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!
Written by
unlikelyrunner
Graduate
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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!
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.
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.
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! 😊
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? 🤭 🏃🏻♀️🚴🏻♀️🏃🏻♀️
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!
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. 😀😀😀
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.🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️
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 ) 😊
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?
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!
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
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