I tried to learn to run back then & gave up. I'd not heard of N2R then & attempted a "DIY" approach! Instead, I ended up walking (a lot) to lose weight & to start my fitness journey; but I always looked at people running past me and thought - one day that will be me.
I became a runner earlier this year when I started run 1 of week 1 of the N2R intro plan.
It's not all been straightforward and there have been a few ups & downs along the way.
The advice I wish I'd learnt on day 1 which would have smoothed things out a lot for me, and I hope may help others, would have been:
Set up a regular run schedule - after a couple of weeks I ran the same days and same times each week - make it a habit and you'll start to look forward to the sessions & you'll really miss any days you can't make.
Don't cheat and miss any of the strength training (I did & had time-outs due to injury!).
If you can't get your breathing under control - slow down. Definitely remember there is no such thing as too slow!
It's totally OK to have a bad session, or two, or three, or.... just don't beat yourself up over it.
No one is going to have 36 perfect running sessions & 24 perfect strength training sessions in the N2R program - that'd be weird.
If the whole pace/breathing thing gets too hard to figure out - run without one earphone in. I found if I could hear my breathing it was so much easier to slow down and control. If you can still talk, then that's the pace you're aiming for. And yes, I would talk to myself to test this out.
But be prepared to be shocked. I often thought I was being chased by a loud, stomping, wheezing beast with an unknown number of legs in the early weeks - until I realised all the noise was me.
My vision of having a graceful, sleek, silent & gazelle like running style died on the spot.
The heavy breathing has gone, the stomping has stopped & my style is much improved; but I still run like a duck.
Hopefully, some of these points will help people avoid the mistakes I made. I wish everyone the best of luck in the pursuit of their own goals too.
As to what's next for me; in September I did a 100k event as a walker, but there were people running that distance too.
In order to become a runner, you don't need much in order to become successful: a plan, an encouraging community and consistency. With N2R, you can have them all.
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Works Around your Schedule
Time is hard to come by. Kids, work, and other commitments can get in the way. You need a plan that's easy to follow and can work around you, not the other way around.
Break down the lies you tell yourself
You look "weird" when you run. You’re “not” a runner. You’re too “slow” or too "Old." We're here to tell you right here, right now, that you’re wrong. You only *think* these things because it's new and you feel uncomfortable. That'll change with consistency and time. You are a runner!
Exercise Smarter, not harder
It may have been hard previously, but it doesn't have to be – now, you'll be given the tools and the knowledge to succeed. We’re doing things differently in order to see different results.
N2R Eases you in
Running when you aren't ready or without the proper training can hurt, leaving you with nagging injuries that never seem to clear up. We ease you in, giving you the strength and conditioning you need to make sure your running doesn't come with pain.
