Learn to Run: From ZERO to Confidently Running Your First 5km!

If you're a complete beginner or even someone who has run previously but feels like they are back to square one and you struggle to get started and/or stick to it consistently when you do start, then I've got something special for you today.  But first, let me ask you this - have you ever wondered why some people seem to be able to find the motivation to get started and then keep going when it gets tough and others just struggle?

Doing it the Hard Way

When I started running back in the 90s, I did it to try and lose some of the extra weight I had put on after graduating and starting my corporate career, but it was a lot tougher than I expected.

I struggled for ages to get out for that first run and thought "that's okay, I've done the first one so it'll be easier next time", but it wasn't!

Getting myself to go out on my own, with no real plan, 3 times per week for something that felt horrendous, was agonising.

I don't actually remember now how many times I stopped and had to start all over again, but eventually, I got into a routine.

I did it the hard way!

I Was Too Embarrassed To Let Anyone See Me Running

I turned down offers from other runners who said they would run with me to help keep me going because I was too scared to let people see how bad I was.

I was slow and sounded like I was constantly on the verge of an asthma attack (I was born with asthma but haven't had an attack since my early teens).  Oh, and I looked like a beetroot, a very sweaty beetroot.

It was embarrassing!

I also tried a number of different beginner training plans but felt constantly disappointed in the way they progressed - some were too fast, others felt too slow at times, and some made huge jumps that I just didn't feel ready for at the time.

I found myself giving in to the negative thoughts in my head repeatedly.  You know the ones right?  They love to tell you how useless you are and that you should just give up now and stop embarrassing yourself.

But eventually, I learned that I was giving too much power to these thoughts and allowing them to control my life (it turns out running wasn't the only place they were showing up).

I learned to allow those thoughts to be there and accept them for what they were trying to do for me, but to also not allow them to control me.  I discovered that I could actually do a LOT more than they led me to believe.

There Had to Be a Better Way!

So that's why I ended up creating my own Beginners Running Course.

I just knew there had to be a better way.

I spent years studying and reading everything I could get my hands on and then testing out what I was learning about running and mindset.  Then over time, I started to develop my own approach which I applied first to my own running and then to the runners who had now started approaching me asking for help with their running.

Initially, it was mainly beginners who wanted to know how to get started (usually to lose weight) and they loved the approach that I was taking with them.

I combine a structured training plan that allows you to progress at a steady (and safe) rate, with technique & strength work to help you stay injury-free, and mindset work to help you better understand how you can control those negative thoughts.

The BE Fit Coach Beginners Running Course will get you started on your running journey.  Who knows where it will end up...

Is This Course Really For Me?

Let's face it, there are a lot of options available for anyone wanting to start running, so let's look at some pros and cons of the more popular ones:

• Grab a random beginner's plan from Google
  
  • Pros: Free and there are a lot of them
  • Cons: You have no idea if they are any good; they won't typically include advice on technique; you won't have anyone you can fully trust to ask questions if you're unclear about anything
• Download a Couch to 5k (C25K) App
  
  • Pros: Very popular and easy to access
  • Cons: Can be very frustrating as they typically only get you to 30 mins which is NOT enough for a 5km for the majority of beginners; compressed timeframes (to make them more appealing) means they often include unnecessary jumps which can increase frustration and injury risk; you won't have anyone you can fully trust to ask questions if you're unclear about anything
• Pay for One-to-One sessions with a running coach
  • Pros: A great running coach can help with every aspect of your running; plans can be very specifically tailored to your needs
  • Cons: Costs vary greatly (for example, running 3 x per week for 12 weeks with a coach will likely cost over £1,000)
• Join a running club
  • Pros: Great for accountability and making new running friends (the same as our beginner's course)
  • Cons: There can be a huge difference in approaches (which doesn't work for everyone); they can feel intimidating to join; you're often mixed in with others who are more experienced; often no guidance on technique provided
• Just go out and start running and see what happens
  • Pros: Another free option
  • Cons: Need to be very self-motivated; you'll get no guidance on technique; you won't know if you are progressing at a good rate

Don't Just Take Our Work For It

Here's what some of Barrie's clients have said recently about working with him...