What a difference a year (of running) makes… - Bridge to 10K

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What a difference a year (of running) makes…

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10
64 Replies

Okay folks, I will apologise in advance, but as I approach my one-year runniversary, you may well have to suffer a few posts of this kind…

I had a medical last March, and my VO2 max came up as 31 ml. On the "average" spectrum for a woman of my age. This year, after a whole year of running, it has increased to 43 ml! I am now "Excellent" apparently. :-)

This makes me very happy, as the reason I started running was purely to get fit and deal with some emotional imbalances. Not only has it done that, but I have lost 6Ib without even adjusting my diet. I don't really care about my weight as it is fine, but I can feel that 6lb loss (off my middle, which is the best place to lose).

Running is amazing, right?

Sadie-runs x

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Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runs
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64 Replies
Sqkr profile image
Sqkr

Happy runniversary! It is mine too, at the beginning of September 😊 Here's to your excellent vo2max, and to even more excellent running times ahead. 🥂

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toSqkr

Thanks Sqkr! And to you, too! x

Marvo69 profile image
Marvo69

Brilliant improvement Sadie! Well done - keep running! xx

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toMarvo69

Thank you – and I certainly will! x

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

Happy runniversary Sadie., and you can post about it as much as you like.

There is no doubt that this running lark is health improving. According to my Garmin watch my vo2 max is 33 which puts me in top 20% for my age. I guess that’s good but I haven’t a clue what it means or how Garmin comes up with the data. I don’t have anything to compare with when I started - what a shame.

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

Aw, thank you Dexy. I don't think the VO2 max reading on the Garmin is spot-on accurate, but it is an indicator I suppose. No idea how it measures it! Keep on eye on yours though – you may well see the number go up over time the more you run! xx

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10

Gosh I wish folk would stop apologising for posting....🤣🤣🤣 seriously though, any post is welcome. We're hear to listen, support, celebrate or commiserate👍

Happy runniversary!! 🥂 Many congratulations on all your gains! You've done fantastically well and should be very proud 🌟🌟🌟

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toGoGo_JoJo

Well, it was my second post of the day, so I was worried I would start to bore everyone! But a runnerversary does make one feel all nostalgic and pondery. :-)

And thank you kindly for your lovely words! xxx

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10 in reply toSadie-runs

Only second!? Pffft.... when you hit double digits in a day maybe....maybe then 😉😁

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toGoGo_JoJo

😁😘

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10

Happy runniversary! You're right - the health benefits of running are fantastic! Keep on running!🙂

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toSandraj39

Thank you Sandra! I think I am fit, for the first time ever! x

Ripcurlrana71 profile image
Ripcurlrana71Graduate10

That’s brilliant to hear Sadie! The whole V02 thing still baffles me so don’t look at it. 😊 Happy run anniversary - you’re doing soooooo well! 🥂 xxx

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toRipcurlrana71

That's the trouble with Garmin, you can suddenly get fixated on stats and measures of fitness. And it is all rather baffling. But it is so so rewarding to see what running has done for your body. I mean, you can feel it, but sometimes it is lovely to have some hard stats! xxx

Ripcurlrana71 profile image
Ripcurlrana71Graduate10 in reply toSadie-runs

True Garmin has it all! Xx

quirkybee profile image
quirkybee

Hi my lovely

That is great news and happy running anniversary too, woo hoo 🎊🎂🎉👏

That's brilliant regarding your VO2 reading too. I see mine on my Fitbit charge, it was 25 a year ago Feb that I had my Fitbit and I started running in the June. Mine is up to 35,so I'm guessing that's okay, but hey, look at yours 😁 plus you've lost 6Ib too and it's all about the mental awareness too believe me, I know, so any imbalances you may have had, I hope they are improving. That's brilliant Sadie, well done lovely xxx 😊

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toquirkybee

Thanks dearest QB. And wow! That is a big leap up in your VO2 max as well! You should be very proud of that. Emotionally, running seems to have really sorted me out. I am generally on a good even keel these days, less prone to feeling down, and generally cheerier! The benefits, both mental and physical, feel like a miracle to me. :-) Hope all is well with you lovely lady. xxx

quirkybee profile image
quirkybee in reply toSadie-runs

Thank you Sadie, I'm not too bad, lots going on, just wish I coukd run more often, can't even manage 1 a week at the mo, but there's nothing I can change. Nevermind, at least when I go, I'm getting out. The less I go though the harder it is, so I don't like leaving it for long. Keep up your good work, you really have done so well. It's a fight every day when we suffer with so many things in our life, but funnily, running seems to save us 😘 xxx

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toquirkybee

Sorry to hear you are not getting out as much as you would like. 😕 Must be very frustrating. Once a week is better than nothing, so fight to keep that as best you can my dear! Life never stays the same, and I hope circumstances improve for you soon. 😘 xxx

quirkybee profile image
quirkybee in reply toSadie-runs

😊👍 Thank you Sadie xxx

pianoteacher profile image
pianoteacherGraduate10

Happy runniversary Sadie! Congratulations on your improved fitness and here's to plenty more future runs 😁❤️

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply topianoteacher

Aw, thank you my lovely. xxx

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate10

Fabulouso! You are the poster girl for running!! :) :) :)

Can't say that I hold the same image - what with chuffing arse-cheekitis and still a stone or 2 to lose (but it's much firmer now and people tell me I've lost weight even though I haven't :) )... I agree with everything you say. I literally ran up the Lake District on hols last week (well, you know, I didn't stagger off the edge of a mountain, gasping and clutching my chest, like I might have previously) and that's only down to c25k.

Running reaches the parts other sports cannot reach. Bloody wonderful! xxx

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toFishypieface

Woah, steady on there FPF! It's a lovely thing to say, but I would not go that far! Just a middle-aged woman trying to turn back time, a lá Cher! But thank you, from the bottom of my running shoes and heart. Arse-cheekitis still bugging you? :-( Pffffft. Is there no end to this in sight? Wish I could do something to help. (My arse-cheekitis improved after doing Pilates, but not sure what your exact issues are, so that could be bad advice!)

Running does reach the parts, you are right, and it also brought me to this forum with all you lovely people. OMG, I am getting all gushy and Oscar-acceptance speechy! xxx

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate10 in reply toSadie-runs

No, it's true. I think you should take credit for just how well you've done. Don't forget, we've all been alongside you so we know it's true!! :) Plus your medical is telling you that too! You've stuck through the tough times and come out the other side to bask in your well deserved glory!

Unfortunately I think I need a sports physio to get in there and un.... 'itis' said cheek. REALLY not want I want to go through, but my need to run again now far outweighs the embarrassment (I think, anyway). Good news is I can now afford to pay for what could be quite a few sessions and have been recommended someone.... bad news is car now up the spout and can't get there. But, hey ho, there is hope on the horizon, Autumn running could be my thing... who wants to run in the heat anyway??!!

Step up and accept that Running Oscar my dear, it's got your name written all over it xx

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toFishypieface

Well, I would go as far to say I am plucky! I mean, I ran all the way through a horrible winter, all at 6am in the morning, in the dark and rain and some truly ball-shrivelling temperatures (had I possessed a pair). And then came my darkest moments, with what felt like one injury after another. Then I ran through ridiculous heat, getting up earlier and earlier to try and get the coolest part of the day (turns out it CAN be 21 degrees at 5:30am). So yeah, I am impressed at my stick-with-it-ness, being a gal usually renowned for flakiness. 😁 Thank you dear FPF. 😘

Sorry to hear about your car woes, but happy you now have the beans to pay for physio - hoorah! Don’t be embarrassed - they will have seen it all before. My sports massage guy regularly digs his elbow in my arse cheek and all my embarrassment melted, along with my arse cheek. And autumn running is truly the best. I cannot wait to see your triumphant return, I will be looking out for you, and cheering you along all the way. xxx

Fishypieface profile image
FishypiefaceGraduate10 in reply toSadie-runs

Yes, see, you are worthy of all the running accolades going! :) I feel like just going out tomorrow morning and running until I can't (which will probably be 10 mins!), I might just do that. I know it won't fix things, but I might feel a little better about it all :) Thanks Sadie xxx

Well done Sadie, that's awesome. Yes, my VO2 Max has gone from age 81 (shameful) to age 52 - grand eh? Running is indeed amazing, and congratulations on your almost year milestone. I wonder how many people who do c25k are still running a year on. It will be my runversary in late October, so you have pipped me to the post ;) xxx

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply to

Thank you darling, Flick. 😘 And wow! You have come incredibly far in a year, you should be so proud. My Garmin is the most basic one available, so it does not tell me my fitness age. But ya know, I feel better than I did in my 20s. 😁 Looking forward to celebrating your one year with you. 👏👏👏 xxx

in reply toSadie-runs

we will have a good old kneesup when I reach my runversary 😉💥🏃🏼‍♀️🎂🎉🎈🎈🎈and also when you reach yours. Actually I don’t have a record of the date. I did week one and twoI think, then went to Iceland for 8 days at the end of October/beginning of November, so it’s all a bit confused. I think I repeated a week xxx

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply to

Samesies! I did week 1, went away for a week, came back and started at week 1 again. And cannot remember the exact date, but pretty sure it was about now! 😂 xxx

Abaggs profile image
AbaggsGraduate10

Fantastic, well done and keep running 😆😆

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toAbaggs

Thank you! 😘

Sadeskin profile image
Sadeskin

You are a STAR Sadie! Well done you. Enjoy your ‘run-iversary’!

Xx

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toSadeskin

Aw, thank you darling Sades. How are you? xxx

Berksrover profile image
BerksroverGraduate10

Happy Runnversary, great to hear how you have benefited, according to my Garmin, my VO max is42 and increasing, which apparently puts me in the top 25%for my age and gender, who knows if the absolute is accurate but if the trend is in the right direction, that will do for me!

in reply toBerksrover

We will all be in nappies again soon

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toBerksrover

Woah! Fantastic, Mr McFitty!

mountaindreamer profile image
mountaindreamerGraduate10

That’s great, Sadie! Happy Runniversary - may you have many more in the years to come! 🎉🎉🎉😃🏃‍♀️❤️

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply tomountaindreamer

Thank you, Dreamy! 😘

RunBrianRun profile image
RunBrianRunGraduate10

Well done on your runniversary! 👍😃 Is a runniversary a year from graduation or a year from your first run?

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toRunBrianRun

I have nay idea, but I am counting from week 1 of C25K, as that’s the day I first made positive change to my life by starting to run. 😁 And thanks, Brian! 😘

SHBWY profile image
SHBWY

That’s brilliant Sadie. I hope I am still running 1 year on! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toSHBWY

You will be! And thank you. x

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate10

This is what it’s all about, Thankyou so much for sharing, and what better reason is there to start running than this proof it is so good for us in every sense... well done and happy Panthering xx

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toju-ju-

Thank you, ju-ju. 😘

Sarakc profile image
SarakcGraduate10

Happy Runniversary!!!

It’s really wonderful how great running has made us feel! I started C25K in September last year and it’s the best thing I’ve done!! 😀🏃‍♀️👏👍x

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toSarakc

Thanks Sara! Oooh, your runniversary is soon! xx

Tbae profile image
Tbae

Lovely post Sadie.👍

Reassuring for you to have the stats., and to also share with the forum.👍

Happy runniversary and many, many more.👏👏

Completely agree with you.💥

Running is magic and I could never have believed the significance it has on all of our fitness and wellness.💥

I do not have the techie stuff, so no stats.🙈

Relatively I am as fit now as I have ever been and I do believe our bodies can be forever youthful and aided by running singularly more than anything else.💥

I strongly believe that this gift is the life’s blood of my soul.💥

Don’t care that it took me 75 years to find it.🙈

I hope I die running and not on a couch.👍

Take care of you and keep amazing yourself and us.💥🏃‍♀️💥

SHBWY profile image
SHBWY in reply toTbae

Fabulous!

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toSHBWY

😁

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toTbae

Thank you dearest Tbae. To be honest, the stats are not needed - you can feel it in your body and in your emotions the benefits of running! When you think about it, running is so simple, but so effective ... it does feel like a kind of magic.

You continue to inspire me, Tbae, I have so much respect for you as a runner! 😘

Tbae profile image
Tbae in reply toSadie-runs

Ditto Sadie, and I would die to have your pace and the pace of the terror team.💥🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💥👏👏

The lamposts around here are all very smuggly comfortable, but one of these days they are going to get a surprise.🙈

Roll on 🔥💨

Continue to bring your stuff and enjoy it all Sadie.💥🏃‍♀️💥🔥💨

Oh yes, running is indeed amazing, and I'm really really pleased for you, I know you've been on quite a journey this last year, and it's one I've been immensely privileged to share with you! It's my runniversary coming up, probably soon I think, I didn't really note the day I started couch to 5k because I never thought I'd get past W1R1 lol

Seriously though, well done. You have been a true inspiration, to me, yes, but to a lot of other people on here and over on C25K as well. It's been an honour to run with you so far...

Take care, Ms Fitty McFitFit!

Neil

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply to

Same, Neil! At first I thought I would not get past week 1; so I didn’t make a note of when I started either! And never thought I would be running and loving it, running for over an hour, one year later. Thank you for your kind words. You have been a fantastic running buddy and cheerleader to me too.

Happy running, Neil. x

SW16 profile image
SW16Graduate10

Oooh, congrats on the runniversary and all your other achievements! Its all rather marvellous! I don’t know my date so I’ll have to give Sarah M a quick check!

Enjoy your celebrations!!

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toSW16

Thank you so much! I am kinda guessing my date - it was around this time so I am celebrating it the whole week! 😂

SW16 profile image
SW16Graduate10

Perfect! 🎉

pinkaardvark profile image
pinkaardvarkGraduate10

Well done Sadie. A year is such an achievement, I have only been running 9-10 mths and i'm on the couch at the moment but thinking ahead to October when my runniversary is(not sure of exact date) it seems like a stupendous thing to have achieved from where I was before I started, so it must be dizzy being up there :) .

Like you i'm just trying to turn back time :) so here's to that and thank you for your fun and heartwarming posts, your lovely runs and your gushing over new shoes. Here's to you Sadie.. you runs x

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply topinkaardvark

Oh thank you so much, pink. 😊 What a lovely reply, I am touched. You know, I never would have guessed at the start I would still be running one year on, and I started from a level of pretty much zero fitness. So yes, it is dizzying, and I feel proud. I remember trying to be positive when I picked my user name - despite my nerves - so that was a good start! Sadie runs: no debate!

Having a break is good. How are you doing? I am going to try and enjoy the week off I am giving myself, give my legs a rest, hope to return reinvigorated....I am so in awe of your running achievements, you know. Miss your posts!

Sadie-runs xxx

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate10 in reply toSadie-runs

Happy Runniversary lovely Sadie Runs!😊

So pleased for you, that must have been exciting getting that result and you have lost 6lbs from your middle too! (I think I may have found them and picked them up😉🍷☕🍦🍰)

Here's to your next Running Year!😊xxx

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toBluebirdrunner

Thank you dearest Jan! You have been with me the entire year, cheering me on from the start, and for that I will always be grateful! xxx

Equi-geek profile image
Equi-geekGraduate10

Happy runniversary!! That’s really good to hear your progress, but also about your increased VO2max (and others that commented on their improvements 🙏) Mine’s gone up 1.5% since the beginning of August after I graduated, but I’ve not taken much notice of it - so hopefully if I keep running and losing weight I’ll keep seeing it improve - cool! 😁👍.

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate10

Happy belated runniversary Sadie-runs ..I missed this post due to my busy Hol....yes, I totally agree with you, running IS amazing xx

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