Hello everyone, I'm c25ker from the class of Sept 2017 and although I don't hang out on this forum much these days I just wanted to tell you my story and convince those of you who are maybe struggling with the early c25k prog runs that it's worth sticking with it because it gets easier!
As the post title says, I honestly think the first time you find yourself selfconsciously dressed up in newly bought lycra looking like an alien (and probably feeling like one) and asking yourself "What the the hell am I doing? " you may not realise it but you've taken the hardest step of all. Getting out and putting one foot infront of the other on the first command from the app of " Run 1 minute!". I know I was looking at my watch to see how many seconds were left to run on my very first run " Damn! I've only run for 35 seconds, it feels like 35 minutes!". I kept at it. I was a bit daunted by week 6 and the big 25 minute run and felt a great sense of accomplishment when that particular run was in the bag although I felt like I was about to die at the 20min mark! But slowly the programme begins to work and your general fitness allows you to keep pushing the boundaries of what you can do. Towards the end of the programme you will be able to run and therefore be a runner. Fullstop. If you catch the bug you may well do the bridge to 10k programme (b210k) and find yourself running for over and hour at a time, but that's not for everyone.
But what about this rubbish about c25k run No 1 "Run 1 minute!" being harder than a marathon I hear you say? Well I can honestly say that hearing " Run 1 minute!" back in Sept 2017 scared the be-jeesus out of me and it was a shock to find myself doing it and gasping like fish out if water at the end if it! But believe it or not I recently ran my first marathon! The C25k and b210k progs and these great forums and admins got me to that marathon starting line, I was a runner, I'd trained and I can honestly say that " Run for 5 hours!" although it sounds a bit nuts held less than 1/10th of the menace of that first " Run 1 minute!" command!
An ex-smoker, I was overweight when I started c25k ( still borderline even now though) and I'm no spring chicken ar 56 years old.
So don't get beaten by the early c25k runs, they are hard when you are still learning to run and getting your heart, lungs, legs and everything into basic shape. It DOES get easier although that is hard to believe at the beginning! I'll take my hat off to anyone starting c25k and give them maximum kudos for grit and determination and making a life changing decision to get fit. In contrast if you run a marathon I'll just ask you what time you ran!
I suppose what I'm trying to say is I'm more proud of my c25k graduation than running my first marathon!
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Lordi
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I also embarked on the journey in Sept ‘17 and graduated early Dec. Nothing since then has matched the elation I felt then..... I’ve since gone on to complete the Great North Run at pushing 70yrs young last week and am doing the Oxford Half in 3 weeks.
I too am an ex smoker and have lost 16lbs since Dec without dieting, just running 3 times a week and exercising!
Thanks Ted. As we've both been there it's "easy" for us to say. But for newbie c25k runners you simply won't believe it until life gets easier with your improved fitness! Believe!
I completely agree... (I have not run a Marathon or a HM yet)...but those first runs.. well yes...how many of us thought we may collapse or even die... !!!!
But... as Edison said..
"If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves"
I graduated last year too from C25k and have just completed my second half marathon and numerous 10k races.
I totally agree with you! Running those early runs took all I had! I could barely make the 90 seconds! I too am an ex smoker and luckily have lost 3& 1/2 stone as I joined slimming world a year and a half ago at the same time I started C25k! I also gave up smoking on the same day!!!
Yup, I also agree 🏃🏻♂️ the first runs are the hardest by far, in the body and in the mind. The thought I had was that there was no way I'd get through to week 9. I graduated in June '18. I'm 27 days from my first HM, which I am now really looking forward to except I've picked up a strained glute. It's quite strange that although I don't really enjoy running, while I'm out there, since my injury I've missed it 🏃🏻♂️
I've also started the parkrun, which is a great way to run regularly with other like minded people.
Message like the others is for those with just a flicker of an idea, go for it🏃🏻♂️
What a superb post! I don't know about a marathon, but I totally agree that w1r1 is the scariest and hardest thing I have done so far on my running journey. I'm not at marathon level, but at 15k I am a long way from that starting week - and utterly hooked! Quite the best thing I've done in years and years.
But not to take away from your marathon achievement - congratulations, I'm in awe of anyone who can get from couch to marathon in such a short space of time. Really well done!
Thanks for the encouragement Lordi! I am beginning week 8 of C25K and hope to eventually run a HM by next year. Congrats on all you have accomplished in the last year!! There is hope for me yet.
Just motivational magic and the other runners that have shared your experience.
This forum is just so inclusive and being able to connect with all things running and all salt of the earth runners is really extraordinary and so humbling.
It is even more humbling when you read your journey and so many others for which the struggle and success has been very well earned.
It is amazing what you and others have achieved and how fortunate and privileged this forum exists that we can share your journey’s.
Your perception is reality ,my running friend, an incredible journey of grit and determination, and now knowledge and experience , that I personally can only admire, albeit that I cannot fully empathise because I had not your struggle.
Gosh we are all different, and although I did not struggle,I surely would have quit if faced with your and others level of challenge,I have found running and this forum to truly be the life’s blood of my soul and to quote JuJu, Running is the Golden thread that binds us together.
Thank you so much Lordi for sharing this,
Keep inspiring this magical forum and amazing us with your journey.
Wow Lordi, massive congrats, a marathon. I’ve just done my first 10k race and am chuffed but a marathon is out of my league, I’m 64. I am in awe of you, really a huge achievement.
Well said! I did my first 5k race on Sunday, and am looking forward to weekly parkruns from now on, with a view to doing a ten k by Christmas. It just takes time!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your inspiring story. I am an unfit and overweight 52 year old and I just did W5r1. I have a little dream brewing of doing a marathon one day. You just made it feel attainable which is a priceless gift. You made my day 😁
So glad One_spot! Little by little. Keep chipping away at it. C25k is eating the proverbial elephant - one bite at a time! You can do it! Redo a week if you falter but keep at it. I redid W4 originally myself and benefitted from it. 10k is a big milestone after c25k. A half marathon is just as good a goal as a marathon (a HM was my original goal) but having done a HM a full marathon always beckons! Good luck!
What a great post and an inspiring story. Totally agree - getting out there for the first time is the hardest physically and mentally.
Making running a habit was key as well in the beginning for me. Once I found a routine that worked (days and times I could usually stick to) it really helped.
Thank you for this post... So inspiring! Huge congratulations on your achievements 🙌
Great post Lordi from another ex smoker who saw the light. Big congrats on your marathon too.. outstanding 😁😁
I agree - the twang and feel of Lycra as you slip it on...sorry. wrong forum. start again.
The first minute was indeed the hardest part of it all so far. I now run 3 times a week and one of the runs usually goes past where that first minute began and ended. Might erect a discreet plaque. Possibly with a pithy latin inscription. Or more appropriately set it up as a Strava segment!
YESSSSS this is so true. I have now run 3 marathons since graduating from C25k back in April 2013 and NONE of them even come close to how hard I found week 5 run 3. It was the hardest thing mentally that I have ever done... and it is so much the mental stuff that is hard.....
Totally agree Lordi - I'm 61, overweight, and started C25k in mid-April. Today I completed my second 10k race, will be running my first HM next year, and have lost a stone along the way (with more weight coming off all the time)....
...but for me that very first run W1R1 was the hardest of them all. I can remember swearing at the app and thinking it was totally ridiculous that C25k didn't start with something easier. It damn near killed me!!! Each run then gradually got easier and once I was past the dreaded W5R3, it was downhill all the way
So for any C25k newbie out there finding those first runs difficult. Yes, they just are! But once you get past them, you are off and running (pun intended).
Massive congratulations Lordi!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽! You’re an amazing inspiration 🤩. The start of the journey is very special, because it’s a measure of what we have become. No matter what distance we run after that, it’s always a milestone from that decision to take that first step! Well done you!! 🥰❤️
Well said Lordi, I have no desire to train for or run a marathon but C25k is the best thing I ever did for my health , and I’ve become a parkrun addict. For that alone I thank the programme and the lovely people on this forum.
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Why is W5R3 harder than W6R1?
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Soooo Happy
5K today- 6th in the bag- 1st time around the local parkrun route
My first 10k
