Hello!

[Suse70]

At 47 I'm 2 years in to trying to get fit for the first time in my life. Still trying to find a form of exercise I actually enjoy! Not sure it's possible, don't think I'm a natural athlete! Just completed W3R2 & I'm not sure I can say I enjoyed it but it's not as horrible as some other things I've tried. Certainly enjoying the post run smugness. This is my first post but I have read lots of posts on here & just want to thank you all for the inspiration to keep going with this.

[SPrunning Graduate]

I agree, the satisfaction is often only after you've done the run!! Keep going, I found in about week five that it became a habit which made it much easier to force myself out to run. Your cat is beautiful but not setting a good example on the exercise front!

[Suse70 Graduate in reply to SPrunning]

Ha ha, thank you! Yes, perhaps not the best role model. Thanks too for the words of encouragement. Each week I have met the increase in runs with a mixture of trepidation & excitement but I do hope I get to the point that it is a habit & even possibly enjoyable!

[Flyingred Graduate]

Well done for sticking with it. The pleasure of the post-run smugness is the thing to aim for in keeping the motivation going.

I would never describe myself as a natural athlete either, but I've found the programme really addictive and as you progress you'll find you feel stronger and more confident in being able to run the longer intervals.

I wish I'd had the benefit of a progressive programme like this at school (where if you didn't do the time/distance you were written off as useless).

[Suse70 Graduate in reply to Flyingred]

Thank you for the encouragement. I know what you mean re school. Those of us who didn't initially demonstrate any apptitude we're pretty much left to our own devices with all the focus given to those that shone. I too wish I had done something like this years ago but better late than never. Perhaps this is our time to shine!

[Flyingred Graduate in reply to Suse70]

Exactly. It's never too late!

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

I know just what you mean Nasus, I didn't enjoy it to begin with either. But when the runs got longer, I realized that after the first ten minutes I settled in and began to enjoy it. Took a few runs more to stop hating the first ten minutes. I've hurt my foot and can't run for a few weeks, and I blooming hate NOT being able to run, so hang in there, as your body gets used to what is being asked of it, it does get easier and more enjoyable x

[Suse70 Graduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thanks Grumpygirl, that is good to know, hopefully I can stick with it and get to that point. Sorry to hear that you have hurt your foot, must be so frustrating. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Suse70 Graduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Sorry, missed the 'o!d', just didn't see it!

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate in reply to Suse70]

Haha, I don't mind anyone missing out the old! 😂 And thanks, hopefully I won't be out of action for too long.

[Pippayoungart Graduate]

It’s always hard to get yourself out there but as ju-ju- said in one of her posts - you never regret a run afterwards! I had never done sport before C25k and can’t quite believe i am where i am now so keep going! You get to a point where the feeling you get after a run is sufficient motivation to start one!

[Suse70 Graduate in reply to Pippayoungart]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. It really is inspiring to hear from people who have been there and made it all the way to the end. I'm grateful to everyone who takes the time to offer these words of encouragement, it really helps.

[Fernshome]

Hello I am a 55 year old unfit grandma who started this so I could run when my five year old granddaughter said let’s go! lol until now I have never done any sport other than walking which I have always loved as I have always had a dog and it has always been my me time...I graduated two weeks ago I have done one parkrun and a 5k for charity. I don’t know who this new person is but I like her. I still don’t understand how this program works but it truly does... The support on this forum is awesome 👏 I truly believe you will be amazed by how great you will feel if you continue. Good luck and keep posting please

[Suse70 Graduate in reply to Fernshome]

Aw thanks! Genuinely loving the support & encouragement on here, and hearing everybodys' stories. I can't stop now as I'd be letting everyone down, lol.

[Sweatyfaced Graduate]

I had a hate-hate relationship with running from school cross-country right up until week 7. Then suddenly it clicked!! And now I love it!

I barely managed week 2 and had to repeat a run in it BUT this morning I went out for a glorious 12k in the gorgeous rain. So I have amazed myself and I suspect you will find you amaze yourself too... this running thing, it is bug you catch and can't shift or an addictive drug you can't stop. Somehow, at some point, it will probably get you too... happy journey of discovery!

[Suse70 Graduate in reply to Sweatyfaced]

Thanks Sweatyfaced. I really hope you are right as thus far in my life I have only ever been addicted to things that are bad for you! Long way to go but with the support on here I'm really optimistic that I can make it.... eventually.

[Sweatyfaced Graduate in reply to Suse70]

I was terrified as i had managed to quit everything else in my life the moment it got hard before doing c25k; but the programme is so good. And you can somehow make yourself do it until suddenly it clicks... you'll be brilliant, you just need to stick out the tough bits. I am trying to learn that anything worth doing is worth sticking through the tough bits for...

[Suse70 Graduate in reply to Sweatyfaced]

Funny you should say that as I also had a bit of habit of quitting things when they got too difficult. Only recently have come to realise, like you, that most worthwhile things are not easy & require a bit of effort. Has taken me a while to learn this lesson!