My long circular journey - from C25K to the Ma... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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My long circular journey - from C25K to the Marathon

Bazza1234 profile image
Bazza1234Graduate
β€’27 Replies

A long story for those with nothing better to do !! :)

I first started walking as a form of exercise about 5 years ago at the age of 67. After not too long I got bored with it and decided that I would walk to our local outdoor fitness area and use the machines there. Soon got bored with that too so decided to run from machine to machine. They were only a hundred metres or so apart - but I then remembered that "I can't run!". I had never been able to run. In my younger days in the Military, I would go out with a Platoon of recruits for a compulsory run, and all I can really remember now were "the side stitches" and the embarrassment of trailing behind everybody!!! I had become used to using the Internet and one day, I playingly asked Google "Why can't I run?" - and Mr Google came up with a thing called "Couch to 5K" . It was a plan to get you to run for 30 minutes in 9 weeks time. I had never known such a thing existed!!! I had a good look at it and decided that it was a bit too much for me - run for 1 minute eight times over??? I don't think so! - I can't run 100 metres. And after all, I was 67 years old - I might break something or have a heart attack. So I did a bit more looking into all this on the Internet and discovered this similar plan mayoclinic.org/healthy-life... It looked a lot easier - only running for 15 seconds at a time and culminating in running for only 30 seconds at a time . But the final run was over 4.5 miles (7.2K) and I remember it well - I had never in my life walked for 7.2 klms much less run/walked it. I felt really good with myself. I then tackled the NHS C25K , discovered parkrun and actually incorporated C25K into my parkruns right from W2D1. C25k taught me how to run for 30 minutes non-stop and I moved onwards to 5 Klms. I have since completed 154 parkruns. I then moved on to the 10 K distance but not long after my completion of C25k, I decided to do the 14 klm Sydney City to Surf event. I had no idea how I was going to do it , I was a LONG way from being able to run for 14K non-stop. But I remembered my first run/walk style programme and wondered if I could do that. Further internet research revealed to me that many people were run/walking. Most of them were either not the best of "runners" or had injuries of some kind - but that was OK by me - so I did it. But I became a regular parkrunner and the overriding ethos at parkrun is to run the entire event , so I concentrated on that a lot - after all I had spent a lot of time and energy learning how to run non-stop. I subsequently "ran" a number of 10K events - running continuously for as long as I could. But then I decided to have a go at a local Half Marathon and I knew that I would have to revert back to run/walking for that. I subsequently did three HM's - all run/walking but got my finish time down to 2 hours 22 minutes even with run/walking. I did notice that run/walking seemed to ruin my ability to run continuously - it was difficult to get them to coexist alongside one another. Trying to train for a HM using run/walk and trying to do parkruns by running continuously became a "struggle" for me. But that is what I did for 4 years or so. BUT NOW - in my near dotage (look it up in the dictionary if necessary :) ) - I have decided to tackle a full marathon for my first time at age 72. I have now adopted a policy of ONLY run/walking until I have succeeded. So I have basically traveled a circular path back to my running origins and am now run/walking 30seconds/30seconds but over distances that I could never have even imagined 5 years ago. Over that time, I have lost a little weight - maybe 5-6kg but really I could lose a bit more. But I like my red wine too much :) I recently lost most of my sight in one eye - always be ready for the unexpected to happen. Life is like waiting for a bus - we know that it will come, but we don't know just when. So don't be surprised when it does arrive - prepare yourself for it's arrival and do everything that you need/want to do NOW!!!!

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Bazza1234 profile image
Bazza1234
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27 Replies
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mrrun profile image
mrrunGraduate

Top man Bazza!

Linhert profile image
Linhert

What a story. Many many congratulations. I am 69 and on week 8, second run. You have spurred me on. 😊🎊

TedG profile image
TedGGraduateβ€’ in reply toLinhert

I was also 69 when I started on the journey last year.... best thing I ever did πŸ€—

Good luck 😊

Linhert profile image
Linhertβ€’ in reply toTedG

Up the oldies I say πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ€—

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate

Inspirational Bazza!

I've recently started doing run/walk, and it's definitely as fast, if not faster, than running continuously. But I agree with you, it then becomes hard to run longer distances without the walking breaks. I guess we just have to adapt!

Please let us know how you get on in your first full marathon. That's a distance I can only dream of (dream, or nightmare)!

All the best with your run/walking 😊

Setters profile image
SettersGraduate

Absolutely brilliant and an inspiration to read about your journey. I’m a fellow dotager, but your story shows it’s never too late.

Agelesslass profile image
Agelesslass

You are incredible Bazza1234, truly an inspiration for all of us. Good luck to you, Itske my hat off to you.

SlowLoris profile image
SlowLoris

Looking very coordinated there Bazza.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Inspirational stuff Bazza! Keep us posted on the marathon progress, that’s gonna be a great journey... getting to that start line ready to go is a big challenge... it’s hard enough to walk 42km! Can’t wait to see your bling!

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

So good to hear that you left that busted foot behind, Bazza........... typical of you not to bother mentioning that minor inconvenience.

Knowing your unerringly scientific approach to your exercising, I'm am sure that the marathon is yours for the taking.

Keep run/walking, keep smiling.

Bazza1234 profile image
Bazza1234Graduateβ€’ in reply toIannodaTruffe

Thanks - it is unfortunately still there and reminds me a little bit. My biggest thing now (with advancing age) is that I have lost most of the sight in my right eye) .

jayval70 profile image
jayval70

Inspirational Bazza. Thank you for sharing your story.

ANewMe1 profile image
ANewMe1Graduate

Wow Bazza, what an inspiration you are, thank you for telling your story and all the very best for the marathon

Jonny1 profile image
Jonny1Graduate

Well done Bazza. You’ve been an inspiration to a lot of people. πŸ‘Œ

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate

I loved reading that.😊

TedG profile image
TedGGraduate

I can relate to you Baz. I was 69 when I started out last year.....I’ve since run two halves and doing my third next month.

If I were to do a Marathon, and I’m not planning to do one anytime soon, I’d have to Jeff it 😊

Well done on your achievements mate πŸ€—

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

Great post Bazza, I am sorry to hear that your eye is playing up. I wish you every success with your training for your marathon, without you I would of never of tackled a HM myself so I thank you for that. Rfc x

PJRunner profile image
PJRunnerGraduate

You are an inspiration and a reminder that it is never too late to start.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

I hope the training is going well Baz πŸ˜ƒπŸ‘πŸ’ͺ

Sorry to hear about your sight loss. It must feel very strange, and annoying I guess

Kalabria profile image
KalabriaGraduate

Inspirational . Loved your post. I have only just started out on this running path. Tomorrow I start week 4 run 1 . Having read your story it makes me less anxious... I am only 52 ! Thank you for your post and good luck πŸ˜‰

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate

You are very inspiring Bazza :)

Bazza1234 profile image
Bazza1234Graduate

HA!!!! I have had HUNDREDS of photos taken of me at parkrun over the past 5 years - and this is the only one where I look like I am running!!!!! :)

ktsok profile image
ktsokGraduateβ€’ in reply toBazza1234

Definitely a β€˜gazelle’ in that photo! Very impressive form!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

Go Bazza πŸƒπŸƒ. Sorry to hear about your eye, that must be hard to get used to. Good luck for the big M, of course you'll do it πŸ™‚

ktsok profile image
ktsokGraduate

What a brilliant read. I am sure you will succeed in your marathon quest with your attitude. You are an inspiration!

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate

An inspiration, as ever! When is the big run?

Bazza1234 profile image
Bazza1234Graduateβ€’ in reply toJaySeeSkinny

Not until early July

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