Getting into running - need help

Download nhs couch to 5k app & follow it - 8 weeks later you'll be running 3miles /5K.

Similar story to yourself, I did this last January. I'll never be fast but I can run 5 miles (just under 10k) comfortably.

Decent trainers are a must & I recommend a garmin watch so you can see your pace etc. but find out whether running is for you or not before splashing cash.

You really need to commit 3 times a week & then add in some interval training ie 1min fast, 2 min slow & repeat 4/5 times. This training will,speed you up after you can mange 30mins comfortably.

Good luck!

I was going to suggest 'Couch to 5k'. H did it last year, he got really good.

I'm another Couch to 5k fan, although I just used the plan online with the stopwatch on my phone rather than the app.

I hadn't run since my school days 20 years ago and I went from struggling to run for a minute to running 5k regularly. It's easy to follow and as long as you stick to it, you will be able to do it!

Good luck!

Like the others, I'd say couch potato to 5k is a good starting place.

I run regularly and use the Nike+ app on my phone to track my distance, pace etc.

quite honestly, I don't think anyone enjoys running at first but if you stick to it you'll see the results pretty quickly. That's the thing that will spur you on. Starting at a 5k is perfect.

Do you have a Parkrun near you because that's a really good thing to get involved in too? Usually all different abilities and lots of support. www.parkrun.org.uk

Ooooh, I'd never heard of this.

I used to run at the gym (although haven't for about 2years) but I actually used to like it.

I know street running is harder than on a treadmill so I might give this a go to get in to it.

I would also love to be able to run but Im really scared (I know that sounds stupid, to be scared, but once you go for a run you are out in public and people can see you struggling lol) that I wont be able to. I am overweight by about 2st and quite unfit IMO. although last year i lost a stone and was going spinning 4 times a week so wasnt that unfit. Even when I was spinning 4 times a week I was unable to go for a 20 min jog (i tried and failed many times).....Any tips for me? Does it get easier if you stick with it?

Another couch to 5k fan here! I was supposed to run this morning, my week 4 run 3 but the kitten kept me up all night attacking my feet. So that didn't happen! but It's an amazing program and I'm already thinking of when to fit my next run it (tomorrow morning I do believe)

I don't really like running in public, but I get up and go out at 5:30 am so no one sees me, I also run with my dog for company.

At the start I struggled with the 60 second intervals, and now nearly 5 weeks later, my first scheduled 20 min run is for Boxing day and I feel pretty good about it!

Can I ask....which app is the best as there are a few?

1 - Get a good pair of running trainers. I got fitted for mine at a local sports specialist.

2 - Find your pace. If youre going too fast from the offset, you'll struggle to run for a long period. Pace is something that can be increased over time.

3 - Concentrate on your breathing. Don't think about how much your legs ache/how cold it is/how much you want to stop. Concentrate on breathing in for 3 or 4 steps and out for 1/2. I find that I sometimes think about my plans for the rest of the day/week when I run and before I know it I've covered the first mile.

4 - Always have a goal to work towards. My first goal was to be able to run 5k and lose weight for my wedding. My second goal was Race for Life 10k. The next was Great South Run 10 miles. And now I would like to maintain my weight and my fitness and be able to beat my times.

Hope that helps. Running has become something I really enjoy now after only ever having played sport.

I use Endomondo - It maps your run and if you forget to activate it/have no 3G you can do it when you get home on the computer.

I use rundouble - you get 2 weeks free and then it's £1.99 but this gives you Couch25k plan and 5to10k plan plus interval training etc. I can't recommend it enough. It keeps stats of all your runs so you can see how you've improved from run to run.

my first run for example I averaged 15:31 min/mile and my last run my average was 13.12 min/mile. Nothing more motivating than being able to see your progress written down in black and white.

I started out hating running and now my whole life revolves around it - all of my closest friends are from my running club and have been incredible IRL support for me. I actually think I would have had some kind of breakdown by now if I wasn't getting out to pound the pavements.

The couch potato to 5k plans are fantastic, especially if you can combine them with a Parkrun 5k. If you decide to do a parkrun try to get involved in the community there, volunteer to help marshal or go for coffee after etc. If you make other friends who you only get to see at a run then you are much more likely to keep it up. Go easy at first and find your pace. If you get to 5k and decide you fancy doing more then consider joining a local club, many cater to mixed abilities and have good social aspects.

Finally I'd enter a 5k race/event in a few months time and then tell absolutely EVERYONE that you're doing it. This will help you to go out and run when the weather is rubbish or you don't feel like it.

Good luck! And it gets better - trust me!

Just to add another app into the mix, I use Runkeeper. It is free to download and I find it easy to use. You can map a route before you go out which is useful if you are looking for a particular distance.

It also logs all the stats I am interested in (duration/ pace etc).