I think it’s my Runniversary...

[TailChaser]

...but I can’t remember when I started C25K! The only clue I have is that I ordered my first proper running shoes on 28th February (thanks Amazon purchase history!) and I was doing C25K for a couple of weeks (badly) before this...so it’s round about now!

But anyway, I found this quote and a year on, I think this sums it up. Here’s just a small selection of how my life has changed in the last year:

- Saturdays will never be the same again: today was my 28th parkrun, my 11th on the trott and now my whole family takes part

- I’ve become part of the parkrun community in my town and get to chat to lots of lovely runners each week despite being pretty shy

- I am signed up for two 10k races with another in sight

- I have lost nearly 2 stone, dropped a dress size, 2 cup sizes (I got properly measured up this week a year after I bought my first running bra in the same shop - what a difference!). I really didn’t realise how much difference this was making to my self esteem.

- I’m in the process of replacing all my clothes, and I’m actually enjoying shopping for them and trying them on...in front of a mirror!

- I have lots of designer clothes: Asics, Ron Hill, New Balance...😂

- mentally I’m in a much, much better place

- I’ve got more strength & energy than many half my age

- I can eat a chocolate bar or piece of cake and not worry that it’s going to push me over in to type 2 diabetes (I have a worrying family history of it) as I know I’m going to work it off

- And I’ve made loads of lovely VRBs on this forum, some of whom I’ve even met up with now 😁 Thank you to Flaraflarkin , Bluebirdrunner , Oldfloss , Jay66UK , Runningroni , Hidden , cheekychipmunks , Hidden , ju-ju- and many, many others who I’ve shared this journey with (sorry if I’ve missed you out)

- oh yes...and I’ve got a tattoo...

I usually post on the B10K forum these days (a great resource once you’ve graduated) but I’ve put this here because I want to share this with those just setting out, as that is who this quote is aimed at really - keep going, it really is worth it!

Happy running everybody 🤗😀👏👏👍🦆🦆🦆

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

Happy runniversary to you! And great post. Love that designer gear 😂

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thanks grumpy! It’s so stylish, I just wish there wasn’t so much pink!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Aww TC, how lovely to have been part of your amazing journey! ❤️

You have done incredibly well, as have we all, and I know we can give credit to these forums for helping us along the way. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

Keep it up TC. Good luck with your 10k races. I have 3 lined up and I absolutely can’t wait! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Go us! 🏃‍♀️👊👍💪❤️

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Oh wow cheeky! Three already? You’ve done brilliantly! Completely agree - go us!! 😀👏🙌

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

Yes! Bristol 10k in May, Race for Life in June and Severn Bridge 10k in August. I’m so excited. Where are yours? 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Regency Run 10k in Leamington Spa in April, the Two Castles Run between Warwick & Kenilworth (I’m in the ballot so not definite yet) in June and The Big10k in Stratford in September (got to enter that one yet - I’ll see how the Regency goes first).

A bit nervous about them in a sort of excited way 😎🤓

I like the idea of running across the Severn Bridge!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

Oh wow, fabulous! Fingers crossed you get into Stratford. 🤞

Why not enter the Severn Bridge? It’s not until the end of August. It’s the one I entered first as it looks like such an iconic run! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Now there’s an idea... I shall discuss with Katnap, he could do with entering at least one race 🤔🤓👍

[Granspeed Graduate]

Very inspiring. 👏🏼😊👍 Well done and happy running to all.

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Thanks Granspeed 👍🤗

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You don't want your money back then?

Well done.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks Ian! I’m sorry I left you off my list 😩 you’ve been a star 🌟🤗

[RunBrianRun Graduate]

Happy runniversary to you! Inspiring post and long may you continue on your journey. 👍

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thanks Brian, good luck with your journey 😊

[molly1973 Graduate]

Congratulations!

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to molly1973]

Thanks Molly, have fun with your journey 😀

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Tap on W1R1 run on the app and it tells you when you did it

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

That’s part of the problem Tasha, I didn’t use the app until I started Week 3 😩, and I’d done Weeks 1 & 2 a couple of times before I got going. It was all a bit muddled. I just know when I finished 😁 Thanks though 👍

[lexi6 Graduate]

Fantastic post Tailchaser and congratulations on your runniversary 👍😀

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to lexi6]

Thanks lexi, hope all is well with you 🤗

[lexi6 Graduate]

Yes thanks Tailchaser, just great, 🙂 although Autumn is here cool temperatures and rain this morning, nice running in the cooler temperatures though. Your runiversary would have been about the same time as mine. I started on February 16 2018. Cheers 🥂

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to lexi6]

Oh wow, congratulations lexi 🥂 It was nice here in the autumn running in cooler temperatures after the heat of last summer. You must have done most of your C25K in the winter then? That takes some determination 💪

[lexi6 Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

To be fair the weather was quite mild at the beginning, but became very challenging mid winter. I unfortunately haven’t the room for a treadmill but will use one at the gym on a casual basis this year. Expensive, but better than being reacquainted with my couch 😁

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to lexi6]

Good idea. I use the treadmill if I reeeaaally have to but they are so dull!

[SeeJillRun Graduate]

Great post and congratulations on your runniversary! I did my W5R1 today so it’s great to read how this has impacted your life 1 year on, I’m looking forward to experiencing many of those same benefits. Best of luck with the 10k’s!

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

Thanks Jill, I look forward to seeing how you get on. All the best with your journey and good luck for the rest of your C25K 👍

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

Thank you! Have to say I’m loving it so far, it’s completely addictive n I’m already feeling and seeing the benefits 😀

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

Brilliant! 😀👍💪

[Wimborne]

Happy Runniversary TC. What a fabulous year... 🏃🏼‍♀️💕.

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Wimborne]

Thanks Wimborne, it’s been the best way to start my 50’s 😃

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Happy runniversary TailChaser. I think we graduated about the same time in mid May, but like you I don’t know the definite day I started as I had a couple of false starts and skiing interrupted the flow.

It has been great to share everyone’s journeys, especially yours as you starting running has trickled down to your whole family. It is definitely a life changer.

The support on this forum has been great too.

Celebrate, you deserve it. 🥂🍾🎂🧁

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Yay Dexy! Yes, graduated second week of May. You’ve had a pretty amazing experience too, coming off your blood pressure medication - it really does make such a difference. And the support: it would be very difficult to do it without it and possibly impossible once you’ve graduated as you feel a bit rudderless without the guide.

Thank you! Hope the skiing is going well and that you get to celebrate too 🥂

[Makka62a Graduate]

Absolutely fabulous!

[TailChaser Graduate]

Thanks Makka 👍

[Hidden]

Happy Runniversary TailChaser! This is such a wonderful post!... Super runner! 🖤🥂

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Oh thanks star, that means a lot 🤗 I can’t believe it’s been a whole year’ 🥂

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

Whoop Whoop!! 💕 Happy Happy Runniversary to my special friend 🦆🏃‍♀️🦋 You continue to amaze and inspire me!! X

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Flaraflarkin]

Mutual inspiration Flara 😁💪 thank you for being my smashing virtual and real running buddy 🤗🦋🦆🥂x

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Happy runniversary to you ! And many happy returns x

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Thanks Buttercup, I definitely intend to 🤗 x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Happy Runniversary to you my friend... and what a super post for all those starting out here... It really is worth it

PS

What is the tattoo and where x

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss, you are a true inspiration to all us newbies and not so newbies 🤗. It is most definitely worth it - I had cellulite a year ago, where has it gone??? 😂

My tattoo is on this post:

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Hopefully, next time we meet, I can wear a short sleeved top rather than 5 layers so I can air it to the world (and probably get ‘quacked’ at 😂)

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Lovely post. Congratulations for your year. Lovely to meet you at parkrun, which feels like your natural habitat!

Enjoy the year ahead and all the runs it brings, especially the next one x

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Thanks Jay, it was a pleasure and honour to run with you. You know, I think you’re right - parkrun feels like home, wherever it is 😀

You too Jay, and I’m always looking forward to the next run - where to next? 🤗😀 x

[over61andstilltrying Graduate]

Wow! What an amazing year you have had! Happy Runiversary to you! 🍾🥂🎂👏🏻😊🎉👍☀️ 💥⚡️ 🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️ Incredibly special that your family have joined in as well. Fantastic!

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks over61! Yes, I still have to pinch myself when they’re all around me - we help each other to keep going nearly as much as this forum does 😀🤗👏

[Tinkto5k]

Great post and thanks for the motivation 😉 I'm about to start week 8 tomorrow, still running at a very slow pace and have difficulty breathing calmy...yet I'm determined to get through the fitness barrier!! Happy runiversary to you 😊

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Tinkto5k]

Thank you 🤗 You will Tink, it all comes in time, including the breathing. You’ve made it this far, the next couple of weeks are just the icing on the cake. If you feel yourself floundering once you’ve graduated, come over to the Bridge to 10k, there’s plenty to keep you motivated there. Looking forward to see you graduating! 💪👍🥂

[Tinkto5k in reply to TailChaser]

Thanks, will keep at it! have joined Bridge to 10k 😉

[Cazza26 Graduate]

Great post Tailchaser! This running can be a real life changer, can’t it?!

Your post oozes enthusiasm - very uplifting!

Long may we all enjoy and benefit from our fab new hobby (even if it does involve a lot of fluorescent pink) 🙄 !!!

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Cazza26]

Oh don’t get me started on fluorescent pink Cazza - just...why??????! 🤷🏻‍♀️ Karrimor especially - affordable running clothes...as long as you like pink...😤

Anyway...yes...I don’t think I’ve been this enthusiastic about anything for a very, very long time - isn’t it fab?! Thanks Cazza! 😃

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

🎶Happy Runniverary to you, Happy Runniversary to you, Happy Runniversary dear TailChaser, Happy Runniversary to you 🎶. Congrats on a great year and many great changes.

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thank you SaskAlliecat 🤗

[uncle_wiggy Graduate]

Happy runniversary TailChaser, what a fab year it has been. That one run can be the catalyst for a whole feline family being fitter and healthier is wonderful! 👍

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to uncle_wiggy]

Thanks uncleW 😀 I know, who’d have thought it! A year ago, I had a frustrated kitten with a poorly paw who couldn’t run, a lazy kitten who wouldn’t run and a hubby who hated running. Hubby now runs about 15-20 miles most weeks, frustrated kitten is much better from actually doing his physio and even lazy kitten is a C25K graduate with 8 Parkruns under his belt! 😃