C25K Six Months in the Bag - Reflections and the future...

[TailChaser]

Six months ago I was 20lb heavier than I wanted to be, my clothes didn’t fit properly, I hated what I saw in the mirror and couldn’t run for a bus. Today I am 18lb lighter, even my hair fits better than it used to, and I’ve just done another PB at Parkrun (27 seconds off a duck Flaraflarkin 😁), all thanks to C25K and this fabulous community. Youngest son hugged me today and said ‘Mum, you’re thin!’. Not sure I’d go that far but there’s a very definite improvement 😁

All you new runners, just to let you know, all that hard work you are doing now? It really is worth it! The time flies by in no time and you really will feel so much better about yourself. I like looking in the mirror now and I love the fact that I’ve gone down a dress and bra size, and my legs are hard as rock, not wibbly wobbly any more - running sorts the cellulite out much, much better than cycling (which I was addicted to 20 years ago but never lost the wobble)!! I cannot recommend C25K enough.

So, now my hubby ( Katnap ) and my eldest son are embarking on this adventure too, not that they need to lose weight (I had to lose weight, I was nearly as heavy as Katnap!). In 9 weeks time, all being well, I need to be able to help them move on to the next stage: I need to plan my next steps so I can hopefully keep them motivated during the autumn months of plodding the pavements.

So, I don’t really want to push the distance too much yet (my dodgy hip & back can still only take one 5k a week) but I definitely need some sort of plan as my training mojo is beginning to limp. I’m going to trawl through this community and see what I can do to spice it up. I may be back to ask questions, but if I find what I’m looking for I’ll be reporting back soon.

Happy running! 😃🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️😃🙌🦆

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Wow... what a great set of results. How amazing is that transformation. You’ve done all that and inspired your family too! Very well done.

Your plan needs to keep you outrunning them, obviously 😂. If not distance it’s speed then! Only kidding, but how great will it be for you all to run parkrun at the same time?

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Oh yes, I really, really hope so Unfit, I never thought that was possible. I’m so chuffed 😃 Next week my eldest starts his volunteering with Parkrun. Youngest can’t make it for a few weeks as he’s swimming but in October, there should be 2 of us running and 1 volunteering. They are inspiring me as much as I seem to have inspired them, can’t stop now else they will 😂😂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

That’s cool... you’ll all look great in the milestone shirts... 25 volunteer and 10 for the white one for under 17s... sadly the first adult one takes a year... 50 runs.

I’ve been clocking 1.5 volunteer jobs a week as I do parkrun marshalling 3 on 3 off and juniors weekly.

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I wondered about the 10, that’s a shame as I’m only 4 off but youngest should get it in no time once he’s finished his swim training. 50 it will have to be for me then! I told my eldest about the volunteer one and I think he’s up for it and I’ll definitely join him occasionally. Eldest has got 10 months to get his 10 before he’s too old, there’s an incentive 😁

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

They’re very good shirts too... think they’re £4ish postage. I’m guessing they will be changing to their own brand soon.

10 months is certainly doable. He could get his 10 and 25v ones before you get 50... maybe, just.

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Sounds good to me 😀

[MVBrown Graduate]

How heart warming your experiences, I can really relate to your story. Congrats on your achievement and encouraging your family to start running as well is like an extra bonus (family fitness). Well done and all the best for your future.

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to MVBrown]

Thanks MVB 👍😀

[Wizziewood]

That's a fantastic achievement TailChaser!

Good luck with your future plans ... keep it slow and steady and you'll achieve whatever you set out to do.

Happy running!

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Wizziewood]

Thanks Wizzie, it makes it all worthwhile 😀

[Taffywasawelshman Graduate]

That’s brilliant and inspirational. Congratulations!

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Taffywasawelshman]

Thanks Taffy 😀👍

[Dexy5 Graduate]

That’s a very inspirational post to those who are starting on this incredible journey Tasha and it’s brilliant that you have now got Katnap and your son following in your footsteps. Good luck with whatever you choose to do next with your running. Is there a race you can sign up for to gain some bling? 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏅

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy (it’s TailChaser btw, but don’t worry 🤗), I’m thinking bling type race signup too but I’ve got to be careful not to push myself too much - not ready for anything other than 5k just yet, so building myself up and trying to get the hip/back to last longer (it’s much better than it used to be). Santa Dash (5k) beginning of December definitely, may have bling, don’t know but definitely involves running in a Santa outfit 😁, and we should be able to do it as a family which will be brilliant. Over the winter I’ll probably join the next block of the 10k plan and see how that goes. You never know, Katnap and son(s) may want to follow me on to that too!! Fingers crossed 🤞 🤞

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

Oh so sorry to get the name wrong TailChaser. I was doing a quick dash though the posts in between entertaining my brother and going out again. I think Tasha was the response before yours. 🤣 senility sets in. 🤪

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

Omg TC 😱 6 months ago!! 18lbs lighter!! A PB at Parkrun!! Amazing!! The hilarious thing is TailChaser I actually Googled "27 seconds off a duck!!!" Can you beLIEVE that??!🤣🤣🤣 (I do live in Essex!! 😝🤣) Thinking it might be some strange cryptic coded running jargon 🙈 And then *ping* Gotcha!! Stan & Hilda!! It's nearly "ink time!!" 😱😱🦋 🤣🤣🤣

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Flaraflarkin]

🤣🤣🤣 oh Flara you do make me giggle 😆 yep, that’s it! 🦆🦆🦆 Yeah, I know 6 months we’ve been doing this business, can you believe it???? 🙌 Unfortunately children have emptied the coffers insisting on going back to school in clothes that fit, so the inking will have to wait a little while longer...See if I can crack 30 minutes, you never know! (No, I promise I’m not chickening out 🐔! 😂

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Ah TailChaser you have done such an amazing job and losing 20lbs is phenomenal!! Well do you!! Do you do Parkruns at all? I really enjoy running in the big parks. I’ve even tried a Forest! (And got lost! ☺️), but it was so enjoyable. I hope you do find some new adventures to enjoy too. ❤️

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Thanks Fabulous, not quite 20lbs yet but soon!! Yes, I’ve just done my 6th Parkrun today. Only done the one park as I just have to fall out of bed and it’s a 15 minute wander down the road so I’m very lucky. How did you manage to get lost? Guess that wasn’t Parkrun?! I think I probably need to get more adventurous with my routes as I just tend to stick to near where I live. Now the tourist season is calming down I may go north of the river (oooh!) and venture into the hills...no...maybe just the path along the river...or there’s the old railway track...oooh, you’ve made me think now!!! Time to plan some more routes methinks 😀😀 Thanks again Fab 🤗👍😀

[Hidden]

WOW! Well done YOU! 🥇🏆👍 Such a positive progress report! So inspiring too! 😉

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 55, it’s been an extremely positive experience. I was 50unfitfatandfedup!! 👍👍👍😀

[Hidden in reply to TailChaser]

He hee, there's alot of it about! 😈 Aiming for slim (er,) sexy (ish,) and smiley! Keep us posted.......

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Will do 😁👍

[Hidden]

As someone who is just starting out on the programme, this is great to hear. Well done on changing your life and inspiring your family.

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Poole, that’s lovely to know 🤗 good luck on your journey 👍