I discovered the NHS podcast in April and decided to try that route to 5K (as against the apps I used in the past). I’ve been a regular walker for the last 7 years doing 8-10 km thrice a week, so didn’t see myself as unfit or overweight (46 years / 68 kgs), but being inspired by friends and colleagues participating in marathons, I decided to try to switch to running.
2016 was the first year I tried a C25K app and while I completed the program, I was disappointed that I wasn’t able to run 5K in 30 minutes. It took me 40 minutes of hard effort to complete 5K in the run I had signed up for and it extracted so much out of my knees that I stopped running altogether. I tried another app in 2017 and but to drop off the program with a recurrence of knee pain soon after reaching the 20 minute runs.
This history worried me as I started again this April but the biggest difference this year has been this community. Not being comfortable with social media, I decided not to jinx my effort by posting anything, but instead read and re-read the posts (old and new) everyday.
A special call out to 2 folks:- (i) Iannodatruffe - for his analytical posts including links to other sites / research which covered the techniques of running & (ii) Oldfloss - for her constant reiteration of the 'snail’s pace' dictum. Without these inputs, I’m sure I would have repeated the mistake of prior years and pushed for speed. Instead, by staying slow, I’ve managed to remain injury free this time around. Many thanks also to the sharers, whose posts during their journeys have benefited silent members like me.
I still don’t get the high from running that a lot of folks speak of, but have signed up for a 10K in September and hope to build up to the distance by then using Ju-Ju’s plan. Eventually, I’m hoping to entirely switch my fitness routine over from walking to running.
This community is an amazingly positive place and is the key to success for anyone embarking on a running habit. Thank you all.
Graduated 🍾🍾🍾
Graduated W9R3 and so pleased with myself
Can’t believe it I’ve Graduated 
This Runner 5 has now graduated! 
Graduated !
