Hi guys - just wondering about the different reasons why we're all here...you know, besides the health benefits - what are the other stories, why are you here, doing this? I'll tell you my story if you tell me yours....mine's a secret though so be careful who's reading over your shoulder...my daughter's not there is she? Because it's a secret from her and the story goes like this...after many years of talking about it my daughter and I are finally going to New York (for her 30th birthday) and my daughter, being a bit of a fitness freak nowadays, (having herself been a bit couchy-potatoeey during her uni time - she's since climbed Mt Kilimanjaro and just completed the London Marathon - 5hrs 25 mins) - she said she wanted to add a run in Central Park to her run list. Well, when I was telling my bestie about this she got all excited and suddenly came out with 'I know what you should do - you secretly learn to run and then on the day she's supposed to do the Central Park run say - yeah, I fancy doing that too!' Believe me those words coming out my mouth will probably floor her 
because I'm 54 and these days go from my bed to the car, then to the office chair and back to car, then either sofa of standing in the kitchen making celebration cakes.....soooooo, a plan was hatched, a secret facebook support group was assembled and here I am at week 5 - having almost decided after Week One, Day One (when I could only manage FORTY SECONDS of running) that this running malarkey was way beyond me! At some point in Week 4 I actually realised I was running AND smiling and had that eureka moment - I was actually enjoying it - wowzer! So now, despite some annoying hip pain I can't wait to get my 5k under my belt and for the big reveal! So, come on, what are your stories, love to hear them?
Why are we doing this.....?: Hi guys - just... - Couch to 5K
Why are we doing this.....?
Hi that will be a great surprise, i started because i wanted to get fit and do something other than just work have kids cook clean and repeat but have found that running has made my whole outlook on things a lot more positive, there is no way 8 weeks ago when i started i would of believed i would be out at 6.30 am on a Sunday morning enjoying a run but that's exactly what i did yesterday morning and i enjoyed it so much i ended up making the cool down walk an hour long one,also i am getting out for more walks because of the running getting me off the couch in the first place so overall it has been a great positive change in my life and hopefully it will continue to be so.
Steve
yeah, I know what you mean..when I started I was honestly convinced I'd never either, do it, or enjoy it and now I think I'm going to be able to achieve both - so glad it's working out for you too! I might post a piccie of the 'reveal face' and our run.... x
Ha ha - what a great story - she will be really impressed!
Quite a few of us started in secret out of sheer embarrassment - bet you can't wait to see her face!
Thanks Ullyrunner - yes, the secret thing would have been there either ways I think...yep, sheer embarrassment - I started doing it even in secret from the hubby - would jump out of bed after he'd left the house for work at 6.30 then I'd be out the door at 7am! It was a nightmare hiding all my kit and getting is washed and dried in those weeks...I just needed to know I was going to 'carry on' before I let him in on it! x
i'm doing this for my daughter too, nothing as exciting as your reasons though just so I can chase after her at the park instead of finding the nearest bench I can. She thinks mummy is very boring as I don't join in as much in all the physical things as I'm so unfit. Hoping the further along the programme I go the more fun I'll have with my daughter
Sounds like a great reason to me Shelliemac - I need to do this for my granddaughter too (from my son) as she's 18 months old now and a proper whiz on those indoor play areas where you have to climb up steps and ladders and ropes and over things and under things and slide down weird slides - eeeks - I need to be fit to keep up with her - keep having fun out there with your little one xx
Awww, that's so lovely! I bet that's really motivating for you when times get tough =]
Oh that's just fantastic, and what a treat to look forward to. I'm 52 and actually started this when I was in the throws of being made redundant a couple of years ago. Basically to give me something to think about, move about a bit and hopefully prevent 'black dog' (if you know your winston Churchill you'll know what I'm talking about)
The running has actually been a side effect, but I'm healthier, happier, an absolute convert to park run, and trimmed up a bit. I'm no speed demon, and happily 'run' twice a week.
You're daughter sounds fab, I bet you're really proud of her. I did race for life with my daughter last year, it was quite special doing that and finishing hand in hand, you go girls! 😄 you rock!
Mx
Aww Madge50 thanks for that, I do indeed know about the black dog (through my daughter) and have worked (as PA in nhs mental health for 16 years)...my first experience with 'running' a situation or problem/stress out was a couple of weeks ago - and it was either run or explode - still here so the running definitely works 
And yes, so very proud of the journey my daughter has been on and where she is in life now - this holiday means so very much to the both of us - and I can't wait for the big reveal! x
I started the C25K programme after a long period of severe depression; because I was doing nothing else but working and I was not receiving any satisfaction at all from it.
I was about to surrender to a joyless life as though it was an inevitable destiny for me, and beginning to run was my last attempt to "do something" before giving up for good. Well, it worked and I fell in love with running. I cannot say my life has improved in any tangible way (actually my working situation is still becoming worse and worse), nonetheless I have a much more positive outlook. So there is no "secret goal" for me, I run simply because it makes me happy.
Hey Secan - I'm so glad that running has given you something joyful in life after your long period of depression - I'm finding it very therapeutic too - wrk for me is awful at present - but I've got that on my list to make a change before the end of the year too! I hope things change at work for the better for you too - keep running - it's just great being out there isnt' it? x
Oh this is such a fantastic post , what a lovely surprise for your daughters birthday !!
Yay , Go you !
Running in Central Park is on my " To Do before I Pop Mi' Clogs" List . I am so pleased that you are enjoying the programme , what an incentive for you .
Good Luck ! xxx
Thanks poppypug - I'm sooooo looking forward to that moment of reveal - I'm hoping to capture it on video for our little secret facebook group who've all supported me in this malarkey - their encouragement has been what's kept me going ... hope you get that run in Central Park too x
What an amazing reason to start running! Glad you're enjoying it for its own sake now
I started running 3 years ago because I have routine medical check ups every 4 years, and that was my last one. The time before, I'd been "told off" for putting "I go up and down a lot of stairs every day" as my response to a question about how much exercise I do. So that next time, I wrote "I go running 3 times a week" and I was a little disappointed not to get any comment....
Wowzer runningnearbeirut I bet that felt good when you wrote that one down!! Bloody brilliant! I must admit this whole running thing has taken me by surprise (for that first few outings) and now when I'm just out and about or even in the car going somewhere my mind wanders and I find myself thinking...ohhh that looks like a great place to go for a run, or, hummmm I wonder where that goes....
Nothing so glamorous for me I'm afraid. I'm 45 years old and 16 stone, I realised a few weeks ago I'd lost interest in everything and almost everyone around me. I've become lazy, moody and frankly unlikeable. I saw the couch to 5k programme on the bbc website and decided this would be an opportunity for me to start to make a change for the better.
I started a week ago going a bit rogue not following the programme as my phone wasn't compatible with the app, but I decided I needed a bit more structure and went out and bought a new phone. Did the week 1 first run today and followed the same route as last week, and although I didn't think I'd run as much as last week was actually quicker today and less out of breath
I hope I stick to it. In common with many on here I too am keeping this a secret from my family and friends
Hi Paul. The running-bug that many of us have is really contagious. Stick around in this forum and you're likely to become infected. Keep us posted about your progress.
Welcome aboard Paul, you will be very well supported on this forum.
You've started , youre off the couch , you've done the hardest step
Good Luck xxx
Hi PuffedOutPaul - glamorous or not you've gotten off the couch and gotten out there and are doing this!!! I hope you keep at it and that not only does your health improve but also the other areas of your life that had been going a bit bob - x
Lovely story CentralPark!
I started the programme in January 2015 as a (sort of) New Year resolution after realising my activity levels were in decline, I felt tired and sluggish all the time, I wasn't joining in with things I would previously have been up for, I was gaining weight and not sleeping well. It was a 'sort of' resolution because I didn't initially commit to doing the whole programme, just to taking it one run at a time.
9 weeks later at graduation, I seriously regretted not starting to run earlier in my life.
17 months on, my motivation is to not lose what I have gained in fitness, energy, and ability to tackle life.
Thanks CodFish - I'm really excited about the big reveal - as well as getting a 5k under my belt! Like you my activity levels were wayyyy down and I had no energy either - all my energy was used up at the end of a long office day and then another 3 or 4 hours in the kitchen working on my home business of making celebration cakes - after that there was nothing left in the energy pot...now after only this short time I'm full of it haha! Keep on keeping on is now my motto - and it sounds like yours too,
Wow, what an amazing reason! That will really make your daughter's day, I'm sure =]
I initially started Couch25k to help alleviate some of the symptoms of depression and anxiety. When I started, I had been on my medication for about 7 months, and I wanted to begin coming off it/having the dosage lowered, but was finding it difficult. I knew that exercise was meant to be good in this sense, so I decided to give Couch25k a go. Within 2 weeks of the plan my Doctor agreed to reduce my dosage by 10mg, and whilst I haven't gone down since then (fingers crossed for next month though!!), I have become a lot better at managing my symptoms. I also find that I am sleeping better, which is incredible as poor sleep has plagued me since my teenage years. I have more self confidence and feel like I am achieving something, so even if I have had a difficult day I still feel satisfied that I have succeeded at something. I also feel more confident in myself, and whilst I do still suffer the odd blip (who doesn't?), these episodes are much shorter and easier to dismiss. I haven't had a panic attack for months.
I am also a teacher (although I'm currently unemployed as I am leaving the country soon to go and teach abroad), and one of the reasons I enjoy teaching is because I like helping others. Couch25k has enabled me to help others because I have been able to participate in charity runs, which again helps me to feel like I've achieved something because I know that I have helped somebody, somewhere.
I know that my story is not unique on this forum, but that is my story =]
Hey Yamiskoi that's a great story...about it helping you I mean - and I know what you mean about exercise and being out there helping with depression - I had a short spell way back when my daughter was really suffering in her life and just going out for walks back then did me the world of good - and that reduction in your meds after such a short time - way to go you! Good luck with the new overseas move and job - I hope it's to somewhere warmer than here currently, xx
I have wanted to be a runner for a long time and have tried half a dozen times, sometimes really persevering for months on end, but never really seeing any progress. Then life would get in the way and it would all fizzle out. I got a health scare in December 2014 and decided I had to lose weight and get fitter. I started with walking, which I've always enjoyed and after 6 months I fancied a little jog and discovered I could run for 30 minutes. But I couldn't do it the following week. Every now and then I would have a little jog, but was never consistent. I even started a c25k programme in August 2015, but holiday got in the way, the app was instable and I didn't like being instructed when to run by a robotic American voice. In January 2016, having been prowling on this forum for a while, I decided Laura might give me the structure I obviously needed and started c25k with Laura and Julie! I loved it, but I think I loved this forum more. I bombed through it, made real progress and finally feel like a runner (but I'm not very brave and haven't done any official runs). My family didn't notice, as I had been going out for walks and little jogs for ages. They find it vaguely amusing that their mother/wife disappears off and comes back beetroot-faced and happy. But mostly they hardly notice, because I tend to run in the mornings before my lazy lumps are up.
Running has made me happier - sometimes I feel positively smug - and I still feel excited about every run. I haven't lost any weight, but I haven't gained and I think there's been a fair bit of re-distribution!
Your motivation is brilliant. I bet you can hardly wait!
Hey JaySeeSkinny - great story too! I know what it's like with 'life' and stuff getting in the way haha - but you've made it through the c25k so that's a bloody good achievement! Running (finally) makes me happy too and I can't help thinking about 'where next' half the time - even that makes me smile - like you I've not lost any weight (or gained) but don't think I've been at it long enough to re-distribute it either - looking forward to that bit as I've got a fair bit on the 54 year old tum that could get lost elsewhere haha! And yes, honestly can't wait for the big reveal - it's sooo hard keeping a secret from my lovely daughter - although she lives a good 4 hours away we talk in person or on fb every day and share so much - her best friend is my secret coach on our secret facebook group as she's a tri-athlete/coach and having just completed the London Marathon with my daughter is now training for the Ironman/woman in Norway in September! x
Thats a great story - hope you enjoy the run. I started because I've always wanted to run, used to do loads when much younger, but life got in the way. I was diagnosed with Finromyalgia 6 years ago and have had years of flare ups and being in constant pain but this year things seem to have settled so I went for it! Just done week 5 and am amazed at my progress - mentally feel so much better and the pains in my legs that I had every night have gone
Wow Cybermat64 - that's really fantastic about the pains going away after all this time - so glad it's helped with the Fibromyalgia - total bonus! I know we've all be told for years about the benefits of running/exercise but evening know that sometimes 'life' just gets in the way and we don't get out there and do the things we know might help (we're a right fickle bunch us human beans aren't we?) Still, glad you've made it this far, well done, and very glad it's making you feel so much better all round! x
What a great reason to run Centralpark! I went to a school reunion (my first) as we hit our 50th years and I realised that I was slipping into middle age and putting on more weight every year and THAT IT DOESNT HAVE TO BE LIKE THAT!!!!
I've cut the carbs, learnt front crawl and swim regularly and started the C25K - I feel better than I have for years.
I'm loving the other replies too - we all have great reasons to run
Eeeks, thanks Biscuit0107 - I know what you mean...I'm currently having my mid-life crisis as I near my 55th birthday - it seems that suddenly I now look 'older' - one minute I'm celebrating my 50th and still liking my look and have people saying wow you don't look 50 and now when I say I'm nearly 55 no one is shocked 
So, like you said, time to do something about it and c25k is, as Mary Poppins said, a very good place to start lol x
Hey guys I just want to say a massive thank you to you all for responding - it's been brilliant to hear all your own personal stories - what comes across is what a great bunch you are and how great this running malarkey has/is for us all xxx
Wow Central Park that's amazing to run in Central Park good luck with that! I am doing it to try and manage my stress levels I am a foster carer for highly traumatised children and is carers unwittingly take on their trauma so I am hoping this will help me to box some of it to allow more free mind space. I also have scleraderma which is like lupus, my body produces too much collagen which makes things stiff like my lungs I m working on the theory that if I use these bits of my body and keep stretching them it will take longer for them to give up!
Thanks Tombenoly - really looking forward to Central Park Wow, foster carer is hard enough but for highly traumatised children - I take my hat off to you - and I can relate with you about vicarious trauma - I've worked as a PA to a Clinical Psychologist for 16 years now and the things I hear, been told, typed up etc are sometimes quite harrowing and sad - so I've brought them home with me too in fact, had a hell of a day some time last week and my little run did me so much good when I got home from work - it's definitely going to help you too I'm sure too that using/exercising your lungs more is going to help with the scleraderma - xx
Wow what a fantastic plan! You definitely have to record that, it will be a brilliant moment, it's making me smile just thinking about it!
My story.... well back in 2011 i was suffering badly from depression, ended up with 7mths off work and a short stay in hospital. Whilst I was off my brother Paul was a great support to me and he said we should learn to run, it'll be really good for you and we'll aim for doing the Great South Run
So we downloaded a plan I bought trainers but I just couldn't get the willpower to start.
Fast forward to 2012 i'm feeling much more positive and i lost 2 stone with Slimming world.
Fast forward again, i'd lost my beloved dog after 17 years and my mum was now in nursing care with dementia, a hard year but i was determined not to let depression take me over again. End if 2013 and my best friend Tracy is doing c25k (as her husband and kids run and she just used to watch)and invites me to come watch a parkrun, i cheered her on and she was doing great! She told me she could now run 20 mins non stop-amazing! i vowed i would start in the new year so on 5th Jan 2014 i took my 1st outing, going up a farm lane early in the morning so I wouldn't see many people . And it was hard but ok. I followed the plan religiously and soon braved the main rd, then the seafront, feeling more confident and managed by graduation run at parkrun 😊 that April i managed to come off my last remaining medication after 3 years, and im still off it. Ive done 15 races and 57 parkruns and this forum has bevome a big part of my life. And i did get to do the Great South Run after all, just delayed by 4 years, and my brother has given up smoking and got fit too!he used to run but nearly 20 years ago, and we are going to the Great Manchester Run to celebrate his 49th birthday on that day! So life has changed alot, still can be hard to battle against my mind but I now know to cope with stuff alot more now!
God that's gone on alot- sorry!
Keep us updated on your big reveal maybe that's one for us to aim for too!!!😊😆
Wow Aliboo70 that's a hard - but so inspiring tale right there - and boy you're like a weeble - you kept getting knocked down (by life) but you sure got back up again, and again, and again and now look at you, 15 races 57 parkruns and the Great South Run under your belt - AND the Great Manchester Run to come - wowzer! I guess you'll always worry the depression could come back - but you've definitely seemed to have found the strength and tools to give it a good kick up it's ugly bum! Thanks for sharing that with us, and if I get the big reveal on video or some pics I'll be shore to come back and let you know - xx
I did it for my daughter. I'd found out that she'd been self-harming and I was so worried about her. I knew that she was going through a really difficult time emotionally and I hoped that getting out there and being more physically active would help her as one positive way of approaching things. I bought us both trainers and she downloaded the podcasts for me but wouldn't join me on the runs. I felt I should lead by example, so did the programme on my own. Now she says she is proud of me for sticking with it. She came out once and skate boarded while I ran and told me she might join me. I hope she will but I am not putting any pressure on. I have my first race soon and she is going to come along and cheer me on which is great. I know running would be great for her and I'd go with her and mentor her through but as yet she is not ready for it. Thank goodness the self-harming has stopped though the underlying adolescent worries will still be there.
Awww Boptilyoudrop49 - it's so hard isn't it when your own child is going through so much like that (I've had a similar thing my end) and you do just about everything you can to help them - I'm glad that you went through with the running and found it helps you - even if your daughter has not joined in yet...you never know one day she might just surprise you too! I'm glad the self-harming has stopped - let's hope she continues her recovery - keep on keeping on being the wonderful mum you obviously are - their a complete pain in our bums a lot of the time but they're also sooooo worth it xxx
Lovely story. That is the stuff I like. You will have to tell us all about it. I can't wait.
Thanks nhs2015 - I really hope I can keep the secret till the big reveal - it's soooo difficult - I'm such a chatterbox - as you can probably tell from all my replies xx
Hi there , I graduated last year and started the programme to get as fit as I could . As I'm going on 70 it was a present for me . I love my life and want to stick around for as long as possible
Crikey Dessie01 that's some achievement - lots of 70 year olds would have chosen a new handbag or scarf haha - but not YOU! And you know what, I love my life so much right now too so after I graduate I'm gonna keep on trucking just like you and stick around for a lot more years too! Here's to a long and happy one, much love, xx
For my daughter as well... last year at age 51, diabetic, health getting worse, I finally had a gastric bypass and lost a lot of weight. I want to live longer for my daughter - my own mother passed away early from bad health and I didn't want to put my own daughter through that if I could help it. I've always wanted to run but never could due to weight. So this is a dream come true for me. I am terrible at it so far, lol, but getting better each time and with the help of this terrific forum I know I'll be ok
My daughter is 13 (had her late in life)
Hi Invirginia - that's a great reason to be doing it for sure - and you've overcome so many obstecals already - and I know what you mean about being terrible at it so far...I was just like that up until a couple of weeks ago - when I had my eureka moment and realised I was running and smiling hahah! It will come for you too and it feels great! See you at the finish line xx
Hi I think that's gonna be an awesome thing to do for her and if you ever get low just imagine her face when she hears you say "you know what I'll join you!" Ha ha .... For me I'm going this because I've said I'd do a local 5K for a charity ( miles for men) ive put of doing it in previous years for one reason or anotherbuy I've decided to do it as I know it'll be good for me too since I'm overweight and have asthma so I'm doing it for charity and to torture my lungs ha ha .... Good luck with your progress and hope your new York run goes well
Thanks ADH94 - totally, it's thinking about that little face when I tell her that keeps me at it! You're brave signing up for a run already - well done you! How far are you into the programme now? Ahhh and those lungs might be protesting now but they'll thank you in the end x
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