Ignoring bad advice.....

[Saltdog]

Hi folks, I'm totally new to this forum although not to C25K. I'll be doing W6 R2 tomorrow. I just never realised there was a forum!! Oops.

Just over 4 years ago, I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. I was absolutely gutted! I was 37 at the time and felt all the expected emotions such as disbelief and a general feeling of, "Why me???". I visited some arthritis forums for advice on getting fitter with arthritis as I was overweight and unhappy. I wanted to know whether cycling or running would still be possible. Long story short, I was basically told that I should think of different hobbies and life goals as I would probably never be able to achieve those things any more. So, I sat around for a few years feeling pretty sorry for myself and gaining even more weight, always blaming the arthritis for my weight and laziness.

Fast forward to a couple of months ago, I found an amazing group on Facebook which changed my life! It was mainly aimed at successful, sustainable weight loss and went against the teachings of all the mainstream diet clubs. There were people in the group who had achieved amazing results even though they had worse conditions than mine. One of the most important pieces of information I got was that if I lost weight, I'd have less pressure and pain in my joints. Sounds so simple and obvious but eventually led me to the C25K.....

I've really enjoyed every run so far and have been keeping the pace slow (5.5k/hr walk and 7.5k/hr run). W5 R3 seemed unachievable when I first saw it and I thought there must be some kind of mistake with the app. Finished it though, with fuel in the tank.

I'm honestly feeling the happiest and fittest I have in years and I have C25K to thank for it. I can't wait to graduate and fully intend to keep it up for as long as my body will allow me to.

Sorry about the long post. I promise they'll be shorter from now on......

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations Saltdog , the post was very inspiring to read, well done and enjoy the rest of your running journey with C25K. 😊 🏃

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you, I'm enjoying it so far. Unfortunately, it's currently on a treadmill since I'm at work offshore. Home on Wednesday though so hoping the weather continues to be ok and lets me outside.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great you're now on wk6 , just maybe you will encourage others with a health condition that they can achieve something they thought they couldn't good luck

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

If I can do anything to help anyone else then I would certainly do my very best to do so. I had some pretty dark days over the last few years feeling very sorry for myself. The funny thing is, I'm now convinced that arthritic pain is also linked to mood. It certainly is for me anyway. The happier I am, the less sore I usually feel.

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to Saltdog]

Yes I agree my mother has rheumatoid arthritis and I see how it affects her , but I have the most admiration for her as she just gets on with it the best she can

[arttutor in reply to Saltdog]

You have done so well, amazing lady!! Just wanted to say I had to stop running about 14 year ago as had arthritis, osteoarthritis and v bad osteoporosis. I radically changed my diet to an alkaline one, very strict for the first three months then I eased off slightly and now I have hardly any trace of arthritis at all since last check up. ll my joints and hands are so much stronger because of it. So, I’m sure you are aware of the importance of alkaline v acidic in the type of foods taken makes a world of difference, actually to everyone.

I wish you all the best in your continued health.

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to arttutor]

Hi arttutor. Thank you so much for your kind words. I feel I probably should point out that, although I feel amazing, I'm not in-fact a lady. Lol. So sorry to hear about your arthritis issues. I know I am luckier than a lot of people with arthritis in that I can do things like this but I appreciate that there are much worse cases than mine. I wasn't actually aware at all of the alkaline v acidic food diet. I must definitely look in to that one. Thank you again for your post. I wish you the best in your ongoing journey too.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Keep it slow and steady and the stamina will continue to develop.

Enjoy your journey.

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you so much for the info! That's a great post you linked. I'm following the rules so far and intend to keep doing so. There are days that I feel I could keep running after the podcast is over but I make sure I stop when it says stop. Gotta trust the plan!!

[ktsok Graduate]

Great to hear your story Saltdog; puts things into perspective. How lucky we are to be able to run at all; it doesn’t matter what speed. Thank you and welcome to the forum 🙂

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to ktsok]

I know exactly what you mean. I try not to take it for granted. I know there are people with arthritis that will never be able to run but I now strongly believe that any kind of movement can have huge positive effects on the condition. Anything is better than nothing and it never helps to sit around feeling sorry for yourself. I may not be able to keep this up forever but I'll go on as long as I can and then work out a way to do it longer!!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Well done! I’m so pleased you listened to yourself and your body and found a way to get started btw your speeds are faster than mine ...

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Thank you so much. My speeds are purely treadmill based. I haven't ventured outside yet due to working offshore. I fully intend to try and get out this time home though so I have no idea what that will do to my speeds. I've even registered with the local Parkrun but I won't be doing it until I've graduated from C25K. I may attempt the course though as it looks like a decent wee run. I don't suppose speeds matter anyway. We're all built differently. The speeds I'm on are the speeds I started with on a completely random basis. Seems to work for me though. I also use a running on playlist on Spotify which has all the songs between 160 and 165 bpm. That seems to keep me in rhythm and I intend to keep using it when I start running outside.

[Mercmancouchto5k Graduate in reply to Saltdog]

Hi Saltdog, my first park run was on Christmas day and I came 345th out of 349. Your post is inspiring. My wife has arthritis, and had been told for years she should not run. But a recent physiotherapist has encouraged her to do so, and attempt Couch25K. I graduated early January, and can't wait for my wife to start, and I will gladly accompany her all the way. Thank you for sharing your arthritis journey with the forum. And best of luck onshore. I am sure you will find free running far more satisfying than the treadmill. Just be careful of the pavements or rough tracks. It is easy to trip up if you lose concentration.

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Saltdog]

You are right, they dont matter and when you get outside, they will probably vary a bit. I do like running outside so hope you manage to get out. It helps to plan where you will run in advance because that’s one less thing to plan pre run.keep running

[Jell6 Graduate]

That is so positive 🤩

Fabulous that this has improved your feeling of wellbeing.

Well done for week 5/3

Take the next one nice and slow as it often surprises.

Keep posting 😊

[Irish-John Graduate]

Your post made my day

Wishing you many happy miles in your future

[Pianism Graduate]

There's absolutely no need to apologise - we love hearing about people and their different journeys. Stories like yours put my (self-inflicted) problems into perspective! I'm so glad that you found running and that you found this forum. I'm at the same stage as you - week 6 - though I've been bothering the folk on here since I started. I have to say that it's been the forum that's kept me going at times.

All the very best of luck with your journey. I hope you find some small respite from your symptoms and that you have many years of happy running!

[Wildwildwild]

Nice one, I’m in a similar position, in that I have psoriatic arthritis too and about to do wk6r2 this morning. I’ve recently been put on new medication which means less pain in my feet, so I thought let’s get on couch to 5k and get fitter. Must say this is the furthest I’ve got on the plan before and the runs are not only helping me lose weight, but also really helping out with my mental health...

Nice one!

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to Wildwildwild]

Oh wow, that's a bit of a coincidence. I managed the run this morning and thoroughly enjoyed it. One of my worst areas with my arthritis is my right foot. The medication doesn't currently seem to be helping but I bought a pair of Altra running shoes. They have a much wider toe box to allow your toes to splay out naturally. Made a huge difference to how my foot feels after a run. Good luck with your personal journey and it's good to know I have someone who knows my situation so well.

[Wildwildwild in reply to Saltdog]

My main pain is in my right foot too! Lol! Since I’ve been on humira, I feel a lot lot better. Also a lot better since getting some proper running shoes that had a wide toe box too, got some Hoka One Ones. Just did the run... Feel proper ace! Keep going!

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to Wildwildwild]

Well done on completing the run. Looking forward to the 25 minute run on Tuesday now! I'm currently on Leflumonide and Sulfasalazine, supplemented with Naproxen and Paracetamol for the pain. I've only been on this combination for a couple of months and must say I'm not feeling a huge benefit unfortunately. I was on Methotrexate for a while which allowed me cut out the Naproxen and Paracetamol but I had to stop it when my wife and I were trying to conceive. It took about a year and a half for us to get pregnant though and I was on something else during this time but the name escapes me. Anyway, when I went back to my rheumatologist, I told her I wanted to keep experimenting until I found the best possible combination for me. Methotrexate was ok but it's a nasty drug (many of them are I suppose). I might have to look in to humira and mention it at my next appointment. As it is, running seems to be helping my arthritis better than any drug I've been on so far. An extra incentive to keep it up!!

[ThermoWoman]

Well done 👍 true inspiration.

[Agelesslass]

Well done Saltdog, keep going through your journey and good luck for the future and better health.

[Granspeed Graduate]

Welcome. 🎉Love your post and love the title. Oh if only we could know easily when to obey the little inner voice that says “But maybe try it..?” 😄 So glad you had a go and it’s working!

[Rosy230973 Graduate]

You are amazing! What a wonderful achievement, knowing your own body, not listening to the ‘expert’. I have often found that these people don’t think outside the box. A professor I once met told me to think of exercise as therapy. You obviously did!

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to Rosy230973]

The folks who were telling me not to chase these dreams of exercising again were by no means experts. They were just regular people who had been dealt a bad hand in life and felt the need to share their woes with like minded people who would offer them support and sympathy. That’s not what I felt I needed. I wanted someone to give me a good kick up the bum and tell me to keep pushing myself to find out what my limits were. Saying that though, at no point has my rheumatologist or doctor told me I should be exercising more to alleviate my symptoms. Maybe it’s different for everyone though and they don’t want to risk being sued because someone has injured themselves following their advice.

[Rosy230973 Graduate in reply to Saltdog]

Pilates did miraculous things for building up the muscles around my arthritic knees.

[Katnap Graduate]

Great story and well done for finding the HU forum for C25K. Keep posting to let us know how you're getting on.

Week 6 is a bit of a toughie but after W6R3 you'll be 2/3rds complete, and hopefully you will find your own running rhythm.

I can hardly remember Weeks 7,8,9 apart from graduation run.

Enjoy the final third!

😸 Katnap 😸

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to Katnap]

Happily completed W6 R2 today and am looking forward to completing W6 on Tuesday. No more walky breaks from here on in! Hope to get outside for the final third. Will very much be weather dependent though.

[Katnap Graduate in reply to Saltdog]

No such thing as the wrong weather. Just the wrong clothes! 😸

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to Katnap]

Living on the coast in the far North of Scotland, I think there are, perhaps occasions when the right clothes just don’t exist. When one is a certain weight, one can often take on the characteristics of a sail when facing the wrong direction. Lol. I will be trying my best to get out though. Got to be more entertaining than the treadmill.

[Katnap Graduate in reply to Saltdog]

Or learn to tack 😁😁😁

[lynsreid]

What a fantastic post!!! Congratulations on your progress so far!!!

[SteveW1960 Graduate]

That’s awesome- congratulations on your progress and positivity - inspirational

[HowardBailey]

Great story and it reiterates our need to reflect on advice given by others. Here is an anecdote that I hope helps empower people to listen to advice but make their own decisions.

I volunteer regularly at a Park Run in the SW. I talked to a runner recently who was at their first park Run and at the back of the field by a long way (no issue there after all its a run not a race) ... talking to the runner they told me that they were/had been a truck driver and given the lifestyle they admitted to being over-weight but wanted to get fit (fitter). There GP recommended they do a Park Run. The GP provided no advice .. 'just do it". The person finished the course by walking. However we have not seen the runner since.

Park Runs are great and every runner gets support. Couch25k provides the preparation to be successful...

[Saltdog Graduate in reply to HowardBailey]

I think the main thing you need to carry out any kind of exercise is a desire to do it. If you’re just doing something because someone told you to, you won’t keep it up. Unless you find it surprisingly enjoyable I suppose. I imagine entering your first Parkrun must be daunting enough but to then come dead last wouldn’t be the most motivational thing in the world. Poor guy. Fair play to him for giving it a go though.

[Gran4z Graduate]

Welcome to the forum, its a great place for support and encouragement. Hope the weather stays brilliant for you so you can get into the 'great outside' when you come on shore next week. Enjoy! By the way, doesn't matter how long your posts are, all are good to read. Happy running! I loved C25K, graduated last year and haven't stopped, totally addicted - and it means I can eat chocolate, I use it to give me energy before I go out for a run, that's my excuse and I stick to it - because i can run it off! Pretend I didn't say that, not good advice for you if you're still on the weight loss thing - apologies.

Happy running, slow and steady is our mantra here...its not a sprint it's a marathon . Happy days.