I began trying to become a runner about 6 years ago. Yes, SIX. YEARS. As I reached middle-age, previously naturally-slim me had softened, then grew rounder still, then became a-few-pounds-short- of-obese. I started running simply because I wanted to find a way to be active that wouldn't cost much money or require me driving miles in city traffic to practice a sport. I knew I needed to become healthier and I thought, "well, surely anyone can become a runner." However, I only earned my graduation badge 2 days ago! Here are a few things I've learned through the process that I wish I'd known 6 years ago:
Loner: For at least a few of us (in other words, ME), starting running must be a solitary activity. I'm an Extrovert. At first, I figured that the highly-acclaimed "learn to run" program at my local running store would be a great way to start. events.runningroom.com/trai... I paid my fee and registered. (It's based on the same principles as a c25k program: walk + run each week in a group ~ with 2 other walk runs, on your own ~ and working up to an eventual 20 minutes of non-stop running.) What could go wrong? Well, for starters, I was far slower than others in my group but felt pressure (only from myself, to be fair) to keep up... and I simply couldn't. Also, even though I'd had gait analysis and bought expensive, comfy shoes, I developed painful shin splints. I found running outside, on the tough streets and hard city sidewalks, uncomfortable. And Toronto's extreme weather (bitterly cold in the winter, muggy and buggy in the summers) was an additional disincentive. I paid for and began that same course 3 different times... and never once was able to make it past the midway point. Discouraging! What I now know: YES, I am a social person who looks forward to the day when I can take part in races (I've signed up for my first charity 5K in late April), join running groups, gab with a girlfriend over a jog. However, in order to start my running journey successfully, I needed to be entirely self-absorbed. Running outdoors didn't suit so I got on a treadmill at the heated/air conditioned gym. Keeping up with the pace of others didn't work so I took John Bingham's advice and ran as slowly as I needed to (which is at a glacial pace). I found the C25K podcast and took the counsel to repeat weeks and runs as necessary... and, trust me, there were many repeats. Listening to Laura's sweet, encouraging voice stopped me from feeling too lonesome as I plodded along and then finding this group gave me another outlet for my desire to connect with others. At one point I sprained my ankle (fluke accident on stairs: nothing to do with running) and once, when I had finally reached c25K week7, "breakthrough bleeding" (I'd just fallen ~ unexpectedly and joyously ~ pregnant) meant I had to lay off strenuous activity so I put my efforts on hold numerous times. *Your journey is for you and only you, so tackle it in whichever way works for you, even if it looks nothing like anyone else's.*
Re-Branding: I referred to myself as unathletic. Whenever I'd let myself get a bit pleased with my running progress, I'd self-check my "arrogance" and remind myself that I had started and failed many times before and it was pathetic that it was taking me 6 years to be able to run for a mere 30 minutes, when others can do it in 9 weeks. I castigated myself for plodding so terribly, mortifyingly slowly. And then I realised... a. it wasn't effective to always speak to myself so unkindly. When I want my small child to do something difficult, encouragement and understanding work better than disdain or insults... why wouldn't my own self be the same? b. Beating up on myself made me feel virtuous, but in fact it's just as bad as being boastful. I know, you Brits are all about modesty and self-deprecation and we Canadians tend to be the same (at least, the anglo saxons amongst us... the French Canadians are, bien sur, a different matter 😉 ) But there's no innate decency in disparaging one's own self-improvement efforts. Overly-negative self-talk is in many ways just as self-indulgent as overly-positive self-talk. And so... now I'm trying to be gentle and encouraging with myself. It's easier some days than others. But I try to speak to myself as someone who is not "unathletic," but rather as someone who ~ for the first time, in middle age ~ is challenging herself to move her body more. Yes, it took me 6 years to be able to run 30 minutes non-stop: that demonstrates persistence and an unwillingness to be kept down, in spite of pauses and set-backs. I'm slower than the vast majority... but most things in life improve with consistent effort so there's no reason to imagine that I won't improve my pace. And if I don't? Well, slow running is still a weigh-bearing exercise that is strengthening my bones; it still raises my heart-rate enough to lessen chances of some future health issues; it's still better than sitting on the sofa. *Talk to yourself kindly and let yourself feel the glow of pride in your accomplishments!*
Cross-Train: I'm tall, I have an extremely long torso and sit at a computer about 7 hours/ day so I tend to have lower back problems. About 8 months ago, I began working with weights with a trainer at my gym once or twice a week, focused entirely on strengthening my core. It's expensive, at times excruciating but I now believe that I was only finally able to finish c25k after 6 years of trying because I worked on stabilizing my rather wobbly mid-section. *There are many smart things you can do ~ eg. eating healthier, sleeping more regular hours, practicing another sport like swimming or yoga, etc ~ that are not only advised for your general health but will also help you become a stronger runner!*
Fun: Exercise used to be a chore for me... usually, it still is. But, for the first time, with this attempt (#4? #5?) at the c25k program, I bought myself a pretty "bullet journal" (empty notebook) and created a space for notes after each of the the 3 weekly runs. I would record things like at what pace I had walked/ run; whether I'd had to repeat it and if so, how many times; which parts of my body felt stiffest afterwards, etc. I began to look forward to returning home, entering the information and comparing to previous weeks. It was proof that, although I didn't finish the program in even close to 9 weeks, I was still absolutely making slow and steady progress. I also let myself buy and download one new song each month that will be good accompaniments to future running (currently, my only runs are with Laura's podcasts, but that will change soon enough). Chatting with all of you, here, and letting your positivity wash over me; having a hearty chuckle with fellow plodders feeling the kindness from Irish-John, OldFloss, FlickM3, RuthL, KingfisherK26, ju-ju and literally countless others: all such a delight! For someone like me, drudgery is a motivation-killer while putting an entertaining twist on the same activity greatly decreases my chances of dropping out. *Find your own, unique ways to make the process as pleasurable as possible!*
Plans: I am a person who enjoys freedom. A strict routine governing every moment of each day is my idea of hell. However, I've learned a certain amount of preparation and organization in fact helps me live the relaxed lifestyle I most appreciate. As a single mama of a small child, I do best when I can embrace both chaos and structure 
The c25K program was absolutely the right program for me, in its combination of flexibility (I could run and progress at my own pace) and order (a plan was laid out for me that I could follow without much thought); left to my own devices, I would have injured myself, quit or both. Weeks before finishing it, I began researching possible "next steps" and came upon the "One Hour Running" program, which is similar to, slightly more advanced than, c25K (but without a podcast narrated by Laura's dulcet tones, alas). I have already set up pages in my bullet journal (notebook) for continuing to make notes and mark progress. I am heading to the gym to do the first run 1HR soon after pressing <enter> on this post. I love having the liberty to fit in a run where I can, during my busy week, but without some basic framework, I'd be lost. *Figure out a system that supports you but doesn't feel uncompromising: what works for your best friend might not work for you.*
Here endeth the novel. xo
Whoohoo! It's graduation day for me, too!!
An old timer needing some feedback from C25Kers
Woo hoo Couch25k completed 
I've finished - I can't believe it! Feel great :-)
BIG NEWS: Couch to 5k+ and \"Strength & Flex\" podcasts are available
