was out of gas. It's not!! Your body will sabotage you every single time it can. You're brain is lazy. You must fool it!!! Stop looking at the time. Run until you're told to walk. Your body doesn't know when it's going to rest and can't poop you out in advance. Just a nice comfortable pace and get lost in the music. It really really works for me. I think you should try it and tell me your fidnings. Keep your body guessing.

Just finished day 3 of week 5. I can't believe I have just ran 20 minutes without stopping and covered 2 miles. 5 weeks ago my legs felt like they were dropping off after running for 60 seconds. For anyone who is thinking of starting I would say 3 things : 1. Get a decent pair of running shoes. 2. Go as slow as you can and build from there. 3. Do it .... Richard

No advice here , I am simply a newbie like you! I just started today and I can't wait for the next run! (Okay, so my running was closer to jogging or shuffling, but I'll get there!) I, too, have Achilles trouble and my plantar fasciitis took almost a year to resolve. Like you, my weight ballooned. So we're in this together! Stay strong and I will, too!

1st January came round and I got weighed and was 21 stone 4lbs. As ever, the New Years resolution kicked off and it normally lasts a week or two. However I was determined I was going to stick to it for a month. 31st January came and I had lost 1 stone via walking 15 minutes every other day and cutting out fast food by about half haha This impressed me and drove me to continue. The end of February, I had lost another 7lbs and another 7lbs by end of March. That was 2 stones in 3 months. This gave me a kick up the bum to increase my walking, I upped it to 30 minutes from April every other day and lost a stone in April, May etc up to September when I lost half a stone due to a Birthday blow out. Lost another half stone in October resulting in 8 stones lost and upped my walking up to an hour every other day. Lost another stone in November and just lost my 10th stone by the end of December. I now weigh 11 stone 3lbs ! My goal for 2016 is to turn my walking into jogging/running hence getting this app at 3am on 01/01/2016 after googling ways to get me moving. Couch to 5k fit the bill and here I am. W1D1

I just started today. Good luck to you!

Hi Shannon and Layla. Im Stacey and will be turning 32 in a month. Mum to 2 beautiful girls, a carer to my hubby (disabled vet) and a part time student as well. I am also just starting and will most likely require motivation as well as looking to lose the baby weight. Am trying to set an example for my girls to follow

I am doing some interval training runs so will keep doing those til you're ready to tackle week 9. I need to get my speed up.

Well done big_p on your weight loss that's amazing

Welcome. Great job with the weight loss - thanks for sharing. You'll do great with the app; running feels great & I believe it's good idea to set some goals around what you want out it. My goals are to lose weight (half way to my desired weight), run a 5K in 21 mins, and run half marathon in under 2hrs. Post up your progress!! Rob

I am turning 45 in a few months - haven't run since high school and am loving this programme. One of the big things it has taught me is time. I now prioritise my running and look forward to it. As a busy homeschool mumma to nine kids, oldest with a disability, finding time was hard but now it is just part of my routine.

Hi Shannon and Layla, keep us posted with your progress and also any challenges that you might face. There are plenty of experienced runners in this forum who have been and still are helping and encouraging me! We are here for each other! I've found the following helpful: Keep your phone in your pocket, don't look at the app at all for the duration of the whole run Have some great music going And remember to 'just keep running' and 'keep putting one foot in front of the other' ◡̈

Try rockmyrun app , you can customise bpm

Hi I am new to this app. I am not and never have been a runner. I am looking to get myself in shape & lose weight so I can enjoy my grandchildren!! I tried a few times to do a Couch to 5K program only to give up. I am so uncomfortable on a daily basis with my weight issues that I have nowhere else to turn. I am praying that this forum & program give me the motivation I need to continue. My ultimate goal is to lose 60 lbs and run a 5k - I will start with my mini goal of 5 lbs and complete week 1 of this program. In other posts that I have read it is ok to repeat days so I know & expect week 1 may take longer then 1 week. My first experience with day 1 - I only completed halfway. Need to start somewhere..

Forgot to say, don't watch the clock. Hide it on your phone and the treadmill. Rely on the sound prompts on the app. It makes a massive difference mentally.

Wow! You're certainly going for it. Although running 5K seems like an impossible task at the moment, you will end up surprising yourself. When I started, I was just like you. I thought I'd never get to day 2, let alone the end! I quickly realised that my body was more able than I gave it credit for and my mind needed to keep quiet and stop thinking that I couldn't do it. I celebrated my first 5K Parkrun (and a significant weight loss) by buying some new running tights! You can repeat days when you need to by just clicking on the day again, the program will check that you want to wipe the previous data, just click yes. Good luck, you'll get there!

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