For reasons I can't quite fathom now, whilst I know when I started Wk1 R1 of C25K, I don't know my exact graduation date - but feel safe to say that I've now been running for a whole year since graduating.
Yesterday I set out to run a route I'd planned of about 8k but it was a lovely morning, I'd hit that sweet spot of leaving all my troubles behind and because I could I decided to carry on to 10k. And this sums up how running has changed my life.
I'm not a fast runner (though I'm much faster than I ever thought was possible in the beginning), I don't have ambitions to run a marathon (though I've though 5k, 7k, 10k were all impossible distances in the past) and I don't like the idea of racing but three times a week (with the odd exceptions when life - usually work - gets in the way) I go outside and I run.
It's really that simple and it's changed my life - yes because I didn't believe I could do it and the last time I ran was in cross country at school (more than 30 years ago) and I was rubbish - but more because I make time for myself; I get outside and enjoy the seasons, the ever changing weather, the views, the sunrises the sunsets, the moon in ways I'd forgotten; I'm fitter and stronger physically and mentally; work and its stresses are more firmly in perspective, I feel more positive about myself than I have in ages and I have a virtual group of cheerleaders on here that will keep me going when the going is tough.
Running? How did I manage without it 😊
Written by
DebJogsOn
Graduate
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Great post, thank you for posting. I have trouble remembering life before running, I always went to the pool and gym but nothings had transformed my life ever as much as running has 😀. Here is to many many happy years running for you.
What an encouraging post! That's where I want to be! I would love to just be able to go out and run...and run!! I've just done run 3 of week 5, the 20 min one. I really wanted to give up at 10 mins, it was so hard, I was so tired, out of breath and my legs felt like lead...but I carried on to the end! I get frustrated at being unfit but I'm trusting this program! I want to be a runner 😁🏃♀️
Do trust it. That Wk5 R3 run is a real turning point- Wk6 might still feel tough but soon you'll be running continuously and then you're really on your way.
I seriously found running for 1 minute a real challenge in the beginning yet now I have moments when I think I could run forever - one day you'll just feel like it's all working perfectly and you're not thinking about achy legs or gasping for breathing - you're just loving it.
Have to confess to still learning how to enjoy the rain and mud 😂 - but I do feel much more aware of the seasons rolling in and out than I have for years (I've always been a bit to focussed on the ends of terms instead!).
As many have said on here, what a fantastic post, truly inspirational. Having graduated a couple of months ago and struggling a little to keep up the momentum you have helped me see the future & where I want to get to! Thank you.👍😁
Congrats on your graduation! I pootled around for about 3 months not quite sure what I was doing after graduation but I did find out how and where I liked running by trying lots of variety - different distances, routes, surfaces and things to listen to - then I found the C25K+ podcasts which helped me especially with pace.
The monthly challenges on the Bridge to 10k forum also helped me keep up the momentum.
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