I embarked on c25k in August 2016 by using podcasts and a beginner's running group. Although i had run years before pre children, it was tough! At week 8, I ran for 38 minutes and managed 3.65 miles, I was euphoric! At graduation mid October 2016 I was running 4-6k twice a week and started parkrun shortly after. 5k running was my only goal on c25k, besides I have short legs and i am not a runner! Once consolidated during November and December (my goodness winter running was brr, fun), I decided to try for 10k. A few months later I was able to run 10k so entered the women's racing series 10k for june. During my 10k consolidation training period I did the virtual marathon in a month to push my monthly mileage, which worked a treat as I now run 30+ miles a month. June came and my womens racing series 10k race was tough due to being full of cold but done in 61 minutes, happy with that. July was the race for life 5k as my 7 year old wanted to run with me and it was great fun. Then another 10k virtual summer challenge. So what next? Well what about 10 miles I thought, so I set up another training plan. The school holidays were full of running training with kids on bikes as my support team! During my training runs i did the cosford virtual 10k although medal still in the post! We got through the plan and I enjoyed longer runs of 8 miles with the kids. Now I am up to the elusive 10 miles and have been awarded a virtual 10 mile medal (awaiting delivery). 10 miles is tough and it is not pretty at the moment while my legs get used to the distance and I work out my fuelling. I hope to consolidate 8-10 miles now. All this has been a tough road with some horrible runs (like today), some lovely runs and some minor niggling injuries along the way. It has been a learning curve but it has helped my mental health. I am no athlete, feeling more like an imposter runner. I have no running buddies and at times it is tough and lonely going solo. I am considering a hm next April (am I mad or delusional) but I hate crowds and failing. I have had a good year of running and have achieved what I never thought possible. I did it with the help and advice from here and I am truly thankful.
1st runniversary, what a year!: I embarked on c... - Couch to 5K
1st runniversary, what a year!
A very inspiring read and hugely encouraging for those struggling through the program, this is what can be achieved, many congratulations on all your successes and good luck for the future x
The programme is tough as it trains the bodys cardiovascular and muscle systems. Lots of adaption is taking place in c25k and everytime the goals thereafter change. I felt like quitting on a few occasions but I have come this far now and habitually include two runs a week. Keep going and you will see results.
What a great post... so lovely to see your medals and hear how well you've done. You are a massive inspiration to us out here. You give me hope that more is possible. Thanks 
It is possible. I started out with small goals like getting through c25k, then maybe 5k. Others in the beginner running group were aiming for 10k and marathons! Not in my wildest dreams lol. I am inspired by many runners on here and it helps get me out on a bad day.
Me too and you've just inspired me! I've just managed 5k in about 33 mins. I think gradually over the next few months I will try to extend that a bit and see where I get to. It's hard to believe I've actually just written all that about me!. Feels like a miracle!
Fantastic running, well done! Take one run a week and add a little extra distance. If necessary shorten another run slightly. Before long you will be going further. My 5k times improved with increasing distance too. Keep running, you are doing great!
Thanks! That's good to hear - I was planning on doing just that, as I have time at the weekend to extend a run, by a lap (which is about 15 %) but not in the week. Good to know that'll help improve distance too! Good luck with your next venture!
Wow that is truly brilliant, that is so inspiring 🥇🏆🏃♀️
You are cruising through the programme, slow and steady is the way. I only hope I can help others succeed through seeing my journey. Thank you.
What a great year you have had D. Nice set of bling to mark your first year 🏃🏻♀️
I loved reading this. Thank you for sharing! What a brilliant year you’ve had, especially with kids at home too. I’m in awe of anyone who can manage it. My youngest step-daughter is 18 now but I couldn’t have done it when they were younger. I barely managed to get matching socks on most days...
Like you, I hate crowds but I’ve so far found that once past the first few kms, the space tends to open up. I absolutely loathe being all penned in at the start of a race though. Urgh. I’m so desperate to get out of there by the time the race starts that I accidentally go off like a rocket - must be what horses feel like!
I run alone too but so far, I think I like it that way. It’s really nice to have this forum when you’re a solo runner though, isn’t it? I love the idea of virtual medals - not something I’d considered until reading your post but now I’m wondering if I could set myself a monthly challenge.
Congratulation on an absolutely brilliant year and thank you for sharing! 😃
Thank you Gabby. It is a challenge with a family but now they are at school i get that time to fit in my runs twice a week. It is all orchestrated with precision! In fact, the trio all run junior parkrun, parkrun and school cross country.....what have I turned them in to lol.
Thank you for telling me about your crowd issues, I don't feel quite so alone. I don't fancy being in a pen but I am going to face it. I cope with parkrun and we have between 700-1100 runners. More exposure will help and I will have to face it for a hm for sure, eek! Then there are toilet worries before the distance worries lol.
Here's hoping for another good year of running 🍷
Ha, I definitely feel your pain with the toilet worries too. I seem to go 100 times before setting off and still always think I need to pee just as the race starts!
Well done on converting those mini-Doyles; what a lovely shared interest to have 😍
Happy, happy Runniversary...
What a post.. what a journey.... and the best bit..it is still going on. Thank you for letting us be part of it
Thank you Oldfloss! Your advice has been invaluable along the way. This forum has some great mentors, advisors and admins who are always there for the members, it is fab to be a part of this community.
What a great post, cheered me up,as I'm feeling slightly flat at 6 months (not helped by being on the IC after a 5 aside tournament 🙁). Starting to think maybe I should consider the next step to work towards 10k😊
Sorry to hear you are on the ic. I find a new goal helps with motivation so take a step towards 10k. Several forumees are doing just that on the bridge to 10k. Once you are back running, go for it!
What an inspirational post, I completed C25k two weeks ago and am doing 5_5.5k 3 times a week, I would like to build up to 10k. Well done on a fantastic year, thank you for sharing this.
Happy Runniversary runfasterdoyle.😊
Yoy certainly haven't let the grass grow under your feet!😉
I'm in awe of your acheivements and it sounds like you have had a lot of fun along the way.😊x
It's really encouraging to see what can be achieved in a year, post graduation. Love the bling
What a wonderful post. You have achieved so much over a short year Hidden , very impressive - and also very encouraging and motivating. Happy runniversary, and congratulations!
Great post on how to keep motivated after 0-5k ends. Sounds like you've had a lot of fun along the way. And medals too! Congratulations on getting up to 10 miles. That's incredible.xx
I have got to 10 miles but now I need to keep at it lol. It does make 10k feel less daunting though which is good!
Such a motivational and inspirational post. I am sending my warmest congratulations - you are a star! I graduated in August this year and am still consolidating running for 30 mins ( had a two week holiday where I did no running). Like you, my aim is to run for 5K and take part in the parkrun. But now you have got me all excited - maybe I could end up running a 10K too! Thank you for this post - it's a good reminder that we have all come so far - that's something we should relish. Keep running 🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️
Yes you can move up to 10k! I definitely didn't think that was an option when I reached 5k but once consolidated it seemed a good idea! Go for it.
Happy runniversary Hidden ! You've made brilliant progress you should be really proud of yourself x 😊🏃🏃🏃🏃
Thanks aliboo. I don't think I will ever be as avid a runner as yourself, you are amazing!
That's very kind but you are totally brilliant! It's much harder to get out there own your own, you're doing so well I've lost a bit of confidence going out on my own after going to so many club runs, need to get out there and boost it up a bit
Wow that's an amazing story! I'm always looking for inspirational ideas and boy oh boy have you provided it for me! Congratulations on your, as Oldfloss says it, Runnivesary! Truly wonderful (runderful?!) stuff!
Thank you for posting this story! It was truly inspirational to see how far you've come in a year! Brilliant achievements, all if them. I've just signed up for a 10k in November, something that never remotely crossed my mind last year. Reading stories like this make you want to just keep going!
That's great news and you can and will run that 10k event. Well done Decker, you are running well.
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