Blog: Today made me realise that we here on this... - Couch to 5K

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ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate
45 Replies

Today made me realise that we here on this delicious blog are kindred spirits...we respect one another, look out for one another, and are there for each other when we need to be....we are all from totally different walks of life, but it really doesn't matter because we all have one thing in common...our passion for running, and thats all we need to know....

I just wanted to say thank you all...for being so supportive, and for having something that has no hierarchy or class or boundaries....totally liberating....

Sorry... Adding a bit: I was brought up by my mum... She was a feminist then and I spent my childhood going on marches for CND and I've been to greenham common and let off a balloon age 12 wearing pink leg warmers... Then I was de-schooled... But one thing I've learnt is that it's about people... And social movement... Quietly and with stealth... Like us here... I think we are pretty powerful :)

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ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-
Graduate
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45 Replies
Rockette profile image
Rockette

Hear hear juicy ju

Well said. I feel very privileged to be a part of this community. Best wishes.

Doodle1 profile image
Doodle1Graduate

Well said. I couldn't agree more.

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70

Well said Juicyju! :) this is my first online forum and i really enjoy seeing how everyone is doing, and there a positivity and feel-good factor that you don't get very often in everyday life. :)

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to aliboo70

thats so true, its made me believe in people again...

grannyjudes profile image
grannyjudesGraduate

I agree an enormously helpful and friendly site, I love it

kickibro profile image
kickibroGraduate

I feel sorry for people like that but we cannot let it taint us. Aren't we fabulous? ! :)

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to kickibro

we so are ... :) :)

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

KittyKat you are just amazing... Wise words... X

We are amazing yes, but some on here are made more amazing just because of who they are and that comes through in their words and feelings on here.

This place shows we can all learn how to run and then do so much more besides. And we can find something inside all of us which is so strong that we can overcome our fears and doubts and become stronger people because of it.

Above all else, we help, we listen and we then support each other to go onto much better things and along the way some people might kick off and have a few wobbles, but it's this group which keeps us strong.

Hopes, fears and dreams. I say share then all.

Happy running.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to

well said matthewW, good to see you back again. We all have wobbles at times and its definately this group that is there to pick us back up again.....I hope your triathalon training is going well???

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

I too love this site, everyone is so friendly and supportive. I think that's why I asked that poster if it was an attempt at tongue in cheek humour , (although it was over the top ) I just found it hard to believe that someone on here could be so deliberately malicious when all Ive encountered on here is positivity and encouragement . Anyway, normal service is resumed , and yes we are fabulous ! :-)) xxx

seenthelight profile image
seenthelightGraduate in reply to poppypug

I have to say I thought it was tongue in cheek to start with but it did seem to take a wrong turn along the way. Not nice.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to poppypug

I wondered that too, but then some people get off on others' reactions....

in reply to poppypug

Some sort of mental instability I reckon - normal people don't behave maliciously. Be nice if he was banned from the site altogether. Cheers.

seenthelight profile image
seenthelightGraduate

Well said juicyju. This forum and all the wholehearted support has made all the difference to me achieving what I have so far. It is a wonderful mix of people and while I would never deny anyone their right to express an opinion I did have a concern that all has not been as it seemed.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to seenthelight

well said...I totally agree...

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerGraduate

Oooooh - have just been catching up on the day's posts. Would like you to know that "push that body, punish that body" often gets me through a tough patch - so you keep on panthering. Linda

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to ancientrunner

Oh I'm so glad.... I use it alot especially near the end of a long run....and thankyou :)

paul2014 profile image
paul2014Graduate

Here, here. Great community and people and long may it continue :)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Yeah, go us!

Azores profile image
AzoresGraduate

Absolutely agree - fantastic forum. It Really makes a difference to me knowing that other people are facing the same sort of challenges.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to Azores

It so does....its got me through so many tough spots in my running...and in my life!!

Tintin1 profile image
Tintin1Graduate

Wholeheartedly agree Juicyju, a great site made extra special by brilliant and regular posters like you. Personal thanks for your many wise words and encouragement. Keep panthering, keep smiling, keep running and keep up the cheeky naughtiness too!

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to Tintin1

aww thankyou.....and I will.....!!!!

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

....and that baby panther is just the cutest little thing ever....thank you so much :) :) :)

Carolecal profile image
Carolecal

This is a great online community and on the day I first discovered this and C25K I was completely blown away by the amazing ,supportive and helpful community here.

It goes a massive way to spur people on through the programme and beyond,there is always someone here with encouragement and advice,a virtual pat on the back and even a hug :)

I briefly dipped a toe into another online forum recently ( also under the HealthUnlocked banner) but despite some sound advice and some nice people commenting,it was surprisingly poorly managed (in my opinion )with spam aplenty and some downright nastiness....so I decided it wasn't for me.

The administrators do a great job on here

C25K was my first online forum....and it set the standard .

Happy new week you lovely people...and Happy Running :) x

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to Carolecal

Well said....I totally agree...there is alot of background work that goes into making this so successful, and Realfoodieclub and Olsbean do a fabulous job of that....Very interesting your experience on a different forum.... Have a great day... :)

Carolecal profile image
Carolecal in reply to ju-ju-

Cheers Ju...was just about to edit my reply and say " Keep up the fab posts PantherGirl ...we do love 'em "...but in a rush to get ready and out for a run ..already late and forgot that bit ..duh !

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate

I'm a massive fan of this forum as well and I too would like to thank the administrators on their superb work keeping this a safe and positive place. There's enough negativity in this world and plenty of places to find it if you want to but three cheers for the people on here who encourage, support and stay positive.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to danzargo

here here Dan....well said, we are a nice bunch aren't we??

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate

Very well said, JuJu; couldn't agree more. I love being part of Club C25K; it,s inspiring, motivational and extremely friendly. It's a privilege and honour to be part of such a community. When I graduate I'll be sticking around and staying just as active here, to help others starting out on their C25K journey. It's not an easy thing to start, this plan, so just getting on with it initially is a huge achievement, but with the help of people here, it gets a little easier, and it's good to be a part of that. Happy running, one and all. :-)

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder

I agree, and its great to have you in the group, you write so well too....I have stuck here and i don't intend to go, once I run my first ultra I will still be blogging, telling my tale, and hopefully in a way that is supportive. You are doing really well, keep up the good work :)

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate in reply to ju-ju-

*blushes* Thank you very kindly, JuJu! :-) I'm glad you stuck around too; your posts are always an inspiration! An ultra, what an achievement that will be! Have you set your sights on any particular ultra? It's great to have goals like that. My (very!) long-term goal is to do a marathon. I've chosen the French Riviera Marathon as my first; it's held in November but this year is totally out of the question, obviously, so perhaps next year, or more likely the year after, 2016, as it coincides with 10K Great Ethiopian Run which I'd like to do next year. I'll see how things go.

Thanks once again; it's really great to have the support of everyone here! :-)

PastyMan profile image
PastyManGraduate

Just over 2 years on from graduating I still regularly browse this forum.

I think it's for any number of reasons

- I like the stories of people of all shapes and sizes achieving something that they (and I) didn't realise they could do

- I like the humour and self confessed daftness that we recognise about ourselves

- I like the jaw dropping, stunning achievments where people run distances and times that were unimaginable before starting the programme

- I like hearing about the routes, weather and challenges for different folks around the country and beyond

- I like the tips and wrinkles that people contribute just to help strangers in the same position

- It keeps me motivated and interested to keep up my own running (3/4 times a week mostly 5k occasional 10k)

- If I can lend a helping hand with a comment or advice then I like that too

Keep it up folks! :-)

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to PastyMan

you put it perfectly Pastyman, I love it that you recognise the daftness because thats definately me, I could never go on a hard core serious running blog...... :)

Well said, juicyju!

I graduated two years ago and found huge encouragement and helpful advice from everyone on here.

I re-started the programme again after a two year absence due to a dodgy back. When I finished my first Week 1 Run 1 (again) I realised that a huge part of completing this programme is that same encouragement from fellow runners either in the same boat or who have travelled the same journey! When I returned to the forum I was so happy to see that same level of support was still here after all this time.

I couldn't have completed the runs all by myself (willpower is not my strong point) and I know that this forum will help me through the second time as well.

We are not all health professionals or fitness instructors but we are all capable of offering a 'well done' or a 'keep going, don't give up' and a gentle nudge in the right direction. In a running world that is alien and scary to many new starters that encouragement en-masse can take us to times and distances that we never even envisaged when we started nine weeks previously.

Well done everyone and keep up the good work!

no-excuse profile image
no-excuseGraduate

I think everyone above has said things so perfectly. This forum is fantastic and without it I know I would have given up after a couple of weeks. I don't have Facebook and this is the only forum I use. I enjoy reading yours and other's posts, no-one goes unanswered, and there is inspiration and motivation and support by the bucketload. A few weeks ago I nearly didn't get up for my second Parkrun, but I thought back to the day before when Danzargo and Fitmo had said 'enjoy your Parkrun tomorrow' and got up and did it. I just couldn't not do it after that, they had taken the time to reply to my post, I couldn't let them down! So thanks everyone, keep up the good work. All for one and one for all! x

caj62 profile image
caj62Graduate

So true Juicy. I reckon we could take on the world if we needed to!

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

Aw shucks, thanks for the nice comments. I love this site, i was so proud when they asked me to volunteer as administrator. I am more than happy to spend my spare time here as it's one of the friendliest places I have found online. Go us I say.

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate

How lovely you all are. Not only am I now addicted to running but I am totally hooked on his site too! I love to hear about people's achievement, share your triumphs and commiserate when you are struggling. I always run alone but am part of this great virtual team and often wonder who else is out there running when I am. Long may it last

Latte_Lady profile image
Latte_LadyGraduate

I don't think I would ever have completed C25K without this wonderful forum. Being mid fifties, size 18/20 and not particularly fit, not only was this a big physical challenge but I had to take my courage in both hands to get outside in lycra! The support, encouragement and advice from this site has been wonderful and I hope everyone will continue to share their experiences as well as tips on cheap running gear and sports bras! Happy running!

At a time (back in weeks 4 and 5) when I was waiting and worrying for test results relating to a potentially life threatening illness it was C25K and this site that kept me going. Can't say more than that. Best wishes.

waletta profile image
walettaGraduate

Blinking 'eck. It's been all go here hasn't it. I can no longer keep up with all the posts & have to dip in & out. (too much computer work not good for the migraines). I am so grateful for the encouragement whilst completing the course, the encouragement since & the fun & tips all the way along. I don't think I would be running now if it weren't for you folk. I just couldn't give up with you on my side. You are just so inspirational.

stevo216 profile image
stevo216Graduate

I would definitely not have got through this with just Laura, lovely though she is. At critical times like wk 5 run 3 and wk 6 run 3 when belief was lacking the encouragement on here was invaluable. Mind you if I had spent as much time running as I have reading about it recently I would be able to run a marathon by now!

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