Sat on the IC I’ve had time to ponder (a little impatiently) what C25K does for us….apart from the obvious improvements to physical health - toning of muscles and tightening of flab; strengthening of lungs; fitness; lowering of cholesterol; blood pressure; balancing of stress hormones; sweating out of toxins; blah, blaherty, blah. It clears, strengthens and trains the mind, helps us to cope and gives us a breather from the daily grind, our personal lives and things that life chucks at us. Allows us time to think - or not, whichever we need. It gives us discipline - a seemingly unpopular trait these days.
For me, all this is now a very welcome and hugely appreciated side effect to the original hope of simply to be able to run for 30 minutes and / or 5k. I never expected for one minute to get all these other benefits (well, I hoped I might get a body like Jessica Ennis, but that hasn’t quite happened yet….. Can I get my money back??), but I’d heard about the possibilities and hoped some of it would rub off on me. And it certainly has. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth the persistence and finding my own way through the difficulties.
What I didn’t expect was that I would actually find my own way. I had hope that I wouldn’t give up, but I also thought at some point I would give up. I wasn’t sure I had it in me. Ordinary, old (ish), overweight me, non-exerciser for many years, having tried different sports on and off, ultimately giving up it a big guff of shame… never really getting into anything or feeling like I could be a part of anything or good enough at anything and mightily intimidated by sporty-types, givin’ it large.
Then, with this programme, I do it. And I’m so ridiculously chuffed I could burst. And I start to build a quiet confidence in myself that wasn’t there before. I can run for 30 mins….I can run 5k…. I can run for an hour….I can run 10k (well, I could before the IC!), has all lead to a subtle new assurance that transfers into all of my life. Because I can bloody well do it, don’t you know . I am now doing things I never, ever thought I would - going to the gym, attending exercise classes, sticking my bottom up in a downward dog without trying to pull my top down over it at the same time (just not possible ) and not caring. This is huge. Yes - both my bottom and the fact that I don’t care. Yippee! I value myself more at work, my own worth and I have the courage to try and change the things that aren’t right for me anymore. And all of this as a direct result of putting one foot in front of the other for 30 mins.
This isn’t a ‘me, me look at me’ post (really, please don’t look at my downward dog); it’s to say that I am no different to anyone else who feels like they can’t make it or shouldn’t do it…. Having been that person for all of my life But also that the perks of running go far deeper than what we obviously know and see. Running: refreshes the parts other sports can not reach
We are never really too old, too fat, too unfit, too sportingly inept to achieve and succeed at this. For anyone starting out or struggling, yes it can be hard at times but it’s not impossible, our bodies are truly amazing at adapting once they realise what the hell is going on….and this forum is just wonderful to help you through…. it’s all about making it work for you, at your own pace (s-l-o-w-l-y of course!), in your own way. So many of us have, it’s truly possible x
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Fishypieface
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Agree with GoGo-JoJo 😀 Your experiences are the thing that demonstrates the advantages! (Sorry I am sales rep by day and often find I slip into business speak without thinking!) can’t think of better words tho! X
Oh my, you've brought tears to my eyes. 100% bang on.
It's not just about running at all. It's about self belief, self esteem and self respect. Yes, we bloody can!! If we want it we CAN do it and sod what anyone else thinks.
Bless you 🌼 here's to lessons learned on the sidelines! 🥂👍😁
I was doing yoga at home sometime ago wearing a baggy jumper and doing downward dog. Kitten walked into the room, took one look at the new hammock that had appeared and promptly jumped in and settled down for a sleep! Needless to say I now think of this as kitty hammock.
Hey FPF, sorry you are still broken but happy to see that your humour, optimism and ability to write a great post remain intact. Its about a year since I started (wish I had made a note of the date!) and I am feeling quite reflective about this whole process because of the anniversary. Running has truly changed my life and my feelings about myself. I hope that you will be fixed very soon x
Thanks very much! Hopefully I'll be back at it in a few weeks.
It's such a great thing c25k, so easily accessible for all different types of people and life-changing like you say. All anyone need do is give it a go and the rest will follow. I started at the end of May last year and I've learned so much since then, it's been the best kind of eye-opener I could have wished for x
Lovely, lovely post Fishypieface ...I remember first reading your posts & you have come such a long way...its true, we all have our hurdles to cross, some more than others & everyone deals with those hurdles differently but when you have running, you have an extra weapon to help you deal with them...it’s been a pleasure following your journey fishy...I’m proud of you & how far you’ve come...this forum wouldn’t be the same without you 😘 xx
Thanks my lovely xx I've been having a bit of a think about it all, my journey and all that. I know we all feel the same and we are a team on here, encouraging, supporting each other. I'm so proud to be a part of it and at the same time I can't quite believe that I am and I've got this far! I just hope I can inspire others like me to give it a go
Very well said!! The physical benefits are expected. The mental and emotional benefits to running have far exceeded my expectations, and have changed my outlook for the future.
Great post Fishypieface! I’m with you all the way on that! I would also like to add about the great sense of kind and supportive community here. I’m doing mine to get my diabetic sugar numbers down and I believe it’s working!!!
Yaaaaaaaay! Cheering for you so loudly I expect you heard me (wherever you live)!! Thanks for such a great post. Very motivational! Mend soon and run on! 😄
Thank you so much for that! My plan is to start tomorrow after work with run 1 - I’ve got the clothes out to take to work with me but I’m gripped with doubt and full of anxiety about no being able to do it and feeling more ashamed of what I have become (having been a super fit swimmer and slim meticulous exerciser in my younger days) and embarrassing myself! My self esteem is 👎 at the moment! I definitely need a boost!
You will be able to do it! And anything you do will be so much better than sitting in the couch not doing it! Take it slowly, a gentle jog is good. I bet you will be secretly chuffed by the end of it. Let us all know how you get on, everyone on here is so lovely and will be full of support for you. Good luck! 😊
Great post Fishy! You are a great example of the benefits of C25k! You're early posts of doing the programme in your garden so to not be seen, to venturing out to the rec centre (which were always my favourite posts of yours! The characters you wrote about were hilarious 😂), to now joining a gym and being comfortable in your body now to do yoga with others (nothing like putting that tushy up in the air with downward dog). You have come a long way baby! Running Power 💪🏃♀️😁
Running power, exactly that! Everything it can do for us, well it's quite unbelievable really...and I'm feeling grateful, like I need to spread the word! Now I know what missionaries feel like!
I hope your work has calmed down now? Or that there is light at the end of the tunnel for you very soon x
Unfortunately I'm still in the thick of it at work and we keep getting nailed with more snow and cold weather on the days I could run so it feels like forever since I ran. They are forecasting above zero daytime highs next week so fingers are crossed for a run next week. I can definitely feel it physically and mentally that I haven't been running or doing anything for myself lately. Just keep truckin' on though. This too shall pass and then it'll be some lovely summer lake runs 🤞
You deserve every beautiful summer lake run you can get, having to poke up with all this in the meantime. I know you will savour every second as soon as you get the chance and it will be all the more sweeter, having endured an endless winter.
We are embarrassingly moany about the weather in the UK by comparison!!
What a truly wonderful post fishy my friend (another benefit, new friends) and you have put into words how I'm sure so many of us feel about the changes that have/are happening to us xxx
Well longest run to date is 11.5 miles however have struggled with injury myself and have only run twice since march 10th but seem to be back at it now so still have my hm in my sights
Over all though I am physically in a much better place than before I started and mentally, well it gives you time to reflect
Thank you lovely Sadie. I will be back... one day (hopefully soon). 2018 has seamlessly flowed from one health disaster to another, but I’m determined to kick ar$e as soon as I can...!! 😘
What a bugger, you poor thing. When you are well and ready, be sure to let us know so we can cheer you on. It will be a triumphant comeback, I just know it! 😘
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. I am now doing things I never, ever thought I would - going to the gym, attending exercise classes, sticking my bottom up in a downward dog without trying to pull my top down over it at the same time (just not possible 
My first runniversary - encouragement for new C25Kers
Persevere, C25kers. You'll be glad you did.
Help please lovely c25kers!!!!
W6R3 - Mad Dogs and C25kers...
