Given the impact running has on the joints, it would be great to do a program like this with a bike instead.
(Other than Peloton which obviously has a high entry cost and even their app-only experience is pretty expensive for what it is)
Seems like you are scaremongering.
Couch to 5K works because it starts with a mix of running and walking to gradually build up your fitness and stamina."
"Get running with Couch to 5K" website
This is, of course, unless you have a pre-existing issue. If you have a pre-existing issue running will find it and make it worse, especially as you push out the distance.
On distance, according to some studies 5K happens to be a good point for optimising the long term health benefits – after that you see diminishing returns so don't feel pressured to go further unless you find you enjoy it.
And if you can, try get out and run in the countryside where it is pretty and you are breathing in less car fumes and similar.
Care to make any more assumptions? I practically hadn't run until ~35 when I was significantly overweight, [checks chart] actually officially obese, currently 44 & a bit overweight¹² and running regularly (including doing the occasional ultra event). I know many people with a not dissimilar history and away from anecdata there is plenty of evidence that running is beneficial more than it is detrimental in the general population⁰.
As I said prior: “There is as much evidence for running helping the joins in later life (assume you start earlier) as there is for the opposite.”. I know I know, [citation needed], but as the claim for running being bad for the joins generally was made first: I'll show you my citations if you show me yours. Or just keep downvoting and/or stating I know nothing if that makes you feel more correct.
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[0] of course with the caveats of “if you don't push to hard/fast too quickly” (that can cause damage, though the same can be said for any other exercise) and “if you don't have pre-existing medical issues” (the most dangerous ones here being cardio-vascular related, not joints)
[1] the excess is definitely fat, not muscle mass, unfortunately!
[2] spent a few years well within a range where I should be, but I have to concentrate to manage excess food intake³ and the last few years have had my mind on other things a lot
[3] old habits die hard
Now try to find some evidence that the impact is damaging rather than a stimulus.
Being sedentary causes damage, so the question is do runners suffer more damage.
This isn't exclusive to running either. It can happen with any physical activity.