Fears, failures and that eureka moment

[rolysmate]

Without going back to far but as some of you will already know a lot of the motivation for me doing this came from Mee Mum and sadly her death (there's another post back a bit for anybody interested)

In March after a lifetime as a smoker (with a continuous cough) I packed in smoking (mum hated the fact I smoked) and was feeling quite good with things BUT then the weight started piling on and my waist line was rapidly growing along with my moobs etc

Not a pretty sight I can tell you and looking at my naked body in the mirror was becoming quite upsetting

So I decided I had to do something about it and again thanks to Mum running was my only option

It was then that I discovered cto5k and decided that this is the way forward and to make it all very real I announced to friends and family that I would be doing a 5k park run 2 days before my 60th birthday and that it was to be a charity run (no backing out now.)

And so it began!

FEAR

Like so many of you I started week 1 huffing and puffing my way through the minute run sections and really struggling, frightened that people would see me and think look at that fat,daft old duffer but I did and got through week 1

Along came week 2 and I've got to run in 90 second stints (no way) but I went out there and again huffed and puffed and sweated my way through it

And on it went terrified of the increase of the coming week but managing just about to do it

Failure

Week 5 came along and the increase in time was there and I managed run 1 but r2, well that's where failure happened twice on the 8 minute section I had to stop and walk all be it for 15 seconds but I had to walk, I'd failed this was bloody hard/impossible and beyond me I felt

Eureka Moment

That night I was here on the forum reading a post who spoke about SUSTAINABLE PACE (remember that,it's important)

Sustainable pace what is it, well it's a pace that you can maintain running for the distance/time required

Eureka that was it I was running to fast for my ability and couldn't maintain it, so the very next time out I slowed it down (sustainable pace) and oldfloss will like this to snails pace minus 1 and guess what yep I huffed and puffed and wheezed my way through but I did it

From that moment the fear went as yep I can do this and I brushed the gremlins off my shoulder and I ran and ran proud not caring who saw me and revelling in the joy of the next challenge

Now for those worried about weight well let me tell you the fat is fast becoming a thing of the past and now I look in the mirror and guess what there's the makings of a racing snake there.

Rolysmate is a runner and if this aged ex smoking pot bellied duffer can do it so can you

Get in there!

[Kimchoc08 Graduate]

Wow!! What an inspirational post!! Thanks for sharing and letting us all be a part of your C25K journey.

Keep on running 🏃🏼

[HeleneCorsa Graduate]

What a fabulous post, wonderful to read. This is a very personal journey and each person has his or her own reasons for undertaking it, so it is always a privilege to share in it.

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Perhaps in a sense your discovery of running is your mum's parting gift to you.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Go you....you lean, mean, running machine!!

[Martin_Rose Graduate]

Another brilliant inspiring post, thanks and well done.

[Jododds]

Totally brilliant! Thank you very much for a lovely post. I live in hope that the fat will roll off!

[rolysmate Graduate in reply to Jododds]

I've lost a couple of bellies and my moobs are far less in need of a bra now

[Jododds in reply to rolysmate]

😀 probably not polite to go into the scaffolding required to get my top half out on a run! I've got about 1.5-2 stone to lose. I cycle a lot but that doesn't help. I'm hoping running might shock my body into releasing fat!

[rolysmate Graduate in reply to Jododds]

it's done it for me so no reason why not

[Irish-John Graduate]

Great post

[Louedwards]

Go you🏃‍♂️ Hopefully in a few weeks ill be doing the same

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Fabulously inspiring post, as ever, rolysmate!!! Keeps us all running along...my Mum would find it unbelievable at my achievement this morning but I bet she's smiling down on me like your Mum will be too..with proudness overload!!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Brilliant post !

Inspirational for so many folk out there, doubting themselves, their ability , and everything else!

Newbies et al .. take note

[Kippinsimpson]

Inspiration at its best- Thank you

[kinnyf30]

Your post was just what I needed to read this morning. After struggling my way through w1r2 last night and having about 4 stone to loose your post has backed up my determination that I can do this. I've been reading everyone's post for a couple of weeks but not commented or posted before so thank you

[rolysmate Graduate in reply to kinnyf30]

you CAN do this and it will make a difference

[kinnyf30 in reply to rolysmate]

Thank you x

[skysue16 Graduate]

Wonderful! How inspirational, you should feel VERY proud. Keep up the good work 👍

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Inspirational post, thank you.

[rolysmate Graduate in reply to Anniemurph]

After writing it Annie I sat and sobbed

[Saratamsin Graduate]

So inspiring, thanks! I had a bit of a rubbish run yesterday so this is exactly what I need to read - I suspect I've also been trying to run at an unsustainable pace. Thanks again for sharing.

[Nobbywatts Graduate]

I'm not surprised, I would have too. You've done an amazing - and difficult - thing. The easy thing to do would have been to carry on as you were, smoking and wheezing and eating yourself into further sadness. But now this! And yes, your dear old mum would have been proud (both of my parents died before I started the programme - they would have been INCREDULOUS!). Great work, long may it continue! Yay you! X