I ran 20 minutes and feeling really proud

[MikeyMcC84]

I completed my third run of week 5 today and I couldn't be happier!

I decided to get into the running and the podcasts for 3 reasons:

(a) I've been putting on a fair bit of weight - I know it's not a fat-losing regime as such but I knew I could do with getting a lot fitter.

(b) I'm asthmatic - I had just moved from out of London where my asthma had gotten a lot worse and I knew by doing this I'd be helping my lungs out.

(c) The most important personal reason for me. I've been dealing with depression and anxiety for a long time and it was particularly bad at the start of this year. I had finished a spell of counselling and I knew by doing something active I could help carry on and do something that I could be proud of.

It has been such a good thing to do for me to get out, exercise and feel good after. This is certainly not the end! But if you had told me 5 weeks ago I could run non-stop for 20 minutes I would have laughed at you! Good luck to those who are starting out, you can get there!

[Hidden]

Very well done, especially overcoming challenges to do it.

[MikeyMcC84 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Great run😊MikeyMcC..

Keep going..onwards and upwards 💪

[dianne1984]

We'll done 😊 I am hoping that doing the couch to 5k will help give me motivation and confidence to ease myself off anti depressants. It is a battle

[MikeyMcC84 in reply to dianne1984]

Best of luck Dianne. With you all the way!

[dianne1984]

Do you go running to the same area or do you go somewhere different each time? I am starting week 7 tomorrow and I have been running the same area each run. I do my runs Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Some days are a real struggle

[JenniferCMS Graduate in reply to dianne1984]

Mikey and Dianne - I come from the same place. I too was suffering mentally and slipping downwards, feeling so bad about myself, the result of suffering a huge trauma last year. This programme has given me renewed confidence - something I can feel really proud about. And this is reflected outwards - everyone says how well I look these days, which in turn makes me face the day gladly. How lucky we are to be healthy enough to do it, sore knees and all (in my case)!! Will look out for your progress, both of you, so keep posting (good and bad)😉. Best of luck xx

[MikeyMcC84 in reply to JenniferCMS]

I never said, this is lovely thank you Jennifer - so proud of you for graduating!

[JenniferCMS Graduate in reply to MikeyMcC84]

And you'll be right behind me, honest. Once you can do 20 mins, I think you've broken the back of it, I think. What's an extra 10 mins between friends, eh?!!!

[dianne1984]

Week 8 run 1 completed, 28 minute run. Thought I was going to throw up!!!! I think I ate my lunch too late 😔

[JenniferCMS Graduate in reply to dianne1984]

Ha! I've definitely been there, Dianne, tho mine was running on an empty stomach first thing. Got advice here to eat a few nuts & a bit of banana and that seems to work. Am almost scared to deviate from whatever works (if it ain't broke, don't fix it), so have only ONCE run later in the day. Will try once I've (hopefully) graduated at the weekend...

[MikeyMcC84 in reply to JenniferCMS]

I've got W8R1 today! I kind of wish it wasn't raining so bad but I will power through it hopefully! If I can do 25 I can do 28! So pleased you're making it!

[JenniferCMS Graduate in reply to MikeyMcC84]

Go, Mikey, Go, though don't slip in this rain and break something!! Haven't run in the rain myself yet but it could be cooling!!

[Gillma Graduate]

Oh so well done. W5r3 is the best !!!

[Bonsaiboy]

how did you find the 20mins jump from 8mins the time before? I have that this week and am feeling a little daunted by it.