C25K changed my life

[unlikelyrunner]

I've been meaning to pop back onto this forum for a while to write a note that I hope might help anyone out there who is struggling to keep going.

I started C25K in July last year, and this time last year was when I discovered this forum and wrote my first post. I was physically and mentally in a hole, 5 stone+ overweight and really glued to the couch. I was encouraged to give C25K a try and was sceptical, as you can tell from the profile name I chose! I found every week hard and spent the first 5 weeks thinking there was NO WAY I would be able to do the next week. I stuck with it, with lots of support from this forum, and I graduated in September.

Like lots of people I struggled a bit at the end of the programme – what do you do after you can run 5K? Some people carry on with 3x30 min runs a week, which is a fantastic achievement. Some push on to 10K and beyond, others might concentrate on running faster etc. I tried a bit of all of the above then discovered triathlon. I could already swim and enjoy cycling, and once I could run too I had the full set. I did my first mini-triathlon (‘super-sprint’) in March, my first ‘sprint’ in June and I have more lined up. I’ve also done a few parkruns (around 1/month), a 7.5K and a 10K run. I have lost a steady 3lb per month without dieting (with a little help from myfitnesspal – my other favourite app). I even braved joining a triathlon club where I linger at the back of the pack, but with great support and encouragement from lovely super-fit people.

That last paragraph sounds like showing off, but the point is that it’s all possible because of C25K, the brilliant app and this fantastic forum. 14 months ago I was as unfit as unfit could be, and pretty miserable with it. I had every excuse under the sun – no time, no shoes, something more important to do etc etc. I suffered through every run but the good feeling you get at the end of it becomes addictive. Actually I still suffer through almost every run, they’re just a bit harder/faster/further now.

So to all of you just setting out, or struggling through the early weeks, just stick with it. I tell everyone who will listen that C25K can change your life. This overweight, middle-aged, working Mum has been transformed and you can be too!

[musicalpolarbear Graduate]

Great post! Well done, that’s an excellent achievement! I aspire to do a triathlon one day. Running is the thing I’ve never cracked. Very encouraging to read posts like yours! Thank you!

[unlikelyrunner Graduate in reply to musicalpolarbear]

Stick with it musicalpolarbear! Triathlon is great fun.

[telford_mike Graduate]

Wow, what a great story! So glad it all worked out for you, a truly inspirational post!

[unlikelyrunner Graduate in reply to telford_mike]

Thanks t_m!

[Dexy5 Graduate]

What a wonderful story unlikelyrunner. You are an inspiration to many who are wondering if they will get there. 👏👏

[unlikelyrunner Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you D5! You WILL get there.

[unlikelyrunner Graduate in reply to unlikelyrunner]

Actually I just looked at your posts - you are already there!

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to unlikelyrunner]

Yes I got there in May and am now enjoying 3 runs a week, including a parkrun. It’s been life changing for me too @ 60.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Ooh I want to do triathlon. Well done 💪🏽👌🏽

[unlikelyrunner Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

What's stopping you? 🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️👍

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to unlikelyrunner]

Don’t know where to start. I’ve researched go-tri but nothing jumps out at me as being a good place to start. It’s the unknown and thinking I’ll be the worst. I’ll probably just carry on going to watch the World Series in Leeds each year, and each year say, I want to do a mini triathlon 🙄 Plus I’m a slow runner and not skilled at cycling nor swimming.

[unlikelyrunner Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

There are loads of good beginner tri's around plus the big events will often have a novice distance/wave. I worried about being last too because all I had ever seen were on the TV! It's just like parkrun - there are some super fit impressive fast people and there are loads of people - all shapes and sizes - just giving it a try. Look up try-tri too - that was my first one.

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to unlikelyrunner]

Will do thank you 😊

Edit- every club is down south for try tri 🤷🏽‍♀️

[HelenB1 in reply to Tasha99]

Hi there .... I haven’t been on the site for a while ... however, still running .... and swimming and biking!! I noticed your post and wondered if you had taken the plunge and looked for an event? Reason being .... you mentioned the Leeds WTS .... I went the year before last (2017), and absolutely loved the atmosphere .... I had wanted to enter the ‘swim only’ event, but was too scared, so decided I would go and watch, with the intention of entering the following year. This year, when I went to enter the ‘swim only’, there wasn’t one 😔, so I decided to enter the GoTRI event - 200m swim, 10k bike, 5km run ...... and I absolutely loved it!!! I have since done another GoTRI, and also a Sprint distance.

If you’re still contemplating, just give it a go .... the GoTRI events are really achievable, and the only challenge, I feel, is with yourself! Everybody is super friendly, and soooo encouraging! 😊

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to HelenB1]

Awe thank you! I don’t think I could swim that far and I don’t like swimming either 😂 maybe a duathlon would be better?

[HelenB1 in reply to Tasha99]

Never say never ... there’s always a first time, and plenty of time to learn before June!! The atmosphere is amazing .... everyone cheers everyone on!!

However, you may be right - a duathlon may be your event if the swim puts you off - Have you managed to find anything suitable?

I’ve just entered a sprint triathlon, as part of the Castle Triathlon Series - they have multi sport events and run over a weekend, at multiple Castle locations, so hoping for a similar atmosphere to Leeds! Why not take a look? 🤭 🏃🏻‍♀️🚴🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to HelenB1]

Hmmm I’ll think it through. I think I’d need a partner to go with me. Haven’t written the idea off yet though. I’ll look into the castle series. Thank you!

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Wow!!!! That's inspirational! Well done you! Am going to start swimming regularly as well as running. Cycling and me - we are not friends!!!! Broke bones in my back 30 years ago cycling. Avoid it now. 😀😀😀

[unlikelyrunner Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

Aquathon for you then!

[Ang33333 Graduate in reply to unlikelyrunner]

Sounds interesting!! 😁

[SendWine Graduate]

Amazing, just shows you can do anything if you put your mind to it 🤗 well done

[MVBrown Graduate]

WOW - what an inspiration for us setting out on the programme. Hats off to you. I’m definitely going to give this my all.

I guess you didn’t set out to be a triathlete when you started. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏. But what a huge change in your life.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful inspirational life story with me.

Thanks again.

MVBROWN

[unlikelyrunner Graduate in reply to MVBrown]

Triathlon couldn't have been further from my mind when I set out! Thanks for your lovely comment and good luck!

[Realveggie]

Thank you for your inspiring post...I just started this week and being similar to your starting point I feel their is hope for me yet!

[unlikelyrunner Graduate in reply to Realveggie]

Best of luck - you have already done the hardest bit!

[Vix_yp Graduate]

Fantastic post unlikelyrunner!

Thank you for sharing your story. You are a huge inspiration and testament to how great this programme is.

I’m on my final week of C25K and have already noticed the mental and physical benefits. I’m keen to continue running and possibly even venture onto the 10k programme in the future. This forum is such a great space to share experiences and for advice and support. I’m so pleased that I started C25K, as it has changed my life too.🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️

[unlikelyrunner Graduate in reply to Vix_yp]

There must be a small army of us C25k evangelists out there! Massive congrats on reaching week 9 - graduation approaches!

[Vix_yp Graduate in reply to unlikelyrunner]

Thank you!....and ABSOLUTELY!

😀😀😀

[Mayanow]

You are an amazing woman!!! A true inspiration. I enjoyed your post so much- thank you!

Well done on ALL your accomplishments. And i'm sure you've got more challenges to outbrave!

OH AND...

Change your nickname to FEARLESS! 😘

[unlikelyrunner Graduate in reply to Mayanow]

Ha ha - brilliant! Thank you!

[DebJogsOn Graduate]

Yay!

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate]

Love it. So amazing! 😍

[LapoftheGods Graduate]

What an inspirational post. I love the idea of triathlon; you’ve certainly given me something to think about when I finish this journey ( I’ve only started today though ) 😊

[unlikelyrunner Graduate in reply to LapoftheGods]

Stick with it and anything is possible! Very well done for the hardest run of all!

[slowsue]

Fantastic well done 👍

[Saartjie Graduate]

Amazing Where this programme gets us! Well done for achieving what you have. Absolutely brilliant 👏👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Oh wow unlikelyrunner, thank you for your inspirational post! You have achieved so very much - and now you’re doing triathlon? Kudos!!! 👍🏻🏃‍♂️👍🏻

I’m a recent graduate and love running. I agree, this app and this forum are fabulous! People like you help, so thank you! 👏👏👏👏

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

A brilliant advert for C25K...............

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Beanjo Graduate]

That’s fantastic encouragement. I’ve just graduated and like you spent the first 5 weeks doubting I could do it. Took me that long to join the forum but so glad I did.

Huge respect for doing the triathlons and the longer runs. I’m just consolidating the 3 x 30 minute runs at the moment but who knows what the future holds?

Thanks for posting 👍😊🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[unlikelyrunner Graduate in reply to Beanjo]

I did exactly the same - I joined the forum when I was flagging half way through the programme. Very well done for graduating and consolidating. I found the couple of months after graduating quite hard because I missed the structure of C25K. Good luck with finding your next challenge!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

What a totally wonderful post..I think it’s a great idea that we pop back over the fence to our C25k friends & assure them that wherever they are on the programme & however impossible it may seem...it’s not...you can do it..you WILL do it...it’s a journey that’s full of surprises...sometimes disappointment, frustration, heart break...but, all those feelings are over ruled by the satisfaction and pure joy of a successful run..bad runs, or practice runs, all add stamina & kms in the bank...I feel like I’ve come so far & achieved so much...I’m currently on week 7 (first run poss tomora) of the 10k programme, I never, ever thought I’d run 2kms but now I’m up to 9kms!!! Still cannot believe it...stick with it everybody pleeeeeeeeeze!! ...you will not regret a single step, I promise xxx

[MandiV]

What a great post unlikelyrunner! Thanks for sharing and well done to you for your achievements!!

[Janeym1]

You are such an inspiration and clearly a complete convert! Thank you for your post

[MandiV]

Ps I’ve been looking at them there tri-wotsits...