Runniversary - what a difference a year makes!

[JonathanP]

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…...😀

[TailChaser Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

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

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Always JP 😁😉👍

[Jennypenny2 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Jennypenny2]

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

[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 Graduate10 in reply to Wimborne]

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

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

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 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Pianism]

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

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks SAC - I certainly will!😀

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

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 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Yes that was better than any PB. 🤞

[CRAZYCATME Graduate10]

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

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to CRAZYCATME]

Thanks CCM - I think we all inspire each other !

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

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

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

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

[Katnap Graduate10]

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

Keep running / posting / smiling

😸 Katnap 😸

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

Thanks Katnap - I will !😀

[damienair Administrator]

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

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

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

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Great Post.

😊 😊

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

Happy runniversary 🏃 💪 👍 🎉

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

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

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

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

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks Cheeky - yes the first of many I hope😀

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks Sandie - it has been a great year! 👍

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

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

[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 Graduate10 in reply to Anneep]

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

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

[Empem Graduate10]

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

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Empem]

Thanks Empem - hope your running is going well too😀

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

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

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

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

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

No problem!😀

[Empem Graduate10]

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 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

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 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Crawlhome]

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

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

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

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Fabulous450]

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

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

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

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks Irishprincess - and the same to you !👍😀

[Jell6 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

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

[Granspeed Graduate10]

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 Graduate10]

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

Hope your recovery is going well ?

[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 Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thanks grumpyoldgirl - much appreciated!👍

[Laurzmum Graduate10]

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

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Laurzmum]

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