Thought I would finally post an update of my post c25k journey.
I started c25k in April this year with the aim (slightly naively) of doing the Cardiff Half Marathon this October. It wasnβt easy and I laughed, I cried and I had a few strops but I graduated the beginning of July along with a bunch of other lovely folks from the c25k community. Hello to all of you π€π€π€π€
After c25k I felt a bit lost and just tried to keep on running through the long, hot summer and up the distances slowly but steadily.
Once September came we started doing 9 or 10 miles every Sunday and to clarify I was not running all of that but built upto running nearly 3/4 of that and it wasnβt super quick but I was covering the distance. I should point out here the we includes my amazing hubby who keeps me going literally through thick and thin, sunshine and rain, good days and bad.
All through this whole process I told no-one as I had this great fear of letting family and friends down and almost being ridiculed as even though this year Iβve done more running than in the last thirty years combined I havenβt lost much weight, itβs just shifted around and Iβve firmed up a fair bit but I am still overweight. My comfort blanket was the canal as all we ever encountered were a few cyclists, fellow joggers and dog walkers.
So the Cardiff Half Marathon was Sunday 7th October and the week before I still hadnβt opened my race pack and was having sleepless nights with all my anxieties running riot. I was anxious about running with other people (20,000 other people), would I finish before the 4hrs 30mins deadline, would people laugh at me and most of all would I just fail and let my husband and myself down.
Saturday dawned and I just woke with a calmer mindset and thought I have to do this. Iβve put the hours in and even if I walk it I can do that in 4hrs 30mins. My hubby was over the moon and that morning was spent getting last minute things like a box of safety pins, jelly babies and plasters just incase!!
Sunday we woke at 6am, got to Cardiff for 8-30am and handed in our baggage on a glorious South Wales sunny morning. Our bibs were yellow as we had put our finishing times down as 3hrs 30mins as for me that was a pb!!!
The wait for the walk up to the start line was excruciating and I felt like I had a brick in my tummy the nerves were so bad. I was smiling but inside I was silently screaming what are you doing!!! You donβt do this kind of thing, you give up, this is beyond you but I kept taking deep breaths and fighting back the feeling to run back to the car!!
The start for me personally was horrendous I ended up running my fastest ever kilometre and a few times fellow runners caught my feet because I had nowhere to hide. I got to the third kilometre and finally started to relax into my running and take stock of what I was doing and start to look up and smile at the whole occasion. Five kilometres was the first water station and it was much needed!! The half way point took us across Cardiff barrage and the bay and the sun had come out with a vengeance. Running through the city was simply amazing but then we hit miles 10 to 12 around Roath Park and that was my slowest two miles.
Finally we reached the last stretch and I could feel my emotions starting to surface. We crossed the line and I sobbed my heart out. The sense of achievement and my actual pride in actually achieving something was simply overwhelming. I cried when I was given my medal, my good bag and my banana!!! Have to also mention how amazing the volunteers were around the whole course and all the people lining the way.
That is fantastic and so inspiring. Congratulations! Don't worry about what anyone else thinks you are a runner and you have a very shiny medal to prove it! π π πββοΈ
Brilliant post Jo! I remember how worried you were about telling your family and friends. I hope you've shouted this from the rooftops - it's a fantastic achievement π
Thank you! Funnily enough I still havenβt told many people as kind of like that itβs my precious, private memory - not thinking Iβve just shared it on here for everyone to see π€
Well done Johnny keep going and definitely sign up when your ready. The feeling of crossing that line was simply amazing π a lovely gent on the run told me that he wasnβt going to win the half but he wasnβt going to lose either and I loved that mindset. Good luck π πββοΈ
It does us all a great deal of good to step outside of our comfort zones on occasion, just to remind us that the limits are, for the most part, self imposed.
Thank you John ππ» I posted and then realised just how much I had written but wanted to just convey the journey since April and that it is possible. Up until this point the only thing I have been good at is giving up and itβs so fantastic to finally break that cycle. Thank you and best wishes π€
Well done! You were incredibly ambitious to go for a HM so soon after C25K. I've read a few runners' stories about their HMs and the anxieties you had seem pretty normal and you smashed your demons in the best way possible.
Thank you!! It was on my bucket list before landmark birthday next year. Iβm so glad my anxieties are normal as I did worry it was just me. The start was the most nervous Iβve been in my whole life and thatβs saying something but Sunday night was my best nights rest in months so worth it π
I'm entered for the 10 mile GSR next weekend. My first ever big event. I am not really worrying about whether I can run it - I haven't got that far yet - I'm still stuck on worrying where I can park, what time I need to be there to drop my bag, what if it rains, what if ..... Worrying about whether I can do it will come this week for sure. I worry about everything! It's my speciality! I noted immediately 20,000 runners and bag drop at 8.30 (no mention of it being horrendous at that time). I like to think that worrying beforehand is very normal ... but accept I will likely always be just outside of 'normal'
Linda I think what your fretting about is totally normal. Thinking you canβt do it, the logistics, the weather.. all normal. We got there quite early and walked through bag drop and left our things within five minutes but know nearer race time queues had formed. But organisers have whole process buttoned down and the volunteers are amazing and will help anyway they can.
Best of luck with your race next weekend and donβt forget to update us how you got on. You got this πππ½ββοΈππ»
All good to hear. I will definitely be taking your words with me for inspiration and calm
Wow, you are amazing, well done!! I have only Just finished week 5 c25k, and you have given me hope that I to could possibly do a half marathon in the future x
Many thanks!! Hope you get to do your NYC run soon. Iβm the same milestone next year too. Must be something in the water πππ»ππ½ββοΈππ½ββοΈ
This post is the most amazing inspiring read, you are just awesome, Iβm so proud of you as a fellow C25k graduate myself. I started in April but am only up to 8.5 miles distance and doing 10k organised runs. I aspire to do a half next year. Your post has given me hope that I may achieve this. Massive congratulations to you and your hubby.
CandyCool it definitely isnβt too late. Think sometimes life passes by and we get swept along with it but so nice to put brake on, take stock of life and think I am going to do this. This year has been one of the best and itβs all stemmed from starting to run. It is never too late. Good luck and go smash those dreams, you got this π€π€ππ»ππ»Xx
What an emotional post and I can relate to virtually every word of it.
What youβve achieved is nothing short of amazing, from graduation in July to a HM in October?? I take my hat off to you young lady, youβre an inspiration to everyone on this forum π€
Enjoy the elation youβre feeling, youβve earned it π
I know how youβre feeling. I graduated in December and have completed two halves since then, the first being the Great North Run in September followed by the Oxford Half earlier this month.
Enjoy your running journey πββοΈπββοΈ
Ted I love the fact you called me young lady, thank you!! Itβs funny as the fact Iβm turning 50 next year is what triggered all this. I wasnβt going to post anything but loved c25k and the comeradery it produces amongst people sharing the journey so thought right just do it. Well done to you on your two halfβs!!! Thatβs amazing and youβve done fab. Please let us know how you get on with the Oxford one and best of luck πββοΈπ
Oh congratulations!! Hope you have the champagne on ice ready for your last run πΎ
Enjoy your moment as you have plenty of time to decide what next. But keep going and set yourself a personal goal and go for it, you can do it and best of luck with your run 3 of week 9.. huge congrats!!!! π
Congratulations!!!! You are an amazing person & a true RUNNER!!! Thank you for sharing your experience - you are an inspiration to us all. I can manage 10k now but am scared of a half marathon. I like the fact that you have just proved that running is a mindset and if you tell yourself you can do it, you can! Go and buy some new groovy running kit & wear it & run with pride. It doesn't matter what shape you are - you're way fitter than most people if you can conquer a HM! Wishing you many happy runs. X
Thank you!! 10k is fab and your going great guns. If that was applied to a half your over half way and on way to finish line ππ½ββοΈπΎ.
I read so much on various forums about distance and one thing they all agreed on was not running the full distance as adrenalin and atmosphere would be a huge factor and they were right. Prior to Sunday most we did was 10 miles and we finished it and so you are well on your way.
As for running kit I have to tell you my running kit on the day was shameful as all my old running stuff. I had even had to sew my leggings night before as hole on leg but I knew they were comfy and finished with no blisters or chaffing which was a godsend!! π€
Thanks for encouragement! I guess you should 'never say never' - after all I couldn't run for a bus a 18 months ago & now I'd like to think I could catch it & jump on the back - only a lovely old red Routemaster obviously!! πβππ
Fantastic job! We must have had a similar C25K journey (April to July) but youβve really pushed on from then whereas Iβm just . . . . . . well still running but . . . . a bit lost to be fair. Maybe I need a challenge or a supportive husband (not a couch one!!). Congratulations- hope youβre progress continues.
With darker nights coming now I think I may look into joining running club as I can run in dark and no one will see me. Plus park runs every Saturday morning offer great chance to meet fellow runners and network.
Good luck with your running and go Sybil you got this πππ»ππ½ββοΈXx
Wow. You made me cry. That's a wonderful post, definitely no apologies needed. You should be hugely proud of yourself - and your amazing hubbie too. That is a massive, massive achievement and you should be shouting it from the rooftops, not keeping it a secret. Run with your head held high and enjoy. Super well done to you both
Amazing post, so inspirational. I've cried whilst reading it because I can just imagine how euphoric you must have felt after such a huge achievement in such a short amount of time from graduation. I'm due to do my graduation run tomorrow and still need to keep pinching myself that I can now run for 30 minutes when, only 8 weeks ago, I found running for a minute so incredibly difficult. Your post, along with the results I've already had from this C25K programme, allow me to dare to believe that, I too, could possibly achieve such amazing things myself. You're so right to be incredibly proud of yourself, I felt incredibly proud of you just reading your post, and I don't even know you !!!! Huge congratulations.....you're amazing !!!
It was and still is an amazing feeling and I wish I could bottle it and pass it out as such and I guess more special as life hasnβt brought many moments like this my way. Iβve spent so long hung up on what others may think and now Iβve finally realised I can do things just for me.
Itβs funny you saying about running a minute being hard as I remember that feeling too. Think sometimes it helps to realise others feel the same which is why this community is so fantastic. No criticism just support and encouragement all the way.
Good luck with your graduation run tomorrow and huge congratulations on a fantastic achievement. Youβve done it, big cwtch π and your amazing!! ππ½ββοΈππ½ββοΈππ½ββοΈππ½ββοΈπ€π€π€π€πΎπΎπΎπΎ
Congratulations! I think what you've done is amazing! I graduated around the same time as you & like you, I haven't lost any weight even though people told me I had. I need to lose about 4 stone to be a healthy weight. You have inspired me because the last time I ran was a park run on September 1st. The darker mornings have meant that I've stopped running and I'm starting to feel unfit and lethargic again. You doing the half marathon has made me get my trainers out this morning!! Keep up the good work and well done to you & your hubby on an amazing achievement. π
Blossom I am the same. I havenβt lost any weight but my legs have less orange peel effect and I have a bit of a waist again ππ½ββοΈMy clothes are the same size but I know they are less tight. I am still classed as obese but I know Iβm doing something and not just sat on sofa like I used to. I wish I lived near you and we could go to park run together but if you start going again you will encourage me to start going to mine. Running definitely does give you a more positive mindset and a guilt trip if you donβt go π€
So you go girl and please let us know how you get on but you got this. ππ½ββοΈππ½ββοΈππππ»ππ»
You're amazing!! Your post brought a tear to my eye. I completed c25k in August and have also lost my way a little since. I still run but not as regularly.... maybe I need to sign up for a challenge?!ππββοΈ
I am sure you could do it and I think when you have a challenge booked it focuses and gives you something to aim for. I read everything I could on the half and took on board all the advice and it helped.
Iβve even been looking at Santa runs as thinking I could rope a few friends in and have a giggle at the same time and a festive tipple after π€ also debating trying a park run soon too so itβll focus me and as itβs early Saturday morning Iβve no excuse π€
Good luck with your future running, youβve done the hard bit. The future is for you to decide ππ½ββοΈππ½ββοΈππ½ββοΈππ½ββοΈ
WOW! We'll done you! I think I held my breath for you reading through your tale of huge determination, and I was feeling your emotion too, the banana π nearly took me over the edge! Incredible account! π
Great Post. 77 replies and 35 likes says it all . However I do feel hubby is cheating a tad with his drag reduction, streamlined hair cut.
And Parkruns are a really good way of kicking off the weekend. Just finished today's: - I made two new friends, chatted with two or three others and had a really nice relaxing cup of coffee with my wife and the dog in town. Managed to high five 3 volunteers on the way round as well as a youngster who went under 30 mins for the first time.
And then read your post. It's going to be a good day. Thank you
Aaw love this!! You made me smile π and thinking abut it you are right.
Well done on your park runs and your high fives. I really do need to start park runs especially as our local park is truly beautiful and weirdly where I want my ashes spread π€. Iβm looking at Santa runs too as thinking that may possibly involve coffee, mince pies and alcohol π· π
LOVE THIS!!! massive congratulations - youβve done amazingly well and thank you for writing about that self doubt and completely smashing it! πβ€οΈπββοΈπββοΈ
Crying with pride and I donβt even know you. WOW !!!! What an achievement. Am going to use your story to inspire me to more ... in my head I am secretly aiming for a 10k and hoping the winter weather isnβt going to hinder my enthusiasm to run but would sooooo love to be able to say I had done a half marathon. Who know what next year could bring if I can keep it going. Well done to both of you. Youβre amazing !!! πββοΈπββοΈ Just out of interest what was your time ? Not that it matters one little bit cos YOU DID IT!! ππ»
Oh bless you, thank you π Iβm not sure what running in autumn or winter as Iβm a newbie to it all too. Iβm just hoping the winter will make it a bit easier as no one can see in the dark nights and Iβll feel happier venturing out on my own around streets under cover of darkness - hark at me sounding like Iβm trying to hide some superhero power and cape!! Time was 3-23 which I was happy with as aim was just to finish before car scooped up anyone outside 4-30. The weirdest thing was though I know I could have got under 3 hours mark but sometimes I just wanted to walk a bit and savour the scenery and the supporters and bands etc plus Iβve never been able to walk or run whilst driving for some reason?!? Next year Iβll aim for under 3 but hubby is already eyeing up 2-30!!
Fab-u-lous! What a fantastic achievement for you. You should be well proud of yourself !πππππ Such an inspiration! thank you.
Your post was brilliant to read so much so Iβm even tempted for next year. Iβll be 61 then and Iβm hoping to do at least one 10k if not two. I keep saying Iβm going to but never do it as Iβm not that confident although I do run three times a week and they amount to just over 6K some days.
Two year ago I ran a 5K in the Hereford running festival then in the July of same year I ran another 5K for RFL. So who knows maybe next yearπ€π€
Anyway enjoy your wonderful achievement... you deserve it.πββοΈπββοΈπ€
Thank you Peggy and wow go you!! I hope Iβll still have the energy and determination at 60 so hats off to you. But age is just a number and weirdly Iβve more energy now than when I was 30 and think these experiences become more special.
This is truly inspirational. Iβm sat here thinking of an excuse to go out and do W4R3 because Iβm tired and feeling a bit bleurgh. Also Iβm hating the five minute runs and thinking I will never get any further. Now, after reading your post and all the comments Iβm going to get off my backside and go and do it. I would truly love to run a half marathon and totally relate to your feeling and thoughts relating to self belief - why do I think I can do this etc. Iβm goi g now.....
I always had to run morning or lunchtime at latest as my energy drops as day progresses so good on you and I hope you have a treat waiting as a reward.
Think everyone has bad runs and I remember struggling and wondering how I would run for more than a few minutes but the plan works and you can do it. I started listening to podcasts or audiobooks and found they helped. But believe me when I say you can do this, truly you can.
Youβve got to the last run of week 4 and your next run after this is the halfway week. Your smashing it and think by Christmas youβll have graduate next to your name and be runnning for thirty minutes!!!! Thatβs amazing and your amazing!!!! ππ»
THANK YOU for your WONDERFUL post JoBC. Huge, huge congratulations. I'm welling up as I write because you've given such a beautiful, and inspiring account of how it can be done, and how the gremlins can be overcome and amazing things achieved. I hope you don't mind me saying how proud I am of you? You're a complete star!
Unlike you, I have long been secretly harbouring a desire to have a go at a half marathon, but haven't done anything about making a start as a big part of me has been rubbishing the idea and saying 'yeah, dream on!' After reading your post I've decided to put those negative thoughts to one side. Once I've pressed 'send' I'm going to look up 2019 half marathons. THANK YOU!
Oh thank you for such a lovely post, you made me well up!! I tried to be as honest as possible and tell it warts and all but how all my anxieties were swept away during and at end.
I spent so many nights losing sleep worrying about things I had no control over and it consumed me for awhile. But looking back it was all worth it and I wish I was doing it again tomorrow!!!
Itβs a cliche but tour right the only thing stopping us is ourselves and you are more than capable of a half marathon. I also kept training in kilometres as found that better than miles and we covered the ground quicker!!
Best of luck with your future running and I hope you do get to do your half next year. You can do this... and dreams do come true... π
Aww what a brilliant story my eyes filled up when you got ton the last couple of miles. Well done you. It's great that you've found something you love to do especially as your hubby does it too. Keep going you're brilliant xxx
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Couch to Half Marathon in 5 months
My first half marathon- DONE!!
Half Marathon here I come! ππΌββοΈβ€οΈπ Long post alert! π
First half marathon completed 
