Around 9 weeks go ......

[ashton46]

....... I started this couch to 5k plan for a few reasons.

Loose weight? Yes.

Regain fitness lost long ago? Yes.

A hobby. Yes.

Another was that my Dad was not very well. He was an old man but I'd seen him struggle for a while in his later years with health and mobility, much of which was due to his lazy lifestyle and even though he was a lot older than me it started to make me think. What sort of person did I want to be in my later years? I'm only 34 now, and I don't know this for a fact, but it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of newbie runners, like myself, start running in their 30's. Perhaps you just get to that age when you change physically (and perhaps mentally) from "young" to "non-so-young"? Not sure.

During week 8, my father sadly passed away. As a result, my runs have been less frequent. But this weekend I set out to conquer the 5k. And ever since the beginning of this plan, I wanted to complete the 5k in under 30 minutes.

At the risk of sounding a bit cheesy, I wanted to do it for him, for my Dad. I thought about him for the entire duration of the run. The last 2 or 3 minutes were extremely difficult and I had Runkeeper chirping in my ear every half a kilometer and every 5 minutes so I knew it was close if I was to complete the 5k in under 30 minutes.

I've attached a screenshot of my time. And I'm not ashamed to say I'm damn proud of myself!

Here's to you Dad, see you again one day.

[Poppy2010 Graduate]

Lovely blog, tinged with sadness for your loss of your Dad, but I'm sure he's looking down and feeling very proud of his son today.

I am much older than you but I too started thinking seriously about my health and fitness a few years ago when with the space of a few weeks my grandson was born after his father walked out on my daughter during her pregnancy, then my Dad became seriously ill when my grandson was a couple of weeks old and died within another couple of weeks. This focussed me on why I am here on this earth, and how I can improve my own and my familys lives... and being unfit and very overweight helps no one.It took a while to get started on my journey, but now I am proud to say I have lost 2 stone so far, 4 still to go but I'm working on that; and I have graduated on C25K and am getting fitter each week.

Work is now a necessity to pay bills, not a priority in my life - I am only a number or a bum on a seat there - to my family I am important (well I hope so!)

[Twedders Graduate]

What a truly special and emotive blog

Well done in your achievement, you've every right to be proud.

[Caledonia Graduate]

And proud you should be. Very well deserved, and I'm sure your Dad would have been pleased to have been your inspiration.

[didntrunthat Graduate]

Well done I'm sure doing the run for your dad really helped break the 30 mins target and he would be proud.

I didn't realise I could set RunKeeper to give me distance updates as well as time check-in's so I must look into that!

[con-brio Graduate]

What a tear-jerking blog, Ashton (and Poppy). It's not cheesy at all. "Carpe diem" is an ancient saying (seize the day ... don't put off until tomorrow...) , but in this case so apt. Well done .

Keep it up, now.

[SBG356 Graduate]

So touching Ashton and full of emotion. Your brilliant run time is a great way to pay tribute to your dear father.

Very well done and congratulations on graduating! You have every reason to feel proud!

Sue

[karenmac70 Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating, your dad would be so proud of you as I am sure everyone who knows you is along with your online community on here!! I can't think of a better way to pay your respects to your dad than to take control of your health in his honour. Well done and such a fantastic time too. Happy Running.

[HappyRunningFi Graduate]

What a lovely blog, tinged with sadness, but big congratulations to you, your Dad would be so proud of you. Well done.

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

Ashton. I'm old enough to be your mum and I've just lost my mum, leaving dad in a state of advanced dementia. I am sorry for your loss. I truly understand. And yes, running will make a difference to your health and well being. good on you for starting so young!

Your making your Dad proud! Happy Running Delia

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating - you're right to be proud of yourself and I'm sure your dad was looking down and cheering you on. It's a great tribute to him - all credit to you, and sympathy for your loss.

[vixiej Graduate]

well done Ashton, your dad would be proud of you, keep it up. Running is a great way to stay fit and take some time away from the chaos of life and you will reap the rewards of being fitter and healthier later in life.

Happy Running!

[ashton46 Graduate]

Morning everyone.

Some lovely comments left on here, thank you to you all for taking time to leave encouraging messages. And I'd like to think my Dad's up there somewhere cheering me on!

I'm looking forward to my second attempt tonight. 29 mins 45 seconds to beat!

[Olivia78]

Congratulations and condolences.

I too am 34 and have started this programme partly after seeing my parents' health deteriorate as they are in their 60s and (particularly on my father's part) years of eating badly and not exercising have caught up with them. Bless them.

[Souki Graduate]

Congratulations well done, and what a great time. yes I do believe your dad was looking on cheering you through it, proud you should be too,

So many different reasons we have all turned to running, whatever our personal reasons are we are all doing so well xx

I run for my mood and stress levels!! Builders from hell took us for everything and left us in a complete mess, with 3young children and my business not too good it's all down to my lovely other I owe it to him to at least have a sweaty smile on my face

[mmphc Graduate]

Many congratulations, not just for your terrific time, but for keeping going with the running at such a sad time. Your Dad has a son to be proud of and you should be proud of yourself for making a decision to grab life with both hands. Well done.

[hacw]

Many congrats for your time thats brilliant! Well done. Sad an touching blog an im sure your dad was cheering you on, an he will be so proud of you for compleating your challange and also for changing your live style for a long term healther you. I am 33 an thought i must embrace my live and not take every thing for granted an plod on as im getting old quick, the only way is to lookafter your self and apreciate an respect yourself this way when im 80 i can hopefully look back at my life an say, yes i took every opertunity to fully fill my life an hopefully have no regrets. ( easier said than done though). I think when you hit 30 it hits you, 10 years ago you were 20 and in 10 years time youll be 40. An also whe you start finding out your too old to participate in things it sort of slaps you in the face and wakes you up to the fact that lifes tick tocking away.

Well done and keep up the running, may be do a 5km or even a 10km in his memory next year an rasie money for a charity he liked.