The Truth about C25K.............What they don't tell you.

[IannodaTruffe]

Hello, my name is Tim and I am a runaholic.

It all started when I carelessly dabbled with running, buying myself some running shoes and setting off all alone, in the hope of improving my stamina. At the end of that first session I wheezingly realised that I had no idea how long I had run for and had no targets to aim for. So I looked around the internet for advice and discovered C25k. An innocent looking programme that has led to drastic changes in my life....it has turned me into an addict.

Just eight weeks ago I was considering a bit of harmless gentle exercise, now I can't wait for my next fix. I fight the constant cravings to run on a daily basis, to get that rush, despite my aching knees. Laura, the dealer of this addiction, has advised me, in her gently assertive tones, not to overdo it and I now trust her advice to guide me through each trip, keep control of the urges and defer the gratification.

Like any addiction, what you did last trip never satisfies for long and Laura mercilessly plays her part upping the dose each week, challenging your body to what seems like breaking point, only to find that you can take ever more than you could possibly have believed.

My wife has had to put up with weird changes in my behaviour. Where she used to be the first out of bed in the mornings, she now finds that I have sneaked silently out of bed at 5.30 and gone off to satisfy my solitary obsession and find an early morning buzz, in the fields of Devon. She often finds me dripping with sweat, but glowing with smug satisfaction, sticking and stretching my limbs out in odd directions as I bask in the after effects of the event. She doesn't seem to understand, however much I try to explain it all to her.

I had flirted with running at school under the close control of masters but now forty years later, at the age of 57, I have finally succumbed to the lure of shamelessly pursuing the vigour of my youth. Addictions fill voids and vacuums in our lives and I am sure that C25k has irrevocably changed my life forever. I am not alone, the forums on this site are full of similarly afflicted beings who have been drawn into this overwhelming change in their lives, who fill time between hits by advising and consoling one another.

So, be warned, if you overcome the inertia that is keeping you safely on the couch, Mr Potato, you may well be embarked on a slippery slope leading to a steep hill if not an Everest that your addiction will drive you to conquer.

I just completed week 9, run 1....I can now run for 30 minutes and I am over the moon . Thank you to all involved in the C25k scheme for changing my life!

PS. my wife has just started C25K and is going through those painful early days.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Wow IT it only took you 9 weeks to get your wife out there, its nearly 3 years since I took my first trembling steps out of the front door telling a little white lie to hubby that I was just going for a walk!! He's still on the couch and says that's where he's staying, his excuse, the washing machine won't cope with two runners in the family

Well done on getting to week 9, just 2 runs to go, will look forward to hearing all about them.

[Feefbev Graduate]

What a brilliant post. And absolutely spot on. What a wonderful 'addiction' to have! I'm one run behind you - the change in me is immense! Look forward to your graduation run and hopefully another fabulously written post (no pressure!! )

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Hee - great blog! There are many of us c25k addicts around, and the gaps between fixes are indeed difficult to manage Great to hear you've come so far and I shall look forward to your graduation blog!

[Poppy2010 Graduate]

Great post! I confess I am an addict too! I turn Laura on still to keep myself on the straight & narrow; feel so much fitter & healthier; try to run 3 times a week shift work allowing. I recommend this podcast & forum to everyone, have got my daughters & son-in-law & at least 5 workmates doing it (not all at the same time like Aftabs family runs though! ) So wish I'd found this years ago!

[sofaqueen Graduate]

Having gone from never exercising in my 43 years apart from being forced to at school, I now can't wait until the rest day is over so I can go out for my next 'fix'. My friends can't believe it's the same person saying these things! Running is truly amazing, I'm so glad I found couch to 5K.

[edqa233 Graduate]

I'd just started week 2 and have been struck down with some sort of virus so feeling very poorly and nervous that I won't be up to doing my next run. Even if I have to leave it for a few extra days, your post has inspired me to hang on and stick with it, as up until Sunday I was so elated to be getting this far! Mustn't stop now!

[Carolecal]

What a great post ! It's weird how fast the addiction grows

Look forward to hearing your graduation post soon....and maybe also ow your wife is progressing ?

[Carolecal]

.....sorry that should have been "how"...of course !

[OldNed Graduate]

Absolutely right; we're all addicts and loving it. Laura, our dealer, has a lot to answer for (all of it good!). I'm just back from my fix and looking forward to the next one already. Best of luck for your graduation

[pinkhat Graduate]

Great post - I was so addicted during those first nine weeks, over last winter, that I would still run no matter the weather so was out in snow, sleet and rain - and loving it. My addiction has eased slightly in the subsequent six months or so since graduation but only to the extent that I'm content to run 2-3 times a week - and it's not so much that I crave my 'fix', more enjoying the buzz of the delayed gratification that comes at the end of it!

[Albo Graduate]

I totally agree! I started back in May and have completed the course and am now running because I really want to and because amazingly, I can. I haven't yet reached 5k usually 3.8k but to be able to run for 30 minutes non stop is a huge achievement. My husband joined me in during week 4 and now my children have announced they'd like to join in - they are 10 and 12 and usually accompany me on their bikes.

I just had a week off due to a holiday and ran yesterday for the first time. Didn't think I'd make 30 minutes but I did - a hard slog!!

I'm 40 in November and started this as a, 'if I don't do it now I'm not sure I ever will' and I haven't looked back since.

[caro8642]

Taking a break currently, but the urge to get back to running is getting stronger and I think I may crumble any day soon. Well done with dealing with your addiction, I need to get those 'fixes' again, am missing the 'highs'.

[Maturelady Graduate]

Oh how I wish I could have some of all your addiction. I am still finding the longer runs a bit of a struggle. I just give up TOO easily. I was good and ran while on holiday in Portugal but have not persuaded myself out since I came back. I know I feel good when I come back from a run but the thought of being so hot and breathing so hard just fills me with dread. So I wish you could send some addition through to me.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Maturelady]

Hey, Maturelady, I didn't say it was easy.......The longer runs are physically and mentally hard for me, but when I look at where I have come from, I know it is worth the effort to persevere, so that in time 5k will be no more daunting than five minutes would be now. Five minutes continuous running seemed impossible when I first started, but the only person making me do it was me and the only person who was going to stop me was me. I did it and so can you. Look how far you have come already!

[wait-for-me Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Hi Iannoda Truffe,

what a great post and so true.

Sixteen weeks ago I was doing no more exercise than walking the dog now and then. Now I am doing 5kms three times a week (PB 37 mins but hoping to get sub 30 mins by Christmas) and take my jogging stuff in the car all the time, just in case. My next run is always on my mind and it is definately like an addiction.

My son is about to start his gold Duke of Edinburgh and has decided to start the programme as his 'physical' challenge.

Good luck for your graduation!

[Aftabs Graduate]

My name is Aftab, and I am an addict...

I also need to confess that I am well on the way to making my Wife and Dad addicts too.

That is a load off my chest, it's good to share isn't it?

When is out next session?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Tomorrow morning I do W9R2 and looking to improve my time and maybe add a couple of minutes on the end. meanwhile my wife will be doing W2R3 having had some terrible thigh aches after last run, but she is determined and I love her for it. The support on this site is wonderful.

[katee1958 Graduate]

brilliant post, so funny, I am at Week 7 run 1 stage. Physically, similar to you, never did exercise at school, except I am of the female variety, and haven't yet persuaded my husband to join me