I don’t normally write posts, and for a while now I’ve been hovering around this forum working up the courage to say something. What is immediately clear from reading some of the posts is how abundantly clear the respect and love people have for both each other and running. The motivation and friendliness shared has given me great inspiration at many points where I’ve felt tired, sore and down hearted both mentally and physically. This forum, besides my family and friends, has become a support network. One in which to my relief has like minded people with similar goals and struggles to my own.
Today I have finally completed my graduation run. It still hasn’t fully sunk in yet. I keep thinking back to my first run where I struggled to run for 30 seconds. It took me three consecutive tries of W1R1 to even finish it. It was no surprise really, it was eight years since I had actually exercised properly and that was only in school PE lessons. Since then I have piled on the pounds, eating too much of the wrong things and being generally inactive. The result was being placed just over the obesity margin at 14 stone and that was a serious blow to my confidence. I have always been self conscious about my weight, but the worst part was seeing how fit and healthy other people were. How they had the stamina to even walk faster and longer than me while I sweated and panted in the background. I couldn’t keep up with them and that was the starting point for my determination to be healthier. Everyone has their own story, similar to my own but that’s mine.
I stilll have a long way to go and I’m making positive changes. Today has been the first time I can fully acknowledge myself as a runner, something that was a dream before, that only fitter people than myself could achieve.
I’ve learnt a lot from this program and in turn about myself. Thanks to Couch to 5K, I’ve learnt to pace my speed and breathing, endure the psychological and physical battle of running for extended periods and developed a technique to prevent injury as I run. Within myself, I’ve discovered motivation I never knew I had, a love for running which has enabled me to challenge myself and feel the euphoria of overcoming those challenges, and the belief that I will make it.
This has been an incredible journey for me and everyone’s is different. It’s taken me a long time to finish this program, having repeated many weeks and taken an extended gap after week five when Uni and work got in the way. If it’s one thing I’m proud for it’s coming back to and finishing it. I’m now so much fitter and energetic than I was and that has been the greatest gift. Seeing my stamina, endurance and speed improve after each run is all the motivation I need.
From my first run, I started out running 1.4km at a pace of 19’12”. Now I can comfortably run 3.8km at around 11’20”. I have a ways to go yet before I reach 5K but I’m improving all the time. I followed the same route for each 30min run. I found running in laps easier as it allowed me to clearly see improvement.
Anyway, now I should finish up this long-winded-probably-longest-ever post. I babble a lot! I guess when it all comes down to it, I’m trying to say that anyone can succeed at this if they have the determination to. I’ve improved leaps and bounds following this program and you have to believe you can too, no matter how hard it gets or how unmotivated you feel some days. Just go for it. The biggest obstacle you will ever have to face is your self.
If you’ve read this far, thanks for sticking with me. I’m sorry it’s long, I’ve realised I had a lot to get off my chest! I’ll continue updating my progress with much, much shorter posts. I wish everyone, whether your starting out on week 1, running the dreaded 20min W5R3 or graduating like me the best of luck! Over and out x
Complete 😍
Week 2 done
Wanting to start the couch25K program!
Motivation needed!!
Inside to outside...
