1 Year On....a 5k PB celebration, but more importantly...

[DebJogsOn]

A year ago today I pulled on a pair of hiking trousers (the closest thing to fitness gear I had), a t-shirt I most used for sleeping in and zipped up (yes I kid you not - zipped up) the closest thing to a pair of trainers I possessed and headed out to complete Wk1R1 of C25K. 30 minutes later I shambled back with quivering legs and bursting lungs but I'd started something....

Yes this is one of those C25K affirming posts of the (genuinely) hadn't run since school some 30 years or more ago 40 somethings who has successfully completed the programme and now has proper running shoes (carefully selected following gait analysis of course), a wardrobe full of lycra and who has beaten her 5k time on her runniversary and can happily run 10k ...

BUT I really wanted to write this post today because when I say I can happily run 10k - I mean just that. My 10k is slow (and I've yet to do 5k in less than 32minutes) but it is, very definitely happy. You see when I pulled on that rather bizarre runing outfit a year ago I felt unfit, overwhelmed by work and generally unhappy. I'd already spent two thirds of that summer holiday (I'm a head teacher) promising myself I'd go swimming every day and eat more healthily and make more time for myself (all starting tomorrow of course) and for whatever reason having come across an article on C25K actually decided today's the day and changed my life - literally. I had to find at least 30 minutes three times a week just for me, I developed an interest completely separate from my job, I was getting outside into the fresh air regularly in a way I never had before. I had undisturbed headspace and every tiny improvement made me feel more positive and confident and helped to keep me going and, though I'm a solitary runner and like it that way, there was an amazingly supportive group of people on here to keep me going too.

And now I'm fitter, I've lost about 10lbs (without dieting), I eat more healthily (most of the time), I keep work more in perspective, I love running and I'm happy!

So any one out there wondering if it's worth the effort - it really is. Keep going you'll do things you would never believe you could. And to those of you who've shared your journey and acknowledged some of mine thanks to you for all the motivation and support you provide.

Much love Deb (aka Fitter40s when I began this wonderful adventure).

Happy running 😊 - looking forward to running with you all for another year 🥂.

[MVBrown Graduate]

Wow!! There are no other words to add: 👏👏👏👏👏👏👍🏽Well done and thanks for sharing such a positive post about your success. Also doing a 10k as well.

[DebJogsOn Graduate in reply to MVBrown]

Thank you - C25K has been such a positive experience for me I sometimes want to shout it from the rooftops!

[GTTOBS]

good on ya re efforts and sharing - i am at the start of my journey........🏃‍♂️🤞🏻.......inspiring post, thanks

[DebJogsOn Graduate in reply to GTTOBS]

In that case good luck and enjoy! Where are you up to?

I found it quite difficult in the first 3 weeks but weeks 4-6 were amazing - I couldn't believe how much my body was capable of!

[GTTOBS in reply to DebJogsOn]

Hi - wk2 completed yesterday - got ahead of myself tho, ended up with pretty sore knees for remainder of day - that'll teach me! however help and guidance from community has been fantastic....going in right direction. ta for taking time to reply and happy running!

[DebJogsOn Graduate in reply to GTTOBS]

😊 The worse weeks are over.

[GTTOBS in reply to DebJogsOn]

See what tomorrow brings......👀

[Oldlady57]

Glad you found “me time” Not an easy job. Huge congratulations on continuing your journey 👏👏

[DebJogsOn Graduate in reply to Oldlady57]

The 'me time and the headspace I've gained are definitely some of the most important improvements C25K has brought to my life. It's certainly helped my 'mental fitness' as much as my physical fitness.

[Hidden]

This is powerful and moving. I'm proud of you! Self care in it's truest form.

[DebJogsOn Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes - I just wish I'd found started a bit earlier!

[SANDI_runs Graduate]

A very inspirational post. Well done on all your achievements. I am on w7 now so graduation is in sight and am already loving the improvements c25k has made to my mental and physical health.

[DebJogsOn Graduate in reply to SANDI_runs]

Oh you're really close to graduating now! Look forward to hearing about it 😊

[Equi-geek Graduate]

🍾👏❤️🏃‍♀️🎉🥇🙏

[18Windmill Graduate]

What a fantastic story! Delighted to read your journey. Enjoy the end of your summer break. 👍👍👍

[DebJogsOn Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

I'm hoping the sun might return for a bit! Have some lovely running routes planned 😊

[Tiara1]

This is such a wonderful read. I also found starting this gave me clear head space and changed my view on things. Due to issues at work I stopped for 3 weeks and now want to pick it up as I know the benefit of the head space I gained

[DebJogsOn Graduate in reply to Tiara1]

I was really frustrated in the last half of the summer term as school was just so busy that I couldnt always manage to run when I wanted and ended up doing shorter distances too. Have definitely been making up for it during the holidays.

Can't imagine coping with the stresses of work without running now.

Good luck with getting back to it.

[Liliuk]

Well done and thank you for sharing! I have just graduated and struggle to believe I can improve beyond that in distance (not really bothered about pace). I guess the key is enjoying it 🙂

[DebJogsOn Graduate in reply to Liliuk]

Congrats on your graduation!

I noodled around running for 30 minutes and up to 5k for ages (incidentally I found the C25K + podcasts helpful with that) and then one day at the end of a 5k route I just thought I could keep going and I ran 6.5k - after that it wasn't too hard to get to 10k by just going a bit further each week.

Enjoying it is definitely the key - which is why I haven't done Parkruns or races - because I'd feel under pressure.

[Liliuk in reply to DebJogsOn]

Thank you so much for your advice. I will try this way, I think it would suit me. I wasn't aware of the existence of C25K+ podcasts. I will look out for these 🙂

[Run1980 Graduate]

Big well done!! Great to hear how well you’ve done and that you’ve made time for yourself. I’m on week 6 and love that 30 minutes of me time to clear my head. Happy running 🏃‍♀️

[DebJogsOn Graduate in reply to Run1980]

I love it that you can be alone inside your own head on a run - with no disturbances.

If I tried to get that time any other way it wouldn't happen.

[Run1980 Graduate in reply to DebJogsOn]

Yes I’m the same and I work in a school too which can sometimes be hard having been with kids all day then come home to my own but this helps me destress, hopefully making me a better Mum

[Chef22]

Inspiring to hear from a beginner 👍

[Nicky4 Graduate]

What a lovely story. Well done to you. You’ve given me inspiration following my recent graduation

[DebJogsOn Graduate in reply to Nicky4]

Congrats on your graduation. The fun really does start now. Happy running 😊