Almost 1 year on...

[Infinity1200]

Hi Everyone. I've not posted before but as it's almost a year since I stepped outside with W1 R1 c25k loaded on my phone I wanted to capture some of the highs and lows I have experienced.

Leaving the house on that first run I learnt that 1 minute is FAR longer than I ever imagined! By the end of that run I doubted I would ever run for longer than a minute. The next day I learnt that stretching when I got home rather than just lying down would have been good!

After a rest day I forced myself to carry on and do R2. I wanted to carry on and give it a go but it was incredibly hard. It was hard to learn that I wasn't as fit as I thought I was too!

By W2 R1 I wondered if I could keep going as every rest day I would find new aches.

But I did keep going out after work 3 times a week. I found that I was looking forward to running by week 3. It was still hard every time I went out. I struggled to breathe and my legs hurt but I would look forward to it every time it was a run day. Because every time I finished a run I felt like I had really achieved something that was just for me. I bought running clothes and some fantastic trainers. Some of my aches went away and some new ones started! The elation of w5 r3 I will never forget. Like so many others I never thought I would be able to run for that long. 20 WHOLE MINUTES!

I stuck with it until week 6. At the end of w6 r3 I felt some stiffness in my hip. It went away during my rest day but as soon as I tried to run...pain. I had to rest it for 2 weeks and they were tough weeks. I realized how important running had become to me during that time. I was miserable and cranky. Afterwards I could only run for 5 mins at most before it started to twinge so I went back to week 3 and started over. Building back up to where I had been was frustrating but I was dreading getting back to that same point and getting injured again. Bit by bit I made it back to that run and more. By week 7 I decided to quit smoking. I noticed for the first time it was making me out of breath and realized it was holding me back so it had to go. It wasn't as bad as I had feared it might be and I think running helped so much with that.

I was so excited to complete w9. By that time I had told everyone that I knew about c25k! I couldn't stop telling people how fantastic the programme is and if I could do it anyone could. And it's true. All you have to do is keep going and you'll get there. I graduated in February and I still run 3 times a week. The aches I used to get have gone now. Some runs are great and others I have to force myself to go out for but I never regret going out there....even in the rain! I've found I can do something I never thought I would be able to and the confidence that has given me is priceless. So if you're struggling keep going then know that it might not be easy but it is worth it!

[lumpymum]

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing, very motivational !

[freckles05]

Thanks, it's good to hear about your experience.

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

This is wonderful! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and inspire us all. It gives me great heart to hear of people who have completed C25K and are still running long after. Great job!

I am on W8 now and, despite the challenges, I am loving the new running me. 😍

[YvetteK Graduate]

So lovely to hear about your journey. Well done for keeping going!

[Funnyrunner Graduate]

Loved reading this. Like you, I started the program a year ago and never thought I'd get to 3 minutes, then 5, then 20, etc. But I did and it was fab. I think it's great that you're still running three times a week too! I've not managed that for various reasons but am hoping to start again soon. Keep it up!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Great post.. thank you

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Boaty]

Thanks for posting this, today is my second run of week 1 and motivation was very low till I read your post. Great to hear that you continued after the end of the program and despite setbacks.

[Jenny1970 Graduate]

Thanks very much, your post is a real inspiration.