And then there were 3!

[LeeU]

A long time ago in a Galaxy far, far away, battle rage across the temples of a fat man, his desire to run and get fit fought endless running battles with the forces of evil, chocolate and procrastination.

Our heavy warrior was triumphant in one small battle that is leading the rebellion closer and closer to all out victory....

As usual I was awake before the alarm sounded but I waited and let it ring once, as usual, before turning it off. I am a creature of habit with mild OCD at times, silly little things like I can't stand the volume being on an odd number, it has to be even for some reason.

Anyway, I digress, downstairs, threw on the running gear and headed for the conservatory and the treadmill.

Set off on my last 28 minute run, I still can't believe I'm putting run (jog really) when 4 weeks ago I was still waddling, I'm digressing again, sorry. I fired up Laura and set off on my warm up walk, I cleared my head of the usual multiple threads of thoughts and actually managed to silence about 90% of them, this is unusual as this normally happens in the first 5 minutes of running.

I decided I wanted to test myself even more with it being my last run of Week 8, so I set off at the usual pace but with a 4% incline, 10 minutes in I dropped it to 3%, 20 minutes I dropped it to 2% and headed for the finish line, still at the same pace, no slowing allowed today, I need to make sure I'm up for the 2 30 minute runs next week. 5 minutes left to go I dropped the incline to 1% and then it happened, the gremlins hit! I had to slow a little, about .3kph, I was disappointed and questioning if I could actually run for 30 minutes or if I had topped out at 28, so what seemed a few seconds later, Laura is telling me I have 60 seconds left, the incline went back to 2%, not a lot I know, and the speed rose, I was finishing this run on a high!, 60 seconds later Laura tells me I'm done and my reply can't be put on here I'm afraid but I wasn't having anyone tell me I was done just yet, so I carried on, same incline and speed.

30:30 total time running, covering 4KM, I was really tempted to press on and do the extra KM and hit 5KM for the first time in my life BUT I'm supposed to be a good boy and I've tried not to cut corners, etc to ensure I get the most I possibly can from this great program, so that can wait until next weekend when I plan to do W9R3.

So, I broke my own rule today and ran for 30 minutes, I'm justifying this by saying W6R3 did this first and I'm only copying that.

Now that leaves me with 3 runs left to compete, all of a time I know I can complete, they'll still be a challenge and ones I'll love doing, I'm not going to say I've run for 30 minutes I've completed the program, this program still has it's uses for me post graduation as it'll help me increase my speed.

To Oldfloss I partly broke the Slow and Steady rule today, sorry boss, as per my W5R3 post, 'I just gotta know', I'll try to stick to the Slow and Steady for the next 3 runs.

To everyone one here, thank you once again, just knowing you are all there really does help.

I'm still struggling with the fact that I'm at the end of Week 8, with 3 runs left to do, I'm reaching the end of runs, tired but not puffing and panting like I was doing at the end of running up stairs 9 weeks ago, the difference is amazing.

People are beginning to comment on my weight loss and in one recent conversation with a friend at work who thinks nothing to cycling 100KM, I was shocked to find him in awe of me for running for 28 minutes!

I was in 44 inch waist jeans about 5 months ago, I was walking around in a pair of 40's yesterday, I had gone up to a 21" collar due to the size of my belly, I'm pretty certain my old 19" ones would fit me know.

One downside to this program, Mrs LeeU is insisting we go shopping to replace the clothes that now hang off of me; I don't mind spending the money but I HATE shopping!

Sorry for the long rambling post, live long and run longer.

[Hidden]

Sounds like you are doing an awesome job 😊 i am right at the beginning of this journey...& been ill for the last 10 days which has totally messed everything up!!!but its people like you who inspire people like me 😊

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Claire, I still remember first stepping onto the treadmill to do W1R1 and I still vividly remember the struggle I had getting to the end of it, it's only 8 ONE minute runs, how hard can it be? I was sure at the time Laura was telling lies about the amount of time I was running, surely I wasn't that unfit?

Once you cold clears you can crack on with the program, get you feeling better first and then you won't have to do both the run and fit the illness at the same time.

You can do it, it's inside you.

[Hidden in reply to LeeU]

It still seems utterly impossible but this many people can't be wrong haha 🤣😂 thanks for the support 😊

[Irishprincess Graduate]

What a fab post! A big well done on the weight loss and the continued commitment. Don't be tempted to f*** it up on the finish line by speeding up or doing more. There's plenty of time for that after graduation.

But I do think you'd better get used to the shopping thing as your body will continue to change the more you run 🙂

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

IrishPrincess - I understand what you are saying regarding F***ing it up, trust me, I'm doing everything I can to avoid overdoing it.

I prefer to go into a shop, pick something up, try it on if I think I need to and then pay and leave. Mrs LeeU likes to check every item, etc, at least 3 times!

[Glossy Graduate]

Good to see you kept those gremlins at bay. I'm week 7 and so desperate to see if I'll be able to manage 30 mins, time will tell.

I think you need to suggest internet shopping to Mrs L, try on at your leisure at home and then just have the usual nightmare sending most of it back when you don't like it!

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Glossy]

When I say Gremlins, I was tiring and needed to just slow a little to recover a little, I was pushing harder than normal. From the beginning of the program when I looked through the runs, etc, I started saying to myself:

If I can run for 20 minutes, then I can run for 25,

If I can run for 25 minutes, then I can run for 28,

If I can run for 28 minutes, then I can run for 30.

It is true, break the psychological barrier of W5R3 and you can complete the program, don't get me wrong, the runs are still challenging but in my head I know I can do it.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Sounds like you’re having an amazing journey & thank you for sharing it with all of us...massive pat on the back for you, your determination & willpower shines through in this post...this is an inspirational post so anyone who thinks they can’t do it just needs to read this and know that they can...is hidden inside all of us...well done LeeU...very well done 👍🏻🏃🏻💪🏻

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

It has been my pleasure to post on here, it's helped me more than anyone can ever imagine. The support I've received from the people on here has been amazing, thank you all.

[GingerBohemian Graduate]

So there is a twin planet to mine albeit in a different galaxy!!

I've also managed to drop a waist size and can get into some of my previous shirts (although these days people don't seem to wear ties so I haven't had to do the 'top button test' just yet!)

So just 3 to go. Get you!

It's great that you have shared this post as it not only is a great read and one that motivates any new starter to what they can achieve but it also motivates those of us about to head out on W8R2.

Use the Force

[LeeU Graduate in reply to GingerBohemian]

I've kept track of everyone's progress around me, the ones in front have given me the extra will power to continue along.

With the people like yourself, I have used that to help drive me on, I've not been in competition in anyone but it helped.

You're doing great yourself, keep it up.

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Brilliant post, brilliant runner! This is amazing, LeeU! You really are an inspiration. I love your stick-with-it attitude, your sense of achievement really shines through in this post. Feels good, getting fit. SO hard to start with, but once you start seeing / feeling the improvements, it gets addictive. Keep on running my friend.

PS Cannot believe you are risking the wrath of Oldfloss! May the Force be with you!

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

I don't know about an inspiration, a lot of perspiration, yes. I'd like to think that what I've posted has/will help someone, I know it helps me as I can look back at what I've posted and the progression helps drive me on.

I know, I was scared to mention that I'd strayed from Slow and Steady mantra, only on parts though, the pace I started at was the same pace I've used for runs from Week 3 onwards, speed training starts after graduation.

[Whatsapp Graduate]

Well done. And why shouldn't a cyclist be in awe of you? A bike is a mode of transport after all. No high impact on the limbs, and get to select an easier gear for uphill and just coast downhill too - no such let offs for the warrior runner.

[LeeU Graduate in reply to Whatsapp]

Thanks, I like it.

[misswobble Graduate]

You could shop and pop in the running store as well! That will make the outing at least tolerable

Don't do more than the programme tells you. Resist the urge to do more! Slow and steady, progressing carefully! wags finger ☝️

Great news on the weight loss! Keep running regularly and you will amaze yourself 😃 I used to be a right lard ass 😁

Oh, and, importantly eat and drink healthily 😃 Good luck

[LeeU Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble if I popped into the running shop it would cost me a fortune as I'd be tempted to buy my graduation present early, that's one thing I'm not breaking!

My entire diet changed after a bought of food poisoning in May this year, that's what got me back onto wanting to run again, I'd been threatening to do it but kept putting it off, after the food poisoning I wasn't eating like I was before, I now eat more fish, more vegetables, etc, and I mainly drink water, I sometimes (very rarely in fact) have a small glass of Pepsi to remind me why I stopped drinking it.

With regards to doing more than the program tells me to, I've got to push myself, the runs are still challenging, I'm not claiming they aren't, but pushing yourself is what the program is all about.

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Great job Lee! Post podium is of course the next thing. Outdoor runs perhaps?

I wish I had the same weight loss. My slightly tight jeans are slightly loose now but overall my body hasn't changed that much. Sigh. However most body change is due to diet, I know! I eat healthy but too much, I think. Too much cake, I mean...

[LeeU Graduate in reply to ejvcruns]

Outdoor running is still a major aim, I'll work on that after I've graduated, if I can't control my pace then I'll work the other way round, I'll work to increase my pace to match what my body thinks it's natural pace is.

My main 'gain' for the pre-running weight loss has come from portion sizing if I'm honest, obviously, I haven't increased what I eat due to running as I've kept the portion sizes about the same, I watch what I eat and I log everything on my fitness pal, I average between 1400 - 1600 calories a day.

[GingerBohemian Graduate in reply to LeeU]

MyFitnessPal has been great for me helping to lose weight alongside the C25K.

Started making me look at what I was eating and what I was putting in my shopping trolley.

And the barcode scanner also made me take out quite a few things I previously thought were healthy once I started seeing how much sugar was in them !

[LeeU Graduate in reply to GingerBohemian]

I started using it about 4-5 years ago when I was running before, I say running but it was more HIIT style, 1 minute at an all out sprint followed by 1 minute walk. Never got anywhere near the progress or the satisfaction like have from C25K. My fitness pal has been there though, that's another reason I chose the ForeRunner 735xt as a graduation present, it can automatically upload your workout details to My Fitness Pal, so you know how many calories you've burned etc.

[GingerBohemian Graduate in reply to LeeU]

I have the same with the Endomondo app on my iphone / watch. Both Endomondo and MFP are owned by Under Armour so it groups it all together.

Bloody clever this technical stuff

[misswobble Graduate]

Push yourself to do the runs certainly but there's no need to over exert. Finishing each session is the name of the game. You can't do that from the injury bench

[LeeU Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Agreed and feel my wrist is now slapped, I'll be a good boy from now on

[Hidden]

Just a thought you can put off the shopping by saying its a waste of money as you are still reducing in size, but there will come a time I guess when potential embarrassment may occur if your clothes actually fall off you whilst you're in public...

But Lee this is absolutely solid gold stuff you're achieving. Well done you and only 3 to go....

[dapsmith281 Graduate]

Brilliant post, I just did r2 of w6 today and broke the now walk for three minutes advice, instead I just kept plodding on next I know the second 10min run was at an end. Next up the 25min with the knowledge that I can and will do it.

[Newrunnerliz Graduate]

Inspirational!

Well done you!

[IgaT Graduate]

Great inspiration and amazing run! Keep up great work and enjoy!

[ChallengerGrandma Graduate]

Don't buy too much on your shopping trip. You're bound to lose more as you maintain your programme!