Runniversary - what a difference a year makes! - Bridge to 10K

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Runniversary - what a difference a year makes!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10
61 Replies

Yesterday was the anniversary of my starting c25k. So what's happened during that year?

Well Runkeeper tells me that I've completed 151 runs, totalling 1290 km. I graduated c25k on 25 July and after consolidation, started to work towards 10k, which I achieved in October. I've done 31 parkruns and volunteered 4 times - what a fantastic invention!

Currently I continue to run 3 times a week - one 5k (experimenting with intervals at present), one 8-10k and parkrun. I was really pleased to get a parkrun PB of 27.39 two weeks ago, which took me into the 60% age-graded band (60.1%!). I'm still working on a sub one hour 10k (1.00.39).

I guess what has made a significant difference has been health-related. I've previously posted about being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last May at the age of 63 and that reinforced my motivation to get fitter and lose some weight. In conjunction with a low carb, low sugar diet, running has helped me lose over 3 stone from a starting point of 14 and a half . That contributed to my blood sugar level dropping from 54 to 42 (one above the normal range). My next annual assessment won't be till November but I'm confident that will show I am now lower still!

But the most important aspect has been the enjoyment I get from running. I've never been ‘sporty’ and it still sometimes surprises me that I am a runner! The support from this forum and from VRBs (you know who you are!) has been a key factor in enabling me to achieve what I have and carry on. Happy running and thanks to all - particularly the forum admins, without whom…...😀

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JonathanP
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61 Replies
TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10

Happy runniversary JP!! 🎉🎉🎉 And amazingly well done on losing all that weight! 👏👏👏 I think many of us feel as you do, that, not only do we get a lot of enjoyment from running (I won’t say ‘enjoy running’ as I think that is slightly different!) but that we are also runners! Personally, it always surprises me that after 5 minutes of running I’m not scrabbling on the floor for breath and can still carry on for relatively ages!

I wish you many, many more happy years of running. Good luck for your assessment and let us know how you get on 🤞🤞🤞

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

Thanks TC - glad too to see that you're feeling better and back on the PB trail!👍

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toJonathanP

Always JP 😁😉👍

Jennypenny2 profile image
Jennypenny2Graduate10

Great post and I'm glad you've achieved all those great runs I'm sure there's more to come, I've managed to run 10K but convince myself I was too old to do more.. But seeing that you're 63 I'm going to try and do more 😁 you have inspired me to carry on, I will be 60 on the 28th of May😱 I'm going to plan my next 10K with my daughters and start training for it now😁🏃🏼‍♀️

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toJennypenny2

Great Jennypenny! Thanks - by the way, I'm 64 now and qualify for the Beatles song! 😀

Wimborne profile image
Wimborne

What a fabulous year JP 👏👏👍😀. It’s just amazing what a difference it can make to every aspect of our health. Happy Runniversary and wishing you very happy running days ahead. 😀

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toWimborne

Thanks Wimborne - yes it's almost like magic! 😀

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10

Congratulations to you Jonathan! Wow 3 stone in a year! What a change that must be for you! And wow 151 runs! Sounds like you must have avoided injury as well. Long may that continue.

Quite a wait until November, I do hope that your blood sugar will be in the normal range then. Have you come off medication as a result? Did your GP suggest low carb or did you go that route because of something else? You have mentioned the background before, but I have forgotten.

Well done on your PB from the Parkrun too and just 40 seconds to go for a sub 1 hour 10k! You certainly have lots to celebrate! 🍾🥂👏🏻😊🎉👍🌟 💥⚡️ 🏃🏻🤸‍♂️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃🏻🤸‍♂️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toover61andstilltrying

Thanks over61 - yes the weight loss has meant a lot of new trousers!😀 Thankfully I have avoided the IC - perhaps more by luck than judgement!

I didn't need to go on medication thank goodness - my GP referred me to the diabetes nurse who advised on diet. I can still have little treats - just a case of being careful. 👍

Pianism profile image
PianismGraduate10

What a wonderful post to remind us all of the incredible benefits of running! That's an amazing set of achievements in just a year! :)

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toPianism

Thanks Pianism - yes it's great what that decision to start running has led to!

SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatGraduate10

What a great year Jonathan! So many health benefits and some great stats to go along with it. Congrats on starting this awesome journey and keeping with it. Enjoy your second year of running

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toSaskAlliecat

Thanks SAC - I certainly will!😀

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

Happy Runniversary dear Jonathan, I have only met you since you have lost weight and you certainly look like a runner to me.

You have achieved so much over the last year and I’m sure your doctors will be extremely impressed when you go for your assessment in November.

You also have my total admiration for running ‘’Up the hill’ , while I cling to my seafront flat runs.

I wonder what the next year will hold for you? Your first official race maybe.

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

Thanks Dexy - the meet-ups with you and UTS have been great. As for hills, they aren't too bad once you get to know them !😀

I would like to follow your amazing achievement in coming off blood pressure medication but we shall see.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toJonathanP

Yes that was better than any PB. 🤞

CRAZYCATME profile image
CRAZYCATMEGraduate10

What a wonderful achievement JP! You should be very proud of yourself. You are an inspiration to us all :)

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toCRAZYCATME

Thanks CCM - I think we all inspire each other !

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10

Happy runniversary, Jonathan! And what a fantastic inspirational story! I am so happy to hear your blood sugar levels have come down so much - wow! You have put in the work and turned your health around - running is amazing, isn’t it? You too are amazing. And lovely to hear you enjoy your running. ❤️ I’m the same as you - never been particularly sporty, but now feel positively athletic and get so much pleasure from running.

Well done, Jonathan, I am so happy for you. 👍😁

Sadie-runs x

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toSadie-runs

Thanks Sadie - it is quite a transformation and when things get tough, running can really make a difference👍

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10 in reply toJonathanP

Oh yes, running has certainly taught me a resilient equanimity, and made a recent difficult patch so much easier to navigate. x

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10

Fantastic JP! You're a great ambassador for C25K and parkrun

Keep running / posting / smiling

😸 Katnap 😸

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toKatnap

Thanks Katnap - I will !😀

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator

Fantastic post. Congratulations to you for your success so far. Very inspirational. Like you, running has changed my life and I adore Parkrun.

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply todamienair

Thanks damienair - yes it's great, isn't it !

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate10

Great Post.

😊 😊

Fabulous to hear how far you've come and the massive improvement to your health. Well done u.

Happy runniversary 🏃 💪 👍 🎉

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toDeals1

Thanks Deals - yes I wouldn't have believed it unless I'd done it!😀

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate10

Happy first Runniversary Jonathan, and congratulations on all that you have achieved since starting c25k. It's great how this program has changed so many of our lives, given us the tools and incentives to get fitter and healthier. We all love it don't we!

Wishing you many more happy runniversaries!😊xx

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toBluebirdrunner

Thanks BBR - it certainly is a life-changing programme👍

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

A wonderful wonderful year Jonathan! What a difference running has made to your life and wellbeing. Fantastic! 👏👏

I haven no doubt sub 1hr is well within your grasp. You’re so close now! 🏃👍

Here’s to another happy year of fabulous runs. 👊🏃😀

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Thanks Cheeky - yes the first of many I hope😀

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10

Happy Runniversary Jonathan and congratulations on all the benefits your first year of running has brought you. Here’s to many more happy running years to come!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toSandie1961

Thanks Sandie - it has been a great year! 👍

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10

Fabulous! Happy runniversary! 🍾🥂

Nope I've never been remotely "sporty" either. Still not sure I am, "eccentric" might be a better term! 🤣🤣🤣

So pleased to hear you're having such great health benefits. Keep on running, keep on smiling 😁

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toGoGo_JoJo

Thanks JoJo - I might go for 'quirky'?! 😀

Anneep profile image
Anneep

What an inspirational post Jonathan, what impressed me most is your consistency and determination to keep going, especially as you must have done so through winter. I hope I’ll be posting something similar in a year’s time!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toAnneep

Thanks Aneep - the winter was a bit of a challenge!

I'm sure you will - all the best for your ongoing running journey👍

Empem profile image
EmpemGraduate10

All of the above!Hats off to you! So impressive and such inspiration for others.

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toEmpem

Thanks Empem - hope your running is going well too😀

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10

Well done JP. You started 3 days before me but your times and mileage are light years ahead! In the end it is all down to how feel after a run, preferably enhanced with a flat white and triple chocolate brownie! 😊👍🥇

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

Thanks BC. Definitely - mine's a cup of tea and half a chocolate digestive (have to keep that blood sugar level under control !) 😀

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply toJonathanP

Of course you do JP ...apologies for conjuring up tempting images 🙄

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

No problem!😀

Empem profile image
EmpemGraduate10

Go on Nellienoo ( sorry that's what I call my daughter!) You can do this.It doesn't have to be spectacular.I always remember one of Laura's tips on the podcasts...."a bad run is always better than no run".Good Luck

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate10

That sounds fantastic progress Jonathan. Your PB has made Mr Coddfish quite jealous as he has been trying to get under 28 minutes for a little while. Meanwhile I dream of getting back to the 37 minutes I achieved in 2017! We look forward to seeing you at Southsea on Saturday. As we are running the London Vitality 10k on Monday we are volunteering so should be easy to spot. I am on finish tokens. Mr C is marshalling, not sure whether he is on the turnaround point or not.

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toCoddfish

Thanks Coddfish - yes I have been promising Dexy5 I will 'head south' for a while so thought it was time I started my parkrun tourism with an easy one!

Crawlhome profile image
CrawlhomeGraduate10

Happy anniversary Jonathan and what an incredible year.

Thanks for sharing your achievements, your weight loss and health improvements are absolutely awe inspiring.

Plus an impressive parkrun time, wow!

Here's to the next year. 👍👍😊😊

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toCrawlhome

Thanks CH. It has been great - and more to come!👍

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate10

How fantastic JonathanP!! You’ve done an amazing job and the benefits are very clear and inspiring too!! Well done you!! 🤩🤩🤩❤️

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toFabulous450

Thanks Fabulous - congratulations on completing your 'Move for Mind' Challenge too😀

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate10 in reply toJonathanP

Thank you Jonathan!! 🤗 I hope to be out on my Runniversary too!! So back out tomorrow to keep up the momentum!! 😂! ❤️

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10

A bit late but Happy Runniversary to you! And really well done on all your achievements, all hard earned and all biggies.

Here’s to the next year of joyful 😀 injury -free running 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toIrishprincess

Thanks Irishprincess - and the same to you !👍😀

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate10

What a difference a year can make.

Well done Jonathan for all the positive changes that you have made.

So inspiring.

I bet you can't wait for your next health check.😊

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toJell6

Thanks Jell6 - yes,having to wait 6 months is a bit frustrating !

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10

What a year! I missed this when it went up so get to enjoy it now. 🎉👏🏼🎉 You’ve accomplished huge things and kept going amazingly. SUCH a good example to those of us in our first year. Can’t imagine what you’ll go on to do, but sure it will be fabulous. Happy Runniversary and happy running! 🎶🎵🎶

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10

Thanks Granspeed! No I can't imagine either - the world is my oyster! 😀

Hope your recovery is going well ?

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirl

What a lovely post Jonathan, sorry I'm late to the party. It is amazing to see what you've achieved in such a short time, you are always so supportive of others, it's nice to have the chance of giving some back 😊 🎉🎉🎉

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply togrumpyoldgirl

Thanks grumpyoldgirl - much appreciated!👍

Laurzmum profile image
LaurzmumGraduate10

What a great and inspiring post !!! Happy runniversary 🏃🏻‍♂️ 🎉

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply toLaurzmum

Thanks Laurzmum! I see you're on the Bridge at the moment - all the best for your 10k race next month👍

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