Today was the one year anniversary of me starting C25K W1R1, so I decided I'd go for a run to celebrate
During my run I reflected on the last year and some of my personal achievements.
12 months ago I struggled to run for 1 min and worried about being seen outside, today I ran for 90 mins (15K) and didn't care if I was seen, although we all know that most people don't even notice you when your out, except other runners that is.
My mind worked out different ways to compare today's run and what I had achieved. One that struck me was that today's run was 90 times longer (no stop) than a year ago.
My mind considered the 5x50 challenge I'd done this year and the fact that TJ was finishing her 100 day challenge today and her kind words in the early days of this journey.
On that note of friendly people, there are so many that have offered friendship, advice and challenges, I was going to mention you by name but then I would be mortified if I missed someone! You all know who you are
I have lost 2.5 Stone in weight in that time, although I worked out that you actually need to eat less although running helps, I needed to learn to change what I ate.
So many highs and lows over the year, but reflecting on a question from the blogs the other day "Do you actually enjoy running" the answer, hell yeah, I can honestly say that if running hadn't struck a chord with me, then I wouldn't be here today waxing lyrical about running.
And finally I love watching people finding their inner runner on this forum.
Thanks to everyone and if your new to all this, I didn't believe I'd become the runner I am today when I read the blogs with the little green badges a year a go, but if this couch potato can do it, everyone can.
Hi Phil72. I loved reading your blog because there are times I wonder what on earth am I doing even contemplating doing this. I'm still waiting to feel a sense of enjoyment but blogs like yours do help hugely to keep we newbies focused that one day we too may be able to do it. Thank you!
You will Beek, you will. Am 3 stone overweight, but it is crumbling away..... Thought week 1 was hard, and here I am starting Week 6 tomorrow and in 30 degrees at 5 am !!!!
Well done Phil - a year is quite an achievement. It's a pity we have to eat less as well as run to lose weight isn't it! That's one of my recent discoveries (was it you who referred to a long run as food tokens?)
One thing I notice is that I still can't believe at the beginning of a run that I can really do 5km. On the upside that means that I'm always ridiculously pleased with myself when I do (like yesterday, after 10 days off). However, I also feel a bit "stuck" so maybe over the summer I will have to think about longer distances. That's something I know you've done very successfully.
It's also been great making so many new "cyber friends" over the past month - now there are people I miss if we don't hear from them for a while, such is the supportive atmosphere here. Here's to your next running year!
Food tokens definately, I love long run days when I can have what I want, it is still generally quite healthy, just a little extra or a treat . Today was a couplof f scoops of ice cream (ok not that healthy), but sometimes it's just a bowl of sultana bran for pudding.
I think when you start training for longer distances, that you'll just realise that you can run further than you think and currently run, but you have to hold back so you don't end up injuring yourself.
Brilliant blog, Phil. What a journey over a year! I love the phrase 'discovering their inner runner'. I suppose that's what I have done over the last six months or so - who'd have known I had an inner runner? It was certainly very well hidden!
Carry on running - I wonder how far you'll be running this time next year?
Lovely to hear from a C25K 1st anniversary runner. Oh, how I wish I'd known about the scheme before February this year. It is sooooo good to hear from you and others for whom the running bug has really bitten. All the very best for your running future, you are another inspiration to newbies ... and with a reality check about weight loss too ... Yes, I've taken it on board and my food intake and variety is now changing week by week. Look forward to next year for your update on C25K +2. Cheers, Linda
It took me a while to tackle the diet after I got into the running.
But for me, one step at a time is best, as I'm more likely to stick to it, if I try everything at once, then i'm far more likely to fall off the wagon totally
Fab blog...it's amazing what we all achieve in a year and I love going back and reading mine. Helps with the slumps!
I too know about the need to reduce food intake to lose weight and managed it for a while last year when I lost a stone. However really struggling at the mo and post holiday 6 June there is going to be a new me...diet under control and a focused running plan to increase speed. Thanks for an inspiring log
You were the very first person to encourage me to run last July, so you are very special to me. If you hadn't answered my post, I wouldn't be running for almost an hour 10 months on
Thanks Phil, thanks for inspiring me and others and... keep on running, delia xox
Happy anniversary Phil!! What a journey, not just with the running but also the weight loss, brilliant!!
3 more months and I will be celebrating too....how time flies when you are having fun and what fun we are all having!! Lots of friends made and lots of kms covered!
Hey we could have anniversary parties every month!! Mine is August but not 1 year, nor 2 but 3 years ago on 31 August I plucked up the courage to open the front door and run for the first time. I laugh now cos I didn't even tell hubby what I was doing.
Great blog Phil, touching chords with many of us I suspect. Like Oldgirl I didn't tell Mrs OldNed until a couple of weeks after i'd started. We've, all of us, discovered our inner runner and i suspect we'll never go back to how we were. it's great to see so many people taking the same journey.
An amazing difference in you Phil. When you posted your "now" photo a few weeks ago I didn't realise it was you. Now look at you - 15k and I bet you hardly broke sweat.
Well done. I don't really like the term 'inspiration' but if anything will truly inspire our new members to try the programme and stick in there, it's stories like yours.
I hope you continue to enjoy running over many, many more anniversaries to come.
Cheers Malcy, I agree about telling our stories, for one it shows it's possible to others and it also reduces the risk of boring non running friends and family
Oh, I so needed to read something like this this morning. And wow! 15km in 90 minutes, that's awesome. I can't imagine running for that long. Congratulations on your year anniversary, hope I can write something on my year anniversary (a very long way away yet!)
That's brilliant - such a long way to have come. Congratulations. I remember when I graduated you responding that you loved people's graduation blogs and I thought that was great. May you have many happy runs ahead.
Well done. This time last yr was when I just started too. Wish I'd.remembered the exact date!I'm just restarting after having time out. This time I know I can do it and in a year's time maybe I'll be doing 10k. Can't imagine ever doing 15! Lovley blog post btw
Briliant stuff, Phil. This is inspiring and sums up what I know a lot of us feel. It is truly amazing to think that all of 12 months have passed and you are now where you are. You have given me not just encouragement and support but also ideas for how to organise my runs and plan for and motivate myself to try things in a different way. So. Cheers to you snd good luck with the prep for the HM in August. James
Wow! Fab blog Phil and what a journey and what progress. You are now running 90 times further than your first run? When you put it like that it's insane in such a short time!!
Your story will resonate with so many on here, I know it does with me! I love the idea of us discovering our inner runners! Many people start C25K for practical reasons, to lose weight or to get fitter rather than for the joy of running itself and one by one it changes our mindset, as we find a pure pleasure from running. I think that's really special.
What a great blog Phil; gosh was it really a year ago? Time flies by. Sadly, all of my original blogs when I first started out were on the old site and they can't be accessed anymore. It's sad because I would have loved to read them again. It's good to reflect on how far you've come...and just think what's in the future!
Isn't it great Phil, one year on and reflecting back on where we all were.
I did start 5k to get me out the house after a difficult few months. Since then I have competed 2 race for life's for cancer research improving my time for 5k from 36 to 32 mins this sunday.
My favourite is distance though. I could not do your distance, but not too bad doing 9-12k couple of times a week.
Running makes me feel so good both for mind and body.
My only downfall, I gained 14lbs not lost a thing!
Thanks for the comment, if you're running 9-12K, then you can definately run a little further have you noticed that the first couple of K and last couple of K are the hardest, won't belong before your running further
Thanks for this: running has changed my life, but I am not as far into the journey as you are, and you're an inspiration! One year on, I hope to be where you are. I am in the ballot for the Olympics anniversary run in July (8k), so fingers crossed, that'll be my next achievement!
Hey Phil! Great blog man! it feels great to think that you've been running for a year and how much has changed in that year; not just physically but mentally too!
My year anniversary was 24th Apr where I went out for a less than steller 5k run to celebrate but it was a Wednesday before work, but like you, I went from W1R1 where I could only complete 6 of the 8 60second runs right up to 11k runs. I dropped nearly 2stone and went from that typical couch potato to a runner. That's my biggest realisation!
Well done and here's to next year when you post about your second year! Good work.
Happy anniversary! I am another newbie and you have motivated me too, especially to be more careful about what I eat. All the best for your next year of running!
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although running helps, I needed to learn to change what I ate. 
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