Hi all, just registered on here today.

I haven't run anywhere for many years, I was always a cyclist first, but have decided to give running a go in order to get fit again. I still see myself as a cyclist, but running seems to be easier to fit into a busy life, particularly when going away for the weekend as taking a bike isn't always practical.

Well I haven't ridden for a long time and got very fat (6ft - 104kg) and unfit. I have been doing some very light sessions on a turbo trainer the last couple of weeks.

I made the decision to give running a go yesterday, and looked up a basic introduction to follow. I found this coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml* couch to 5km schedule and programed it into my GPS. Not owning a pair of suitable shoes (didn't fancy using skate shoes or DM boots :-) ), I popped out and picked up some trainers this morning. Suitably equipped there was no excuse not to go out and try it.

So I take a drive into the forest, walk in for 5 minutes and find a suitable side track where I can suffer in private and not bump into any dog walkers. 5 minutes warm up walk and then jog/walk intervals back and forward along the track. Not surprisingly I was puffing away well very quickly, but then about a third of the way in it started getting a bit easier. 20 minutes later and I am feeling tired, but not like I'm about to die like I expected which is quite good. A walk back to the car to warm down and I head home for a shower.

So now I know I can do it, I need a little advice:
-- The schedule is for three sessions a week, does Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday sound like a good interval, starting the next step each Sunday.

-- I'm thinking about doing light sessions on the turbo trainer on the days I don't run, just 15 minutes of minimal resistance. Will this impact the running or should I stick to just one activity to begin with.

Cheers.



*The forum will not let me make a link, so apologies for lack of formatting.

Hi,
The schedule sounds fine by me. When I talk to complete beginners I often advise that they do repeat weeks to start with rather than increase distance or speed weekly. Obviously this means it takes a bit longer to get to where one wants to be but the upside is that your body adjusts properly and there's less chance of one getting injured.

The light turbo sessions sound ok too but if you are feeling stiff or tired skip them.

All the best.

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It's finally happened.....

I often find that doing other forms of exercise particularly those activities that use the muscle groups in different ways to running often offsets the intensity of runs.

Did you get your running shoes from a specialist running shop or from a high street chain?

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Getting ready for the GNR