Musings... one year on.

[DebJogsOn]

For reasons I can't quite fathom now, whilst I know when I started Wk1 R1 of C25K, I don't know my exact graduation date - but feel safe to say that I've now been running for a whole year since graduating.

Yesterday I set out to run a route I'd planned of about 8k but it was a lovely morning, I'd hit that sweet spot of leaving all my troubles behind and because I could I decided to carry on to 10k. And this sums up how running has changed my life.

I'm not a fast runner (though I'm much faster than I ever thought was possible in the beginning), I don't have ambitions to run a marathon (though I've though 5k, 7k, 10k were all impossible distances in the past) and I don't like the idea of racing but three times a week (with the odd exceptions when life - usually work - gets in the way) I go outside and I run.

It's really that simple and it's changed my life - yes because I didn't believe I could do it and the last time I ran was in cross country at school (more than 30 years ago) and I was rubbish - but more because I make time for myself; I get outside and enjoy the seasons, the ever changing weather, the views, the sunrises the sunsets, the moon in ways I'd forgotten; I'm fitter and stronger physically and mentally; work and its stresses are more firmly in perspective, I feel more positive about myself than I have in ages and I have a virtual group of cheerleaders on here that will keep me going when the going is tough.

Running? How did I manage without it 😊

[Tartancat Graduate10]

What a lovely post. You have just summed up exactly how I feel about running too. How did we ever manage without it?

[DebJogsOn in reply to Tartancat]

I don't know! The only regret I have is that I didn't find it earlier!

[tomattab]

Absolutely! Thanks for a great post. I'm nearly a year behind you (did W9R3 on Friday) but looking forward to continuing.

[DebJogsOn in reply to tomattab]

Ah enjoy those post grad runs - a great opportunity to find out exactly what you love about running. 😊

[tomattab in reply to DebJogsOn]

Thank you Deb!

[Cazza26 Graduate10]

Spot on Deb!

My feelings exactly. 😀🏃‍♀️

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

👏👏👏 Well said 👏👏👏

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🤩❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Joy57 Graduate10]

Sounds great, I agree with you in so many ways 😀

[Hidden]

i love your posts Deb. Always look forward to reading them. Thanks.

[DebJogsOn in reply to Hidden]

Aw that's so kind. I always feel a bit self indulgent posting on here (and sometimes feel a bit of an addict) - but it's a fab way to record the journey, helps me to keep going when it's tough and I always take inspiration from other people's posts.

[Shakywakey Graduate10]

What a great post and I love the quote. Thanks for sharing it 😁. I feel the same - can’t believe the positive impact that running has had on me

[DebJogsOn in reply to Shakywakey]

Great isn't it? 😊

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Fantastic post - and congratulations on your 10k 😀

[DebJogsOn in reply to JonathanP]

Thank you - I've run a few now but never cease to be amazed and grateful that I can 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Excellent post Deb. Happy Runniversary, and what a brilliant quote - that is so true. Such a shame I didn’t start until 60.

[DebJogsOn in reply to Dexy5]

That's my only regret - that I didn't do it sooner. Why did no one tell me how great it is? 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to DebJogsOn]

I think I told myself I wasn’t built for running, but I’m sure I couldn’t have done it without c25k.