Celebrated my 4 month running anniversy with a half marathon 😬

[Becky6426]

Omg I have managed 21 km today! My C25k week1 run1 was 20th Jan and 4 months later a half marathon!

My legs are killing and I still hate Hill work but I've done it! Whoop 😁

[Hidden]

That's incredible Becky! You must have some natural talent to progress that fast. I think endurance is your thing! Well done! 🎉🎇👏

[Becky6426 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Lol not sure about that, I think it's more about being completely bonkers 😳 slow but who cares about that bit, it's completed and I got a lovely medal 😁

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations Becky6426, wow, that was fast, I don't mean the run today but you only started C25K 4 months ago and you ran a half marathon, congratulations. If you followed the C25K training program then you would have graduated around the end of March, it's that period from March to now that is the wow factor, once again congratulations. 😊 🏃

PS, by the way if you wish to have the word Half Marathon next to your username leave a message on the May Half Marathon post on the right side of of the healthunlocked Half Marathon home page and tell the administrators that you have ran a half marathon.

[Becky6426 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

I did a 10k before my 5k graduation, I've had such a supportive group around me between the running club and my gym I've been super lucky. I'd never of managed it without them 😊

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10]

That is absolutely amazing and speedy progress, well done you 👍

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

Blimey, That's a rocket fast transition!! Well done! 🏅💪😁 Give yourself a few days off and take it gentle for the next couple of runs 😉

[Becky6426 Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Haha, my legs wouldn't run another inch right now! I never thought I would mange 5k let alone this! Super addictive once you get going and you get your breathing sorted

[Kertesz Graduate10 in reply to Becky6426]

What an incredible achievement!! Amazing... I have to ask - how did you get your breathing sorted...? I still have no idea/plan about this and would love some advice!! Thanks! X

[Becky6426 Graduate10 in reply to Kertesz]

It's the worst thing about running isn't it! I just realised that pushing myself to run fast wasn't working as I could control my breathing and once I was out of breath I'd be panicking and stopping. It was really disheartening and I thought I would never get anywhere.

I started running out with a few friends that ran slower than I was trying and I suddenly realised that I wasn't struggling, we were going at a pace where we could chat but still running. If anyone felt they were struggling, we would slow the pace (not walk) until recovered and then continue.

Honestly the more confident you get the stronger your running will get and your breathing will settle. There's no point pushing so hard that you're gasping for air, you won't sustain it. Hang back and finish feeling positive that you could achieve another couple of km if you wanted too. It's a fantastic feeling when you realise and you need to remember that we aren't all built to be super fast runners, just making the distance I intended to make is good enough for me. I could be sat at home with my feet up but I'm out running 😊

Good luck! You will get there

[Kertesz Graduate10 in reply to Becky6426]

Thanks so much, this is very helpful... I had a similar experience to you during the C25K - and in fact, someone in the forum suggested I slow down until I felt ‘comfortable’ - which I did (and still try to do!!). Your reply has made me realise that I definitely need to quieten my ‘go faster’ demon!! X thanks again!

[18Windmill]

Blimey!! That’s incredible! Very well done you! When’s the marathon?? 👍👍👍

[Becky6426 Graduate10 in reply to 18Windmill]

Never, that's pushing my luck too much 😳 normally I'm pretty positive but a marathon I think is right out of my ability 😂

[SlowLoris in reply to Becky6426]

Yeah right.....

We'll see.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

That’s amazing, you must be a natural born runner. Well done you 🏃‍♀️👏👏

[kwell39 Graduate10]

Great job and congratulations!!

[Deals1 Graduate10]

WOWSERS! 👍🏃🎉🥇. great stuff. Well done.

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10]

That's amazing!! Congratulations! You obviously have some X factor when it comes to running. 🎇🏆🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Holy mackerel Becky, that has to be some sort of record, the speed in which you reached HM! Amazing stuff! 🏃‍♀️🎉🏅💪👊👏😀

[grumpyoldgirl]

Speechless. Doesn't happen often 😁 🎖️🎆🎉👏🎆👏🎉👏

[Shakywakey Graduate10]

What an amazing achievement. You clearly are a natural runner

Well done 👏👏

[linda9389 Graduate10]

That's awesome! What an achievement, congratulations

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

Wow, half marathon in 4 months. That is absolutely amazing. Well done Becky! 👏🏻🏃‍♀️🏅

[Mimirossi Graduate10]

All I can say is Wow!

[JonathanP Graduate10]

You must be on rocket fuel! 🚀 Well done👍