My first runniversary - encouragement for new ... - Couch to 5K

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My first runniversary - encouragement for new C25Kers

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate
23 Replies

This day last year, 5 days after my 58th birthday, I ventured nervously out to do W1D1, and I remember all too well how much of a challenge those 60 second runs were!

Since then, I've done 220 runs. Since I bought a Garmin at the beginning of March (the start of week 6) I've run 1,373Km.

I graduated at the end of March, In June, I ran my first race, a local 10K, that I completed in 1:04:37

In August, I ran in a 5 mile race organised by the running club I now belong to. 48:21

In September, I squeezed another 10K race into the training I was doing for the Oxford Half Marathon. I was pleasantly surprised to go sub-60 for the first time - 59:25!

In October I ran the Oxford Half Marathon, and was delighted not only to finish it without walking any, but also at my time of 2:12:25

After that I joined a running club and have had a great time running with them.

In December I ran the QE London Olympic Park 10K in 57:57.

This weekend, it's the London Winter Run 10K, when I'm hoping to meet lots of fellow C25Kers.

I'm training now for the North London Half in March, where the finish line is inside Wembley Stadium.

When you think running is too tough, and that you can't hack it, slow down, believe in yourself, and just keep running. The more you run, the better you'll become, and remember all the time that the only person you're competing with is yourself. Don't be put off by other people that are faster than you, or run huge distances, just focus on doing the best you can do. Running is a fantastic thing, and gives so much in terms of physical and mental health, as well as the social aspect of it.

Here's to many more years of running!

Today's run was an easy 5K jog (part of my training) - connect.garmin.com/modern/a...

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Steve_L profile image
Steve_L
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23 Replies
misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Yep you just have to break things down into manageable, bite sized pieces.

Congrats on your runniversary!!!!! How the time flies. I'm 58 too and like you I thought I'd never get myself fit. I had to go from fat to fit too but so glad I did

We all have inner reserves, we just have to dig deep sometimes to find them.

I ran 5k today as well Steve. We can't stop now we've started. Good though ey

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to misswobble

I saw your 5K - a good solid fast run - well done!

bunty65 profile image
bunty65Graduate

Wow happy runniversary Steve and thank you so much for the encouragement. I'm on week 2 run 3 tomorrow and finding it far from easy thinking that maybe 50 was a bit late to start but I feel totally inspired by your achievements.

Best of luck for the North London Half and may you long continue to enjoy your runs.

AdamB profile image
AdamBGraduate in reply to bunty65

At 50 you are a positive youngster compared to several of us round here. I was over 60 before I thought about this running lark.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Well done Steve. As we all know, it is never to late and so worthwhile.

Keep running, keep smiling.

Usain_Balti profile image
Usain_BaltiGraduate

Congratulations on your Runniversary Steve, you're a credit to C25K. I'm hoping to get back into it when my Sports Injury Specialist / Chiropractor's sorted me out i.e. finished beating the cr@p out of me!

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to Usain_Balti

Good luck with that, Phil!

5kOrBust profile image
5kOrBustGraduate

Happy Runniversary Steve, see you in the Chandos on Sunday post-race?

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to 5kOrBust

Certainly hope so!

rmnsuk profile image
rmnsukGraduate

"an easy 5K jog"

It probably sounds impossible for those of you still struggling to get to grips with Laura, but it does get easier as you go through the weeks. Well done Steve you've come a long way in a year - 1378km :)

Good luck with the London Winter Run.

AdamB profile image
AdamBGraduate

Nice one, Steve. Happy runniversary. I think you can definitely say that you've caught the running bug. I see you've got the London Winter Run next and a half marathon planned in for March. What are you thinking about beyond that?

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to AdamB

Town and Gown 10K in May, and at least two more halves. I'll probably repeat most of the races I did this year, too. Depending on how this year goes, I'm finding myself contemplating what I thought was impossible for me - maybe a marathon in 2017.

I've started going on the long weekend runs with the club. The last three sundays have been 11.5, 14 and 12 miles.

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Absolutely fantastic Steve !

Happy Runniversary to you , you have packed so much into your first year and you got married too ! :-)

Well done , what a brilliant testament to this amazing programme .

Have a great time on Sunday :-)

PS: Have you heard anything from Dunder at all ? xxx

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to poppypug

Thanks, PP! No, I've found myself wondering what's happened to our Dunder.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

Congratulations Steve. You've achieved a lot in the year but then again you've put in the hard work to get there!

AvatheGardener profile image
AvatheGardenerGraduate

Thanks for sharing your runniversary and all your achievements- I'm very impressed. I'm also heartened by your encouraging words, thank you 😀

Running-scared profile image
Running-scaredGraduate

Fantastic achievement and so inspirational, good on you! I'm reading after completing week 3 tonight, totally exhausted from the 3 minute runs... Reading this gives me hope, thanks for sharing! 😀

dagshar profile image
dagsharGraduate

Congratulations! See you Sunday!

PumpKim profile image
PumpKimGraduate

Thank you for the inspiration x

Anna_ginge profile image
Anna_gingeGraduate

This is a fab encouragement thanks. I did couch to 5K last Nov/Dec and ran my first 5K in Dec (fun run). I must admit I got very lax over Christmas and have only just got into it again. I ran a PB tonight of 29.19 5K. I have signed up for a 10K in April I hope I will be ready. Should I work towards a time for 10K or just run it without stopping?

Ps. How do I become a graduate?

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to Anna_ginge

That's a fast 5K for a new graduate - well done! April's a decent distance away to prepare for a 10K race. I'd play it by ear; don't put too much pressure on yourself by too ambitious a time target. See how you go building up to 10K. It's not that hard a distance, I found it was more a matter of finding a pace that you can easily sustain and just relax into it to start with. I ran my first 10K a week after graduating.

As to getting your graduate tag, go here: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate

Happy runniversary! Time flies... And apparently, so do you. That's an impressive mileage you've clocked up there...

nhs2015 profile image
nhs2015Graduate

Happy runniversary Steve xxxxxxx

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