1 year ago today I wandered out of my front door into an unknown world. Clad in a pair of old shorts, a cotton tee shirt and my trusty old Nike Air trainers this was to be C25K week 1 run 1. What would it be like? Am I mad? Will it be painful? Will I regret it?
Well a couple of days later I found this website and posted thus:
"Hi gang! I completed my second c25k session of week 1 yesterday and am thoroughly enjoying it!
The app has sat on my phone for almost a year whilst I plucked up the courage/motivation to use it. Chiefly I felt that being badly overweight would lead to me just giving up quickly and just deleting it as a bad job.
After sensibly losing 49lbs since May 2016 I took on the challenge. Well 1 minute doesn't seem so long now! Good music hides the heavy breathing and regular encouragement from Michael Johnson feels personal!
The sense of achievement and the energy I feel for the rest of the day make it thoroughly worthwhile! "
Wind the clock forward a year and 1 half marathon, 36 park runs, umpteen sub 30 minute 5ks, dozens of 10ks later you could say that the answers to my first day questions were all positive! The changes in clothing to include running shoes and figure hugging lycra (Oh yeah, it's as bad as it sounds!!) are the minor changes, my physical & mental well being are in a different league and my thighs can bend lamp posts!
If you're starting out on the journey, well done and good luck. If you've finished the programme and want to continue then there are loads of friends on here to keep you on your toes.
Good luck everyone!
Written by
lardofale
Graduate
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I will have more than one word this time Lardofale, but as you say to have had thought to yourself as being mad that first week and then go on to achieve all you have in that past year is amazing. To complete a half marathon, 36 park runs with so many sub 30 minutes is as I wrote on my first post a really big WOW. Tomorrow I start on my final week of C25K, so far I have kept 100% to the program and not needed to repeat any runs. Hopefully, once I complete run 3 and graduate, I will as they say consolidate with a few 30 minute runs then up it to 40 minutes gradually by the 10% rule which I think is increasing the running by 3 minutes a week. Once I am up to 40 minutes I will run on a recognised 5K route that I know and was a spectator at last year near to where I live, but I doubt if I will be able to run a 30-minute sub 5k on that course, more like 40 minutes despite my weight at a reasonable 10st 5 lbs.
It sounds like you've hit on the perfect formula. Precisely how I did it, no biting off too much too soon. This programme not only sorts out your ability to run for certain amounts of time but subtly tunes your brain into sticking to a tried and tested formula, an ability which should carry on after graduation. It worked a treat for my half marathon training and stopped me from trying to run 10 miles before I could run 5! Best of luck for this week, that graduate badge is within your grasp!
An update to you Lardofale, this morning 13th June between 9 am and 9.30 am I completed run 1 of week 9, the 30 minute non-stop run, according to my app I ran it at a 07.13/km pace compared to a 08.44/km pace for run 3 of week 7 which was the 25 minute one.
Just wow... 👍👍 amazing and nice way to put it across ... you are role model for ppl like us who are still on crossroads of going ahead or going back ..
Thank you! The running bug took hold pretty quickly, I wouldn't even run to the chip shop before so it's a massive change in my lifestyle. If my story inspires you and others then I'm chuffed! Good luck to you! ;0)
Thank you. I'm a pretty positive chap generally but the running certainly tests it at times. It's all for the better though, well I tell myself that at 5 in the morning when I'm running up hill in the rain!! Good luck to you ;0)
Thank you, you're too kind. I remember reading the stuff written by people who had done it or were doing it when I started last June and thinking the same thing. I'm chuffed to think people are using my story in the same way ;0)
Hey Jan! Thank you for that! Time flies when you're having fun doesn't it! My graduation runniversary is in August so I'm going to be greedy and celebrate that too!
Wow what an achievement and definitely an inspiration. I’m on w6 R2 and I’m definitely starting to get the feeling of becoming addicted. I can definitely tell what a difference it is making both physically and mentally and this is from someone who just couldn’t run for toffee. Well done.
Thank you! You're on the home straight, strange to say that when the time increases but I found that to be the fun bit with those pesky walking bits finally out of the way! Allow yourself a smug smile as you power past the initiated pedestrians! ;0)
Thank you! I hope it helps, I'm still amazed that I've done it. I've even entered another half marathon for this October, perhaps I am mad after al....! ;0)
Not just you... my sister in law does Ultras... makes my measly 10k look like a Sunday stroll! 🤣🤣🤣 it's whatever makes each of us happy... we can't all be the same 👍😁
Ha ha! Almost broke my hand slapping them the other day! ;0)
Happy Runniversary lardofal!. This running business is epic and so are you! I just had my 1st running birthday the other week too. I cant believe how starting with one little minute run has been the first step in changed lives
Ha thank you! It's mad isn't it?! It's almost as if I've taken the lift in Westworld from lazyworld to running nut job world! Fewer killer robots though! ;0)
Thank you sir! It was a slog to start with but it's definitely been worth it. As for the gloves it's chilly by the sea............slopes off wishing he'd uploaded a no gloves version :0)
Thank you! I hope people can get some inspiration from what I've written. My other posts follow a similar pattern but that's because I'm so pleased with what I've got out of C25K👍April 2016 I was 18 stone and a non runner, now I'm 13 stone 12 and love running 🤘 as I say "If I can, anyone can!!"
Thank you! Lots of people are saying that, I'm a little bit blown away by the responses 👍 I've been lucky enough to stay injury free too which has allowed me to do all of that stuff. C25K is a game changer, hope your post graduation running is going well 😁
Yes this programme is really fantastic Only just graduated so finding my way, via a small detour to the IC. Hope to be back out there as soon as I'm allowed!
Hi lardofale, Thank you so much for your one year on post. It is lovely to hear from those who have continued. I have just read many of your posts to glean come more about your journey. You certainly seem to have found something you enjoy and have progressed amazingly. Wow! And double wow!I think that I particularly noticed how you stayed slow and steady for quite a while. I'm in week 3 of post grad and run before 6am. It is amazing how one's behaviour can change. I was wondering what cold dark mornings would be like, so can see that audio books would help. My tech skills are lacking, so I have shall have to look into that. All the very best for your onward running journey. 🏃🏃🏃
Thank you for your response, that's a fantastic piece 👍 I was full of doubt at first but being a determined chap I persevered and managed to get through the programme in 9 weeks. The post graduation stuff I just got on with without any real plan but quickly settled into a routine. The odd goal or two helps give a little extra focus. Good to see you are getting going post grad, good luck and happy running 😁👍
I'm loving my 'new life'. I run every other day and have enjoyed getting to 10k. I'm fitter, have lost weight, look better and best of all manage my work stress and feel more positive about everything.
Would never have believed it last August when I shambled out for Wk1 R1 in leisure shoes with zips on!! 😊😂
So good to hear about your amazing journey. That’s so inspiring. Half marathon! Go you!!! Well done and thanks for sharing your story and encouragement! ❤️
Thank you mam! It's worth being freaked out by reflected cats eyes (real ones in hedges! 😱) at 4:30 in the morning in darkest winter when training for a half marathon, honest!! 😀
Thank you Jan, hope all's well with you. I don't have the tunes with me as often as I used to but I do enjoy dipping into your lists from time to time!
Well done on all your acheivements. Its great to be able to reflect over that first year. On that first day. I bet you never though you would be completing a HM?
Your post shows those just starting just out how much this program can change lives.
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