So here it is folks, the Challenger Blog that has been sent over to the 5x50 website to be included on their web page and/or newsletter 
I had a nice reply saying it was an amazing effort by us all and that it had been forwarded to Kelly at 5x50 who will no doubt include it in their newsletters so fingers crossed everyone that our hard work and efforts will be recognised and we will get a special mention! I think we all deserve it dont you, both those participating and those cheering us on?! 
I will post the link as soon as I see it appear so everyone can bask in their 15 mins of fame!
Sue
Our International Team Rocks!!
You may have heard of the NHS Couch to 5K (C25K) running plan on the NHS website…..but then again maybe not; it doesn’t seem to get a lot of PR on the outside world which is a real shame. So, if it is news to you then read on and be amazed at the plan and the 5x50 Challenger Team!
It is a brilliant nine week program that gets you off the couch and running three times a week starting with one minute runs with walking intervals and ending with a full thirty minute run and a virtual ‘Graduation Badge’ to honour your success; as good as any real winner’s medal in my eyes and we are so proud to “wear” it! It is a plan that really does work, but what makes it absolutely amazing and very unique is the wonderful community on the forum made up of new and intermediate runners as well as Graduates that offer continual support, encouragement, motivation and advice. Never critical or negative; never condescending or sarcastic; no rivalry or competitiveness; just positive, upbeat and friendly help. Simple.
So because of that, many of us have become friends as we share our journeys together from all parts of the globe with a common aim – to run, to enjoy running and to keep running! So much so that when a few mentioned joining this year’s 5x50 challenge, spurred on by a veteran from last year’s challenge and a very intrepid member carrying out her own 100 day challenge (yes, really!) we decided to create our own Challenger Team. It started with just a handful of members and as we approached the final week before the challenge started we had 26. After a big recruitment drive we grew within that week to 71 members, 62 of which are tracking activity! Last year there were just three from the forum. What an increase! What a result! What a Team!!
Our wonderful Team, NHS Couch to 5K(C25K) 5x50.co.uk/team/nhs-couch-t... consists of all levels of runners, graduates and those still working towards graduation; all ages including many in their fifties and some in their sixties; from different parts of the world including the UK, Italy, Belgium and the USA. When someone is struggling we are there to help pick them up. When they are feeling negative we offer the positive. Our daily postings on the forum of what we are doing, how we are mixing up the activities, how we are progressing and improving, the humorous take on it and the times we don’t give up despite hurting are a constant source of inspiration to us all. Without this team spirit and the unwavering support of those of the community not able to take part but still waving their virtual pom-poms, many of us would have by now fallen by the wayside. A big Thank You to all!
We have a marvellous Techie (Malcy, please take a bow!) who has blown us away with creating data spreadsheets that capture our tracking from the website on a daily basis, updated every hour and loaded into stats, graphs and charts showing averages and total distances, splits between activity types for every single member plus instant links to their page on the website. It is our unique and special toy but we are happy to share it here mmcinteractive.com/5x50/ind... It is a brilliant tool that has also helped keep us motivated from day one. But you know what is even more brilliant? Drum roll please……………………..
As at day 30 we have collectively broken the 11,200 km barrier averaging 180kms per member or 6kms per day! That is from London to Buenos Aires. That is 3 ½ times north to south of Australia. That is once around the moon. That is incredible!
We don’t like to brag, but you know what, we have every reason to brag! We are the biggest challenger team with active members tracking this year! I am sure we are the most international team and what is more our NHS C25K Team rocks!!
Let’s see what we have achieved by day 50….bring it on!
To find out more about the plan visit nhs.uk/LiveWell/c25k/Pages/...
Jantastic 2014 - NHS Couch to 5K Team - Week 11
