As I'm rapidly approaching my half century I've decided that being an excercisephobe is no longer a sensible option. I've been fag free for 5 months now and am exercising (Both strength and cardio) 6 days a week. Running, it seems, is one of the cheapest, yet effective forms of exercise around so I'm looking to start the C25K program next week.
I'm not looking to progress any further than about 10K eventually (Stick your marathons up your arse).
Have any of you enthusiasts got any top tips?
Not an enthusiast by any means - I'm probably about 7-8 weeks ahead of you
But what I've found really helpful was following a programme that builds up gradually, not just in terms of the length of each run, but the intervals within each run. My previous attempts at starting running regularly were always undermined by charging out the house full of enthusiasm, going hell for leather for about 400 yards then collapsing in a humiliated soggy mess at the roadside before limping back home and giving up. Because I'd tried to run before I could walk, pretty much literally.
My recent attempts have worked because I've got three things right
1) followed an interval-based programme that started off with (e.g.) 5 mins walk- 5 mins light jog- 5 mins walk, then built up over the weeks to longer sessions and more sustained effort within sessions. So it started out easy almost to the point of being frustrating, but has built up almost without me noticing.
2) Little and often - I do 20-30 mins 4 days a week. Which I can fit in before getting the kids up for breakfast/school run/work without being too disruptive, but it also creates a regular habit/pattern which is crucial to sustaining it.
3) Make the last day of the pattern a gentle jog/recovery run
(I say I've got them right, actually the programme I followed did this).
Oh, and yeah like Samdy says get a decent pair of running shoes. Go to a proper running shop (i.e. not sports direct, DW Sports etc) and ask what type you need.