At 56 years of age, I was looking to find a way that I could get a little healthier both mentally & physically due to life stressors and poor eating habits. I wanted to try out different exercises, but the thought of enrolling into classes and the commute etc. put me off, and I wanted to try running. I've never been able to run, but I found the C25K program, hard, and it took three failed attempts before I stumbled upon the MRP beginner program for over 40s. I started the free MRP 5-week running apprehensive of my ability to complete it. My aim was to finish the program and be able to run for 30 mins without stopping. But instead, I managed not only to meet the MRP 5-week program but progressed on to running 5k non-stop and ran a race for life in March 2022. I am currently preparing for my 10 K race in November 2022. I will recommend MRP Beginner Programme for over 40s & 50s to anyone in my shoes.

I started off with a standard C25K programme and tried to give it my all. After 7 weeks on the program I had severe shin splint and realised that this program was not working for me. I came across the MRP Beginners Programme for over 40s , which looked more reasonable and included strength training to improve muscle strength and avoid injuries. I started in Jan this year and take my time. I repeated a few weeks just to be sure, and my week 7 I had completed the MRP beginner plan for over 40s. The heart rate based running was easy for the body and recovery was quick and I could also run longer. Now, 7 months on from this success, I have followed the level 1 5k program for beginners and have started doing parkruns. I have become a runner for life thanks to Raji from MRP!

MRP Beginners Run Plan for Over 40s is a strong foundation for anyone beginning to run over 40s. I am 45 and gained so much confidence after completing the MRP Beginners Over 40 Plan. It is effortless and straightforward. The run/walk and the MHR(maximum heart rate) based strategy made me look forward to the weekly running sessions. I was no longer huffing & puffing but enjoying every bit of the run. The strength training sessions were fun, just 15 minutes a session, and I started feeling stronger in just a few weeks. I continue to run and have 1-to-1 coaching with Raji from MRP to do my first 10k race!

In 6 months I have gone from running for 30 seconds to running for more than 50 minutes without stopping. I never imagined this was possible for me and I am so proud of myself for sticking with it, I am tremendously grateful to Raji for making and sharing these plans, but I sure couldn't have done it without the amazing runners of the community either!