9 weeks ago I couldn’t imagine completing this programme. I hadn’t run for years but had up until a year ago been ballroom and Latin dancing.
I started with massive trepidation. My biggest thought was “I’ll give it a week”. Each week was a milestone and each week had its challenges. Around week 5 I hurt (or thought I had hurt) my right knee. Run through it I thought and did. I think it was a result of having proper running shoes for the first time and being told I had sickle right foot. Also I was crossing my arms across my body and twisting my knees. Stopped doing that so knees aligned properly hence the pain.
Week 6,7,8 all sore knee but each week finding it a little tiny bit easier.
Week 8 and 28 minutes was miraculous. I found it easier than I could ever have imagined.
Step into week 9 and for reasons I don’t understand that extra 2 minutes killed me run 1. Second run marginally better.
Run 3 tonight and I did it - total distance 5.3km! To say I am chuffed is an understatement. To quote St Jo Whiley “you are a runner you really are”. I see people like me out and we acknowledge each other, faster people, slower people out doing what we do!
I have to keep going now. No Jo in my ear encouraging me, no little bell at the half way point. It will just be me and my weird music.
My family have been amazing encouraging me all the way. My wife still thinks the NHS has come up C25K to kill us oldies off. Me I am just extending my life as best as I can!
ParkRun next and reliving my days of playing rugby union at Birkenhead Park FC!
Thank you NHS, C25K and thank you Jo Whiley. Another thanks to Chris Evans who started the thoughts of shuffling after seeing Vassos Alexander running! Radio 2 rules.
Can I have my certificate now please?