Stick With it, I did and am about to run a Marathon

[Treacle3]

I started the couch to 5k in December 15. After my first run I couldn't even unlock the door to get in our apartment I felt so ill. The minute runs felt so long and the minute rest felt so short.

I stuck with it and after week 2 I started to look forward to my runs.

Once the runs started to get longer I was filled with fear but was surprised how quickly you get used to them.

The couch to 5k app is so good at getting you in the habit of running.

When I ran my first 5k I was so tired, my husband was setting me targets of landmarks to run to and wouldn't let me stop. I was so excited but exhausted when I had done it.

I carried on with the 3 runs a week routine and soon found I was able carry on to 6k, within 2 months of doing the first 5k I ran my first 8k.

In May 16 I ran my 1st 10k.

My husband then convinced me to enter a half marathon. I really worked hard through the summer and in September 16 10 months after I tried to run for the first time I ran 21.1km in 2.5 hrs.

By this point I had the bug and immediately entered another half marathon which I did 6 months later in April 17 in 2hr 18.

I moved to Australia in October 17 and joined a running group to make friends, my new running buddies were all way better than me and over the past 8 months I have used them to build speed and stamina and also felt confident enough to enter my first Marathon.

The past 4 months have seen my running improve no end. I have run a 24 min 5k, a 1hr 57 half marathon and next Sunday I am going to run my first Marathon. I am so scared but really excited at the same time. To think how far I have come in the past 2.5 years makes me really emotional. I struggled to run for a minute and next week I will run for 4.5 hrs. If I can do it then anyone can.

[Runninginsingapore]

Wow! That is amazing. Well done 👍

[Christianne57 Graduate]

What a great post 😊 very inspiring 😊

Just graduated C25K and a bit apprehensive and have a mental block about being able to progess further. Daft really as doing 5k was a major achievement for me...but I did it

I have loved reading your success story and it has given me confidence that its possible and made me determined to push on & try for 10k

Thank you for sharing and wishing you happy ruñning in beautiful Australia

🏵🏵🏵🏵🏵🏵🏵🏵

[Treacle3 in reply to Christianne57]

Keep going just add a little bit each week and you will soon be at 10k. I still find the first 5k the hardest. Don't give up.

Try going to a parkrun too. Regularly running 5k with other people helps heaps.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Fabulous! 👏👏👏

Good luck for your marathon!! 👍😁🏅

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Hard work pays dividends.

Good luck with your marathon and thanks for posting.

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Wow - that is just awesome. Well done.

[M5Buff5]

What an inspiring post - thanks! Well done and good luck for the Marathon!

[over61andstilltrying Graduate]

Hello Treacle3, Wow! Wow! Wow! What a story! Thank you for writing about it. All the very, very best for your Marathon. I am wondering whether your husband is a runner or whether he just wanted to make you into one! And also what sort of age you are. Well done you! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Treacle3 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

My husband is a runner. He had done a few half marathons before I started running but part of the reason for pushing me to do a half marathon was that he was training for his first marathon and it eased the guilt of spending all his time running. He did another marathon when I did my second half and is now preparing for his 3rd Marathon in 5 weeks. He is crazy, he did one marathon 4 weeks ago, one 10days ago and another with me next week.

I am 37 and was 35 when I started running. I have no kids so am at the advantage of being able to train easily

[Treacle3 in reply to Treacle3]

I forgot to say one of our running friends did the c25k aged 60 and ran a marathon 6 months later. He is about to do his 9th marathon next Sunday at the grand age of 67

[over61andstilltrying Graduate in reply to Treacle3]

Thank you for these added parts of your running journey. There is no doubt that the world is made up of so many different types of precious people. Some who run marathons and some who don't! More wows! Wow! Wow! I do hope the marathon next week with your husband goes well, I should imagine that he is thrilled with your amazing progress. 🏃🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️

[over61andstilltrying Graduate in reply to over61andstilltrying]

I do hope that your friend's 9th marathon goes well too. I am shaking my head in amazement!

[Equi-geek Graduate]

Wow Treacle3! That’s brilliant! What an incredible achievement. It’s great how you’ve found the right people to help you along the way. Very best of luck with your marathon - please do let us know how you get on!

[Jason888 Graduate]

What a great post 🤓 good luck with the marathon. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate]

Inspirational - 😮 thank you! And good luck for your marathon 🍀. You’ll smash it!

[aliboo70]

Fantastic post! You have done brilliantly !make sure you post about your marathon! Exciting times. Are you a member of the marathon running and race support forum we'd love to see you on there too! 😊

[Beccy8348E]

Wow!! Thank you for the incredibly motivational post. What an inspiration and best of luck for your marathon, not that it sounds like you need any luck at all.

Really well done!! 👏👏👏👏

[Elfe5 Graduate]

That’s a wonderful journey! 😃

Enjoy your marathon. 😄

[Pippayoungart Graduate]

Incredible! Your determination is awesome!

[Treacle3]

I did it!!!!!! Today I am so sore but yesterday I conquered the Gold Coast Marathon in 4 hrs 27mins. The first 30kms were ok, I managed to keep at a good pace but I slowed as the midday sun got warmer and the last 12ks were a mixture of running and walking the water stations. I am so pleased I did this and so grateful to the c25k program for getting me into running.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate in reply to Treacle3]

Wow!!! Congrats on such a phenomenal accomplishment. You just never know where C25k May take you! Thank you so much for sharing!

[ripple1973 Graduate in reply to Treacle3]

What an inspiration you are! Massive congratulations! You are amazing!

[YoureDoingGreatPet]

Superb. An inspiration to us all. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Congratulations on your fantastic achievement