I haven't even began to run yet, I'm just doing a lot of walks and hoping to build up enough stamina to maybe, eventually, try running some day.
Just a note of encouragement.
I don't have LRN's history or experience and won't pretend to.
What I do have is the perspective of being a former non-runner who took up the sport as I approached forty. I'd tried it in the past, but convinced myself I couldn't run. "bad knees" is what I told myself. Made it easier that way.
Then one day nearly eleven years ago I decided I was NOT going to buy yet another set of larger waistlined pants and started researching. Learned about the
"couch to 5K" plan on the old coolrunning.com site. Started that with a cheap Timex digital watch and ended up running my first 5K race. This was before the idea of phone apps became a thing and I had to do it manually. That race led to another, and another, and so on. I've had injuries and healed up. I've gone on a hiatus or two, then turned myself around and got back at it. I just keep at it.
Barring their doctor telling them not to do so, I think anyone can build their stamina enough to run a 5K without stopping. It's just a matter of sticking to it even on the days you don't want to.
When you do find a day that you don't want to get out there, you're not alone. There are a lot of times I don't want to go for a planned run. Yet I suck it up and go do it. The only time I've ever regretted a run is when I didn't go do it. Every other time I'm glad I sucked it up and went. I've run in circles on cruise ships. I've run around new towns while travelling on business or on pleasure. Heat, cold, sunny, dark, raining, sudden downpours, you name it.
Turn "some day" into "tomorrow" once you've checked with your doctor.
Remember: Left, right, repeat as needed.
EDIT: I'll add one thing that I've found... it's super important to have the right running shoes for your individual biometrics. Forget the fancy adverts in running magazines, go find a good local running store that will measure your feet and try you out in various shoe models. Preferably one that videos your foot strike with each shoe and shows you how the different shoes correct for over or under pronation. You should then walk out of there with the right shoes for you. I've talked with many people who have had ankle issues, shin splints, IT band issues, hip issues, knee issues, etc... in many instances them going and getting properly fitted with the right shoes solved the issue. So why not circumvent that from the get go.
Nick
