Starting Over

[Domestic_Goddess]

I started a C25K app in March 2013 as a way to help me lose weight as healthy eating on its own wasn't working for me. At the same time I applied for a charity place in the London marathon. I was coming up to 50, about to become a Nan and I wanted to be fit and fab not fat and flabby.

That first run on the app was a killer and I thought my phone was broken as I must have been running for ages to be this red faced and out of breath. It wasn't broken and it was only 1 minute. My friend, an avid runner swore it would get easier and I'd end up loving running - I scoffed. Never! It was a means to an end and I'd always hate it.

I persevered and remember being delighted when I ran my first 8 minute long run, ecstatic when I did 20 minutes and beyond happy when I ran 5k.

In October I got a call from Mind to say I had a place in the London marathon in April 2014 - I didn't know whether to laugh or cry but by now, guess what, I actually loved running. My friend was right and instead of it being a chore I actually missed it if I couldn't fit my run in. That same month my grandson was born and I got to goal.

Apart from my family, the London marathon was the best thing I've ever done and I loved every minute of it. In the August I turned 50 and was the fittest I'd ever been.

Sadly a few things got in the way of my running earlier this year including working 2 jobs, building work on the house and two 90 minute round trips a day running my hubby to work after he broke his foot. Even though I'd loved it I struggled to find the motivation once everything settled down and I'd quit one job, the building work's finished and hubby's mobile again.

I started the NHS C25K earlier this month and am on my 3rd week. I've been annoyed with myself that it's been a struggle to run 5 minutes when I think back to how I could run 15-20 miles a week. I've done it before though so I can do it again. I hope the support on here will help.

Sorry for the long post but that's my story covered.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Welcome back, you are here and your on week 3, well done for getting back to it again. I'm sure the old love will kick in again soon. I've just had to redo after having time off for surgery it is an excellent time to work on Your form when your doing it all again. The fact of the matter you know you can do it so enjoy the redo and happy running.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Yeay!!!! Welcome back! As Realfoodieclub says.... it will all start coming back!!! She should know!!!

Take it slow and steady... you know the path and the way to run it!!!

Keep posting too,,, we are great ( as you know), for support , encouragement and the odd shove if necessary!!!

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

What an inspiring story and it must have been wonderful to do the London Marathon! I think there are ups and downs in this running journey for many of us. I graduated a couple of years ago and completed my first HM in March. I had trained well and the day was everything I had hoped. However the last few months I have had several setbacks due to ill health and injury and am way down in fitness terms to where I was! BUT, I am now getting out there again and I know that over time I will build things back up. I have had to reset goals (hopes and dreams) but still love running as much as ever. You are getting back to it now and I am sure that fitness will return quickly. Good luck and let us know how things go.☺