It can be done!

[Kathryn1501]

I am on wk 7 & find it unbelievable that I can run for 25 mins. I am 43 years old & around a stone over weight. I haven't run since I last did cross country at school 30 years ago! I found week 1 ok but I was very sore afterwards - everything ached. I started running on a field to help with joint pain especially my ankles. I was sceptical that the plan would work and was very wary of the jumps from 3 to 5 mins running. Even though it was hard work I could feel myself getting fitter. I feel like a 'proper' runner now and can do 25 mins so I'm almost there. My husband can't believe it. He only downloaded up to week 5 for me at first,thinking I'd give up. So glad I've carried on with it and would recommend it for anyone who has never run. After I finish the plan, I'm hoping to go a bit faster and maybe go further and hope that all of the excess weight comes off.

[Coddfish Graduate]

It certainly can be done and glad you are sticking with it. Well done.

[islandrunner Graduate]

Well done !

[old_git Graduate]

Well done Kathryn, nearly there now. Hope you have picked out a nice graduation present for the other half to buy you!

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I'm also hoping for excess weight to come off as a result of all this running. But I think you have to be in it for the long haul. It's a lifestyle change... Congrats on making week 7! And for the next couple of weeks ahead 😤

[Northernspirit Graduate]

Whoop whooop!!! This is when you start believing you will graduate and that you are, indeed, a runner!!! Keep going its so worth it

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Then it must be time now to go out and buy some bright running gear!!! Or if you already have that, maybe a GPS watch or a water belt or -------

[nhs2015 Graduate]

Good on you Katryn. There is hope for me then. I just finished week 5 run 2.

[Kathryn1501]

Thanks for all your comments. I certainly do intend to reward myself when I finish week 9. I have been running in just ordinary leggins & tee shirts with cheapish trainers (with gel insoles). I promised myself proper running gear if I completed it & it looks like I will

[jmparkview Graduate in reply to Kathryn1501]

I started running in ancient trainers, yoga leggings and my son's school tracksuit top - because it had a deep zip up pocket which I could use for my phone. The trainers were binned by the end of week 2 (sore shins). I was so pleased with myself when I managed the 20 minute run that I splashed out on a new top and jacket with a natty internal pocket for my phone to match the leggings. Made me feel like a real runner, and somehow it really helped me stick with the programme till the end. Thank you, Boden (well everything that helped me get there deserves a plug!).

Good luck with the last couple of weeks of the programme. Keep it slow and steady. Once you can do the 30 minutes (relatively) comfortably, you can start working on the pace, which should help shifting the remaining lbs.

[Kathryn1501 in reply to jmparkview]

Thanks, nearly there. I am looking forward to some new gear especially for summer. I am definitely slow and steady but really feeling the benefits. Hopefully the pounds will come off eventually.

[PrincessStef Graduate]

well done. I treated myself to running gear early on so that I had to stick with it . I graduated a couple of weeks ago. Although I have not actually lost any weight I have lost 5 inches form my waist ( I too have a stone I would like to loose). Happy Running you are nearly there.

[Kathryn1501]

Yes, I never really thought I'd do it. I'm not worried about the weight really. Sure it will come off the fitter I get thanks.