Wey hey! I did it. C25k completed this morning. I'm still grinning Can't believe I managed to go from just about gasping my last 2+ months ago to jogging along for 30 minutes.
I've not managed 5km yet but I'm close, just another 500m. I was going to try to get to the 5k on run 2 this week but I ended the 30 mins on a hill so stopped after only an extra 20 seconds or so. I didn't attempt it today because the programme goal, and my goal, is 30 mins, not 5k (despite the name), and I can do that
Doing the programme has been a learning experience as well as a fitness one. I thought I'd just jot down my thoughts as they kept me going through today's 30 minutes:
* Smiling and nodding at people you pass makes you feel good. If they smile back or say "morning", it makes you feel doubly good. The people who ignore you or turn away from you are just jealous that they haven't got the motivation to run.
* Most people will jump out of the way of a heavy breathing, red faced runner in mismatching fluorescent lycra - no need to keep jumping on and off paths to avoid the normal people.
* The exception to the above, is cyclists. They think that just because they're cycling along a traffic free path, in bright yellow (matching) lycra and are wearing a helmet that wouldn't look out of place in a velodrome, the poor person they're coming up behind will hear them. They will either mow you down, swear, or give you a really dirty look, usually all three!
* It's nice to be outside and moving forward. Look up, around, behind. It's all far more interesting than looking down at the pavement.
* Always, always check the soles of your shoes before walking through the house after a run. Some people don't clean up after their dogs and it's not easy to avoid if you're looking around enjoying the surroundings.
* The more mismatched the lycra, the faster you'll run.
* Running is great for forgetting about work stresses, to do lists and pretty much everything else. It's "me" time.
* Mid-programme rewards are great. New shoes, running watch, new top etc. are all really good for motivation. I've just bought an album of running tunes to keep me motivated to get to 5km.
* I can do it! I started the programme at week 1 thinking I'd never be able to jog comfortably and now I can do 30 minutes reasonably comfortably. That deserves another
Now, going to go find my graduation badge.