Enough time to get ready?

Hi everyone,

I posted on here a few months ago for the first time and you were very lovely. I am afraid my life got in the way and my focus slipped. I have now been re-inspired to run a 5k (smallest?!!) in London in October to raise money for asthma due to recent events in my life. If I am to be honest I am not sure how realistic it is and need some feedback or nudging! 

 I am not a fit person. I am overweight for my height but not obese (losing around stone and a half would get me to look really hot!) I am not yet a runner and have no real exercise in my life. I am a total running novice and have horrible memories of being teased at school in PE! I love to swim when I can and casually cycle for fun.

How realistic do you think it is that I could get ready enough by October to do the run? I want to be able to make it round without collapsing!

 Thanks for your words - I know it seems daft, but this is a real personal challenge for me.

 A xxx

Angek, you've loads of time! Have a look at RW 5k program here.

Good luck!

loads and loads and loads of time

I've been training a lady from work who has never run, and in a month she's at 3 miles. 

 as others have said, go for the distance and forget about sped, although you have plenty of time to get in some decent training. 

well done  for getting out there   A race is good motivation and if you can find someone who will train with you and push you enough to improve you but not destroy your confidence etc, even better ;D

Wow! You guys are so awesome! Thanks for the huge support and encouragement!

 Any tips before I get going? For example, do you carry water, run to music, run in the gym or outside? Do you also do other exercise whilst training eg swim, weights etc?

And is it normal to go for a happy  jog to begin with rather then go all out to see what you can do? I have got butterflies in my tummy - excited and nervous!

Thanks for helping me out with all my rookie questions - I will take it all on board.

 You rock!  

A xxx

hi angek, get yourself the 5k beginners schedule that siance has done a link for, it will help you avoid getting injured. just forget speed for now and just go for running comfortably (well, as much as possible) for the times given in the training schedule

when you are comfortable running for half an hour, I would start introducing some hill work and speed work if you are looking to increase your pace.  

 Personaly I run to music, but if you do decide to wear an ipod/mp3 make sure you can hear what is going on around you.  I don't bother with water unless I'm out for an hour or more but you'll find what is comfortable for you.

 definitely break it up with other exercise if you want to, I use the gym and use the static bikes and cross trainers plus some weight work, but just to tick over fitness levels, I'm not a competitive runner but I need to try and lose some weight and get my core stability improved so that's what I do.  the treadmill is good for speed work or getting confidence actually running before you hit the road.  

 but most of all run for yourself and just enjoy the achievement of being able to run 5k. 

Most importantly make sure you have the right basic kit.... that is decent running shoes and no what they'll flog you in one of the low end sports shop   you may need to get some specific to you, which is all very complicated and to do with how your foot lands, if it rolls excessively inwards, or is it outwards, I can never remember...  you will need stability shoes, but if not some good cushioned shoes . and a good sports bra, even if you are not blessed with a large chest (or cursed..) a good bra is a must. Also breathable techie fabric is better than cotton and TK MAXX is fab for bargains

beware though, running is a bug and once it's got you ................

Start well-hydrated, you won't need any water for that distance. If you're worried about running outside do some jog / walk intervals on a dreadmill first, but outside is sooo much better. Cross training's a good idea, just don't mash your legs with heavy weights if you intend to run the next day!

The programme I linked takes you from no running to running, so builds up gradually but don't feel you have to follow it to the letter - it's a guide. When you go from walking to jogging just remember not to go too quick - keep at a slow pace then you'll be able to sustain it.

As for music, that's up to you (and the source of great debate on this forum, along with dogs!)

oooh thread crashing .... but dogs

 you just reminded me siance, I couldnt' believe my eyes this morning. Some stupid, pig ignorant, selfish woman was using the (incidently, complete with no dogs sign) childrens play area, and the slide climbing frame structure, to train her dog for some sort of aglity class this morning..

 How I managed to avoid going over there and causing her some injury I do not know

*wanders off ranting*

And BREATHE, GL!

I've got the most bizarre image of a dog going down a slide now...

up, and down it siance

i have issues with the dog owners round here... I shall refrain from another rant though

I started running about this time last year for a 5K Race for Life in June.... which I did, although a walked a bit. I was 1.5 stone overweight then.

I kept on running, completed a 5K start to finish running in October and have my first 10K in four weeks and plan to enter a half marathon in October.

I was not fit at all... I am now 50 years old and exercise 6 days a week, run 3 days a week and am no longer over weight. At my heaviest I was 3 stone over weight.

You can do it, you have lots of time between now and October and hopefully lots of nice weather to allow you out to do your training.

Good luck

Hiya!

Totally doable

I am overweight, and very new to running.  I started a 10 week training programme 7 weeks ago, and I'm surprised how much I can already do.  Admittedly it's not in a great time, but I'm new to it so I'm not expecting to be really quick.  Anyway, I digress.  I entered a Race for Life event (5k) which is on 7th June.  I will have been running for about 3 and a half months come race day.

Sometimes I run with music, other times not - just depends on my mood, though strangely I do find it easier to run to music.  I don't run with water though.  I don't think I'm out long enough at the moment for it to matter too much, so I just make sure I have a good glug when I get home.  Only thing I do do religiously is wear my Garmin, and record literally every nugget of info I can glean from it after each run to see how I'm progressing. 

My advise - start out slow and build up gently, it's working for me.

Best of luck!

Hi, you should be fine to achieve that goal for October! Good luck!

I am debating doing a 10k in July, but have only run as far as 5k maximum in the past so I am a little unsure! I am not what is known as a "natural" runner and there are times I really do struggle even on short runs and so I am going to really give it a try in the forthcoming weeks. Especially since the weather is improving! I agree with SuperDuff - starting out slow and building up slowly is the best thing!!

I personally run without music most of the time if i am outside - i find it too much of a dsitraction from cars / pedestrians / dogs etc if I take my iPod. Inside though I always listen to music on the treadmill - otherwise I find it much too boring!