Hello there lovely fellow runners,
I have realised that since I started the Bridge to 10k challenge, I don't post on this forum as often as I should, so I wanted to share with you how I'm getting on.
I graduated from C25K way back in November, I ran the last few weeks of it whilst battling a knee injury that, looking back, I was in denial about, so had to take a couple of weeks off after graduation. Then the weather got bad, so I only really feel I've been able to consolidate the work I did on C25K from the spring onwards. So - what have I learned from doing Couch to 5K?
Well first of all, the programme really works. I was not fit at all when I started, after W1R1 I was both overjoyed that I'd completed it, and considering giving up there and then. I made a choice though; I've given up on too many things in my life. My degree, various jobs, my marriage (yup), I was NOT going to give up on this. My mental health was in a pretty bad state, I was quite badly depressed, I needed to get up out of my little nest of self-pity and actually do something positive for myself. Enter C25K of course.
At various points I doubted whether I could do this, but once I realised, from seeing other people progress, that this really works, I gave up doubting. Also I think as for many, week 5 run 3 was a turning point. That was my first serious distance run, and I did it first time. I could hardly believe it. From then on, it became not "if" I complete this, but "when". And in the end, on 5th November 2017 (I think), I did my week 9 run 3.
I started working towards 10K nearly 4 weeks ago, by following ju-ju- 's plan, which is really good fun. The reason I'm posting this is that I just ran for 8k solidly. It took me 1 hour and 1 minute to run it , but I did it, and I feel great. This program works folks!
If you'd told me I'd be running 8k continuously, when I started C25K, I would not have thought I was capable, but the trick here is just to look as far as the next run. After 5k I thought that was my limit, and didn't think there was any way I could have managed 8, but having accidentally run 6.5k, I realised working towards 10k was in reach, so I've just gradually worked my way up for the last few weeks. I ran 8k with no problems, and I'm confident I can get to 10.
So - if you're struggling in C25K, believe in yourself, and trust the programme. If it works for a complete former fitness-phobe like me, it can work for you. And the effect on my mental health is nothing short of incredible. I have more energy, I'm more positive, and I believe in myself again.
So go on - what are you waiting for? You can do it!
Neil
p.s. Use the forum here for support, everyone's amazing!!