I've just realized this morning that we are now into September, so yesterday was my 3rd anniversary of running.
At the beginning of August 3 years ago I down loaded NHS C25K Podcasts 1,2 & 3 and listened one evening to the first week just to hear what it was all about. Liked the sound of Laura's voice which was a big bonus. But then I chickened out and forgot about it. A couple of weeks later I missed my bus, simply because I couldn't run for it and there wouldn't be another for 30 minutes 
Now that's not acceptable for any able bodied person in my opinion, so it really was time to do something about my health and fitness.
Two days later it was a beautiful evening, 31st August so I went and put on my trainers, a loose fitting T shirt and some jogging bottoms, said to hubby, "I'm off out for a walk, won't be too long" and away I went with Laura telling me just what to do and when, simples 
OMG that first run nearly killed me, my asthma kicked in after about the 3rd session of running, but I'm what we call up here in Scotland 'thrawn' to translate 'stubborn' and kept on going. Now I had not given a route any thought whatsoever and found myself a good 10 minutes walk from home by the last 60 seconds had finished which was quite good, it would give me time to get my breathing sorted and arrive home looking a bit less puce!!! That first run was nearly my last I can tell you, who in their right mind wants to end up gasping for breath, have achy legs, sweating like sieve and to cap it all have to repeat it 2 more times in one week!?! I DO 
Told you I was thrawn.
It was the start of week 3 before I told my hubby I was learning to run, he took me into town and bought me some running gear as part of my birthday present (60th) which was the next week. Son number 2 was told and he duly arrived with running gear for said birthday. Well that clinched it, I couldn't stop now even if I wanted too, but I didn't, I looked forward to each and every new week, loving the challenge knowing I had worked hard and would rise to it. Don't get me wrong, some runs were hard, darn hard, some just sailed by as if I was on a cloud. Do you know I think I was on a cloud, cloud 9, it was such a wonderful feeling completing those runs, I had done it all, it was my achievement, and I was proud of myself for the first time in years, I walked more upright holding my head and shoulders straighter, I felt better than I had in over 10 years. I completed C25K in the 9 weeks, didn't miss a run, every other day, it was easy to fit in for me as I was retired now and enjoying retirement which I had not been looking forward to.
Hubby and I were going away to Cape Verde Islands for Christmas & New Year, running gear was packed, I was now running 5-6K every time I went out. Then on 2nd January I woke and could not walk, sciatica had struck me for the second time, the first I had a few years back but it was nothing compared with this, I couldn't walk hardly. I struggled for the last 3 days of our holiday the pain getting worse each day, I swam in the pool hoping it would help, but nothing seemed to work. The journey home was a nightmare, I was by now in a wheelchair, popping pain killers like smarties. Home and doc said I had what they sometimes term as 'full blown sciatica' it would take weeks to get better, he was not wrong. Strong tablets and rest with very gentle movements was all I could do, it took 6 weeks before I could walk properly and that was using a stick!! Once I was mobile again though there was no stopping me, I went back swimming, then aqua gym, then walking and increased it to brisk walking. Then after 3 long months and checking with doc set out for another go at NHS C25K, would I be able to complete it, I had to have faith in my own abilities, seems I did.
I was on week 7 when by accident I discovered this wonderful site, I had almost finished C25K for the second time but now I could speak about my journey, my runs with other like minded people who very quickly became my friends.
I'm still running 3 times a week, I've had the odd spell off for injuries, sciatica flares now and again but thankfully nothing as bad as before. I'm not a fast runner, my maximum distance is 10K in 1:06:20 my 5K times are usually around the 32 minutes which I'm very happy with. I love my running, I have to listen to my body or it does rebel and causes me pain so there is no point in me pushing beyond a sensible limit.
So that's my 3 years running to date, sorry if I've bored you, thanks for reading all my waffle if you've got to the end, and here's my Garmin stats for this morning's run.
Happy running everyone I do hope you enjoy it as much as I do, stay safe out there as the nights draw in
Whoope, whoop whoop and yippee!! I've done it week 9 Run 3!!!! 
W5R3 - I only went and did it!!!
Oh by the way... I ran 5K yesterday!
Oh wow, I did it! I graduated today!
