Words Lisa Jackson
Ask many runners how they got started in running and chances are they’ll say the NHS’ amazing Couch to 5K app, which takes runners from sofa-sloth status to proud 5K finisher in just nine weeks. The fact the programme breaks a distance that’s daunting for nervous newbies into manageable chunks is the secret of its undeniable success. Whereas before most running books and experts used to assume simply everyone was capable of running for 20 to 30 minutes non-stop, this app took things back to basics and asked beginners to attempt just 60 seconds of running at a time, and intersperse those speedier sections with walk breaks.