Graduation, a year on....still running

[Paul46-ipswich]

Merry Christmas everyone and good luck to you c25k winners you're awesome!

I started c25k last November and 10 weeks later had graduated, and that was after 20years of an unfit lifestyle, sure I was strong as I did manual industrial work and I tried to eat healthy, but I was definitely not fit anymore. It all came to a head when I moved into a 3 story townhouse and found myself out of breath by the time I got to the top floor.

The C25K app may well have saved my life, when I started I struggled on the first day, I'm now 47 and entering the risky age for overweight men, but a year on from graduating and I've signed up for a 10 miler in February with my daughter and last night I went out and ran 6km without stopping and I felt like I could have done 7 or 8 but I'm on a plan so stopped.

A few things I've learned over the past year;

I can do more!

I can overdo it!

Start SLOW!

I need a target!

I need to follow a plan!

Podcasts are better than music (my opinion)

Minimalist trainers can be better than expensive cushioned trainers

I now run in Nike Flyknits which are like socks with rubber soles on all my training runs and only use my Asics for long runs as I've struggled with painful Achilles and calves (hence the slow progress since graduating) now my tendons and muscles are stretching back to where they should be and I'm not incurring injuries. I watched an ultra video last week where the guys run barefoot or in sandals!!!!

This site is an awesome source of motivation and advice and without it I probably wouldn't be still running and getting healthier so for all of my friends on here a huge thankyou.

Paul

[Simmypie Graduate]

What a handsome fellow! The ladies' heart rates will be soaring...

[Paul46-ipswich Graduate in reply to Simmypie]

Haha let's put our hands together for the blind runner

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Simmypie]

Be still , my beating heart ..... xxx

[Tomas Graduate]

Happy runniversary Paul! It sounds like you've found your groove and doing really well. So happy to read it!

[loisamelia Graduate]

Hi Paul, nice to put a face to a name Well done on your progress and I love that you have come to know yourself more through running. Keep it up, maybe our paths will cross one day!

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Happy runniversary Paul - sounds as if you are doing really well.!

[PippiRuns]

Happy runniversary Paul and merry Christmas! I've only been around since April, but I totally agree that this forum is fantastic!

[poppypug Graduate]

Aw thanks for coming back Paul and letting us know how you're doing

Happy Runniversary Christmas and Good Luck with your race ! xxx

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Congratulations on your first year of running Paul and the best of luck for your ten miler in February. Did you run through that field? It looks beautiful.

[Paul46-ipswich Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes the public footpath went straight through the muddy field it was awful, slipping everywhere. But it was lovely, the pic above was taken in athlone Co westmeath Ireland last month on a morning run.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Paul46-ipswich]

Gorgeous *big sigh*

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Yes, what a smile! happy runniversary!

[Sofargoner Graduate]

Great testimonial - hoping I am still running in one year (due to graduate on Thursday) - these kinds of stories help me to keep going!

[saul01 Graduate]

A face to the name at last. Well done fella, the year has shot by. I'm on the injury couch at the moment, hopefully/wanting to start again in the coming weeks.

[Paul46-ipswich Graduate]

Hey Saul, I recognise so many names from when I was doing c25k and it's great to see so many still going strong. Hope you recover soon. Paul