Witchcraft!: Can anyone explain how this... - Bridge to 10K

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Witchcraft!

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10
28 Replies

Can anyone explain how this programme works cos I don't understand it!

Eighteen months ago I decided I wanted to start jogging, and someone said to try intervals. So I started by running 30 seconds and walking 30 seconds for 10 reps, but no matter how many times I tried I just couldn't improve on that.

Fast forward a year to April 2018, and someone else then said to give C25K a go. Ha I thought, I can't run for 60 seconds non-stop .... but I did. And 9 weeks later was able to run for 30 minutes.

In July I ran my first 5k, in August I conquered my local hills (they're not big, but before then they'd been insurmountable to me).

Now I'm unofficially following Ju-ju's 10km plan (I say unofficially, as I didn't start till 3 weeks after everyone else - too busy procrastinating!) And somehow, yesterday I ran for 8km. That's 5 miles! I mean, come on, normal people don't run for 5 miles, it's just madness!

So I've come to the conclusion that this programme, and this forum, magically casts a spell over everyone who joins and turns them into some sort of mad super-human who just wants to run. And if that's not the truth can someone please tell me how in God's name it works? Cos it seems like a miracle!

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Tartancat profile image
Tartancat
Graduate10
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28 Replies
Bry64 profile image
Bry64Graduate10

What a fantastic post ! ! You have put into words exactly my thoughts. Four months ago I couldn’t run for a bus ( I know because I tried to ) 😫 . Last Saturday I ran 10 k ,I mean I ask you that’s surely not possible. I spend many an hour lost in thoughts all connected to running, my family are looking at me sideways wondering if I’ve been taken over by an alien . I’ve heard my husband muttering things like, ‘ but she’s never done any kind of exercise all the years I’ve known her ‘ ....or ...’ your mums just popped out to do a quick 5k ‘ with a bemused expression 😂🤣. Long may it last cos I quite like this new me...Happy Running 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toBry64

10k, well done! I'm even starting to believe i might get there soon 🏃‍♀️

FormulaRun profile image
FormulaRunGraduate10

I agree - definitely some wizardry involved. 🧙‍♂️ 😊🏎🏁

Crib profile image
CribGraduate10

Well said that’s a great post, very true, I’m away on holiday sitting planning my route for a sunrise run , what a change , I had packed running gear first in the case 🏃‍♂️🤣🤣🤣

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toCrib

Madness, genuine madness!

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10

Now then Tartan 🙀 cat. (I am Scottish, have a cat, but it's not tartan) I would not say that normal people don't run 5 miles, that's not even 10k, as you say it's 8K, surely you are not saying that any person who runs🏃 for more than 5K is not normal, definitely no way, they are all normal intelligent people.😊No person who joins this program is a super human whatsoever, they join it for various reasons, personally I joined it as a continuation of my fitness regime, not to train for a half or full marathon🏃although some do.

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toAlMorr

Good point well made. But I prefer to think of us all as super humans 😉

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate10

Lovely post and YOU made it happen, you are a runner now, and that’s such a wonderful feeling, well done 😎

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toju-ju-

I couldn't have done it my own though- I needed all you guys to get me there

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10

Great post and we have all felt that way. Not magic though - but great programmes, discipline and self-belief (and these fab forums). "Believe you can ....and you're halfway there".🙂

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toSandraj39

Nice, and sometimes you don't even have to believe, you just have to try

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10 in reply toTartancat

So true...🙂

Abaggs profile image
AbaggsGraduate10

Yep 😆

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate10

You're quite right Tartancat!

It's magic 😄x

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate10

Yep great post and sooo true! I sometimes tell folk I've been possessed! As the old me would never be going for a run, especially getting up early before work or on a Saturday!! Well done with the 8k. I started the program April too... But I'm not that far yet. Good luck and happy running!!

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toDeals1

You'll get there if that's what you want to do😊

Equi-geek profile image
Equi-geekGraduate10

I think it has worked because it is accessible to everyone. C25k removes barriers - like having to run fast, with a certain technique, on set days, for miles, until your lungs bleed.... or you’re not a runner. The ‘go slow and easy for just an extra 60s’ message builds confidence and strength and without a low risk of injury. And telling people NOT to run on repair days, when they want to get out there and feel good again, is genius reverse psychology. Soon you find your sweet spot, but no-one pushes you out of that except yourself, only if you want to, when you start to get curious about whether you can go faster or further for longer. It’s all within our personal control and reinforcing the ‘feel good’. I also think having virtual support in these forums keeps things positive too. Our running buddies are beside us, whether we are doing a 5K in 20mins or nearly an hour - it doesn’t matter, we are all winners. 👏👏👏👏

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toEqui-geek

Reverse psychology, I'd not thought of that!

Equi-geek profile image
Equi-geekGraduate10 in reply toTartancat

I see it on the C25k forum - ‘Yesterday was easy so it’ll be fine if I go out today, won’t it?’ And we’re all like, ’NO! Rest up this is all part of the programme...’ which is physiological sense but also increases the desire 🤣 ...

and I should correct my double-negative in my comment about injury too 🙄 there IS a lower risk of injury with C25k

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toEqui-geek

It's true. I injured myself twice when going it alone (3 weeks off for each one), but so far, touch wood, no injuries since doing C25K. I'm being a bit fanatical about rest days and not pushing too far too soon as I can't bear the thought of not being able to run. Mad!

Agelesslass profile image
AgelesslassGraduate10

It is a miracle Tartancat, I was the same as you, last Monday I ran 12k, unbelievable isn’t it?

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toAgelesslass

12km, well done you!

BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate10 in reply toAgelesslass

Oh no, you mean B210K might not be the end of it?

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

You are right tartancat, it is magic but the magic is that it changes your mindset into wanting to run and then it takes a lot of hard work and determination on your part to do it . And then you feel great when you’ve done it. Keep on running. 🐱

BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate10

You have joined the madness that is C25K. Isn't it weird? I've joined too although I would never have thought it would happen to me. I ran 5km yesterday with my nephew joining me for almost the first km, then dropping out, and my niece joining me for the last 0.5km. I had every excuse to stop early to join the others, but I'm addicted enough to stick it out to the end of the 5km!!!

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toBaddieThePirate

I love the fact you're getting your nephew and niece involved- the next generation of C25K nutters!

Crawlhome profile image
CrawlhomeGraduate10

Love this post Tartancat, great name too!😁

I can't explain it either but feel exactly the same, went out this afternoon feeling a bit rough and enjoyed going running on a Sunday afternoon! Next is 7k, how did this happen?!

Couchto5k and this forum changed lives 😊🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10 in reply toCrawlhome

Love your name too, though probably not as accurate as it used to be!

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