Well, goodbye week 2, you weren't as bad as I thought you would be, now I can freak out about running for 3 minutes in week 3 instead!
Had a good run this morning - that's not to say that I found it easy - but I compared my 'running' pace with last Thursday's (according to Runkeeper) and already there is an improvement. I'm not getting quite so out of breath either.
Other benefits - despite not doing any other special exercises I'm finding my flexibility is also increasing - doing up shoelaces/ putting on socks/ bending doing the weeding more easily. I feel generally more healthy, alert and creative, not to mention the feeling of euphoria when I finish each run! Great and unexpected spinoffs, and I hope these side benefits continue.
Someone suggested to me that I put €1 in a pot for every km I run, which I can then spend on buying something new for my running when I graduate. I count the distance I cover in the warm-up and cool-down too, so now I already have €20 stashed! If, no, WHEN I finish the programme I should have a nice little spending spree to celebrate being a real runner!
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jillie100
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Sooooo pleased to read your positive blog and share your happiness!
I'm a few years ahead of you (age-wise) but only a few months running-wise. I too discovered all sorts of amazing side benefits - late developed asthma almost disappeared, overall improved tone for gardening and other tasks around the home, and immense satisfaction upon completing each run!
Since graduating I've continued running and am now addressing my weight problem - pounds coming off ... very, very slowly
What a great idea to save for a special graduation pressie! I graduated in time to coincide with my first pension payment ... so spent it on a Garmin runners watch (I'd survived the entire programme with an old MP3 player and a wristwatch, and no idea about distances covered! LOL ) - what fun!
Lots of luck with your future runs. Keep blogging and let us know about your progress. Cheers, Linda
Hi Linda, I see you began C25K in February - I admire you, not sure I could have motivated myself to get out of the door in the dark and cold of winter!
Well done on sticking with it. graduating and going beyond. I hope I manage to keep going too. Thanks for your encouragement!
I too loved the immediate benefits & changes I saw from the earlier weeks - flexibility was the main one, also being able to run up the stairs 2 at a time now.
As for W3 - well, I don't think there has ever been a single week where I haven't looked at it and thought 'yeah right Laura - you're having a laugh' - but then surprised myself and nailed the runs.
You might not feel it, but your body is physically ready & this is all about convincing your mind that you can do it ... then just go out and do it anyway.. you will be surprised too.
So now when I doubt myself at the end of each week I'll not only have to say to myself 'Laura says I can do it' but 'Matthew says I can do it' too! Thanks for the encouragement!
Well done you I'm looking forward to finishing my repeat of week 1 tomorrow and will be starting week 2 on Monday. It's nice to read that it is do-able - you've given me inspiration
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Unexpected side effect of running!
Week 2 done, gettinthere.
Week 4, Take 2, Done! ✔ 
W1 Run 3 Done! Roll on week 2
Week 8 run 2 done 😅😅
