What has happened?

[Catho7]

Having hated running all my life, I started C25K with the view of probably not finishing the whole programme but at least being a bit fitter by maybe getting to week 5 or 6.

I have lurked on here and taken heed of the fantastic encouragement given to others as well as the comments about pitfalls to avoid (eg. being overconfident at the start of week 6). I surprised myself by managing to conquer each week and even started to look forward to the next jogging session. Without reading posts on here I would have ignored the rest days and probably injured myself. Thank you to everybody who has shared their thoughts and given encouragement.

I usually finish a week on a Saturday but decided to do the graduate run this morning (Friday) on my birthday!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations and happy birthday. And welcome to the forum. And bloody well done. Where next?

[Catho7 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

gait analysis and new running shoes next week and l'm considering going to a parkrun

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Catho7]

Parkrun rocks... you’ll love it. New shoes always good. Enjoy!

[Soanesie]

That's amazing well done from a fellow hater of running. I have just finished week 1 and really enjoying it. You have inspired me t9 keep going 😁

[Catho7 Graduate in reply to Soanesie]

Well done. It's great to hear that you're enjoying it already. I found Week 1 a shock to the system but the programme is designed well so that the apparent big jumps are manageable. You can do it.

[FenderTelecaster Graduate]

I know what you mean. Never understood what made people so keen on running and now I'm apparently the sort of person who (relatively) cheerfully gets up at 6.30am on a Sunday to go for a run. First run of week 8 is on my 50th birthday.

Really - what *has* happened?

[Catho7 Graduate in reply to FenderTelecaster]

Well done, youngster. I'm in my mid fifties and know that you've done most of the hard work already. You're on the last stretch. Keep enjoying it.

[FenderTelecaster Graduate in reply to Catho7]

Thanks. I'm only starting W3 now though so I'm not entirely sure the worst is over. On the other hand, I'm looking forward to it anyway.

[MVBrown Graduate]

Congrats and happy birthday. Well done. Do continue running as you’ve so much to look forward to. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️