The forum has a lot to answer for

[bertiesugar]

I am 44 years old, 5 feet 2inches, hefty round the middle, 12 stone 12lb (was 13st 7lb when i started). I had no hobbies and other than work eat sleep repeat that was it. A friend suggested running as a past time activity due to the benefits of exercise, fresh air, socialising etc . He suggested NHS couch to 5k as a starting base

To be honest i thought i would do a couple of weeks and the novelty would soon wear off., But no it did not. I started on the 29th January 2018 I enjoyed recording my runs and keeping you guys on here updated on my progress. Yes it may annoy some people but you knid hearted people liked my posts and gave me encouragement and that has meant a lot to me. I have set goals along the way and one by one having to set new goals.

Run for 30 mins - check

Run for 5k check

Do a park run check

Run for 10k check

Run 10 k in under an hour *never thought I would do that) check

Run over 10K - today ran 11k

This post isnt a boast (as I am sure a lot of you can run further/faster than me). You guys and girls are the coaches, the motivators, the running gurus with yur advice on what to wear, how to run/pace, just general advice and support. This is the extra mile that you give us on here when we are exhausted and cant go on. I just wanted to thank you

for all the support you have given me and others, in getting where I am now

I have now been running 15 weeks - have done 6 park runs, entered the Knowle 10k fun run in 2 weeks and about to register for a half marathon in September (eeeek) Scary but worth every agonising minute. Just a big thanks

[Hidden]

Thats awesome & i am sure that this post is worthy of inspiring many others to keep going 😊 well done 😊

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10]

Absolutely brilliant, well done you

[Hidden]

Cfrikey, you've done a heck of a lot in a short space of time. Huge respect x

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

So pleased for you bertiesugar, I feel the same. This program does change our lives in a good way, and I've always felt amazing support from this forum and its lovely members...😊

Well done on your 11k!😊x

[bertiesugar Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

As admin you should be very proud of this forum, it helps so much

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to bertiesugar]

I've only been on the admin team since December😆 but a forum member for three years ...and yes! it does 😊x

[Fishypieface Graduate10]

My God you are doing amazingly!! I could barely manage 5k in the same amount of time!! Very well done...this programme is utterly fantastic and life changing as you've shown us. Good luck with the half marathon... Not that you need it

[ancientrunner Graduate10]

Well done. It is amazing how this changes your life in allsorts of ways - and you can run faster than me.

[AndG Graduate10]

Sounds like you have really caught running bug! You have built up really quick! I was a New Years resolution c25k intake! I am only up to 6.5k and slow but will hopefully get to 10K at some point! Really good to hear stories like yours, must give you real sense of achievement!

[Doris-1950]

Wow that’s amazing .... you should feel so proud

[Gillma]

I’m a looong way behind you - although 20+ years ahead 😂. Loved your post and am cheering you on - superb achievement and it sounds as though you’ve found something that has changed your life in many ways and probably forever. Inspiring bertiesugar!!!

[TedG Graduate10]

That’s brilliant bertiesugar, fantastic effort in such a short space of time! 👏

Indeed it is addictive and I’d go as far to say I’m bordering on obsessed 🤗

Good luck on your HM, I’m doing the GNR in September....hopefully! 😊

[Rhodalewis Graduate10]

What an amazing post... and well done on all your achievements. I am in awe...I'm still trying to plod towards 10k!!

And yes I echo that this forum and all those in it are incredible..advice , support and encouragement in bucket loads.

Good luck in your half marathon...I will be on the viritual sidelines cheering you on. Happy running.

[misswobble Graduate10]

Yay good for you! 👍😃. Brought a tear to my eye that did. It sums up everything that this programme sets out to achieve

It’s great fun too isn’t it, once you get the hang of it, and have got through the niggles and early struggles

All that in 15 weeks! Keep slowly and carefully increasing distance, honour the non-run day and take care. Don’t overdo things 😃

Racing is just such fun Who knew 😁

[tony_a Graduate10]

That’s brilliant progress and a great example of where C25K can take you.

I agree the forum is brilliant to get (and give) help, advice and encouragement along the way. A real community of supportive people.

I’ve been running about the same amount of time and am also to my surprise completely hooked.

[Madwife60]

Well done you. After my W6R2 this morning which was a real slog in the heat I doubt I’ll ever catch you up but posts like yours keep me motivated. Keep going enjoying what you do x

[ruralfrance]

Great post, superb achievement. Thank you bertiesugar!

[C25KKate Graduate10]

Thank you for your fantastic post. Congratulations on your 11K you've done really well. Very best of luck for the half marathon.

[ToniCR]

You are amazing!!! I started C25K the same week as you. Still working my way to 10k.

Great job!!

[RunningS Graduate10]

Go you! What a great job you have done (and you've given me hope of reducing my own 10k time). I agree re. this forum; it's enduringly positive (some running forums seem to get very aggro but it always seems supportive here). You should be proud of achieving a lot in a short time.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Fantastic, huge well done on all of your achievements

[Mand102]

Bloomin heck, that's some progress! Well done, you really are an inspiration!