Hello Fellow Runners,
It’s been a while since I’ve posted on here, but as it’s 1 year to the day since I first stepped out the door on my Week 1 Run 1 C25K journey, I thought it was time to share my personal journey and say just how much C25K has changed my life for the better.
A year ago to this day, following decades of over indulging, struggling to fight off various self-destructive vices such as alcohol abuse, heavy smoking binge eating and generally abusing my body without caring about the consequences, I finally summoned up the drive and determination to get my backside out of the house, do something constructive for a change and so began my C25K journey and what a journey it has been.
Prior to this I’d not taken part in any form of exercise since leaving school in the 1980’s and it is no exaggeration when I say that I was struggling even to get my socks on in the morning, finding that even this simplest of day to day task was leaving me short of breath, so it really was make or break time. In my head I told myself that I either got off my backside and do something about it or carry on as I was in the knowledge that there was the ever increasing risk of premature death, which was not something I wanted to inflict on my wife and children.
I can still recall vividly that 1st run of week 1, off I set on my 1st 60 Second run with a sense of determination and self-consciousness. Still in denial of just how out of shape I was following 30 years of zero exercise and not wanting to look as if I couldn’t handle a “short” little 60 run, I set off at a pace that I thought would look acceptable to the average passer-by, only to find that after only 30 seconds I was desperate for that first minute to be over. Then…phew it was time to walk, time to get my breath back ready for the 2nd 1-minute run, did I get my breath back in time? Not a chance, but off I went again, wondering what the hell I was doing to myself, “People do this for fun and enjoyment? Are they complete masochists?” I thought to myself. By the 4th of the 1 minute runs I was all but ready to collapse in a heap on the ground after taking on a small incline, but I’m a stubborn old goat, so not getting through this 1st workout was never going to be an option. Somehow, I huffed, puffed, hobbled and sweated my way through to the end of the 8 running sections and dragged myself home. I hobbled in through the front door, dripping from head to toe in sweat to the inquisitive greeting of “How did you get on?” to which I believe my reply was “help, I think I’m dead, everything hurts, I need water!”. Then the most bizarre feeling came over me as I crawled up the stairs with the little energy I had left for a much needed shower, I was buzzing with a huge adrenaline charged sense of achievement and although just moving was taking all the effort I could muster, I couldn’t wait to get back out there in a couple of days and try it again!
It took time, but I did notice that after a while, it became a little easier, particularly with regards to my recovery times between runs and discovered that the Mental battle of completing the runs was quite possibly even more difficult to conquer than the physical one. I won’t lie, it was tough, I struggled week after week and it hurt a lot as my body grew stronger. By the end of week 3 my knees had all but given up and I thought I would have to throw the towel in, but an extra days rest and a good dose of Ibuprofen got me through it and by then end of week 4 both me and my knees felt stronger than ever. Each week was more and more challenging, with week 7 being my personal demon getting used to those continuous runs, but with those ever more challenging weeks also came that growing sense of achievement as I completed them. By week 8 everything finally fell into place, I discovered a technique that I had been reading about for weeks on the forum but just not got, I SLOWED down! I already thought I was running as slow as I could be , but I was wrong and at the end of W8R1, I not only got the huge buzz of adrenaline at the completion of the run, I had run the whole 28 minutes with the biggest smile on my face loving every second of it. There was a minor injury setback at the end of week 8 after my foot landed at an awkward angle down a rabbit hole, which lead to some frustration. This was probably the hardest part of the whole C25K journey, NOT being able to run when I was so close to the end of the program, but looking back I think it was probably meant to be as it lead to my Graduation Run being on the morning of Father’s day. The graduation run was my 1st ever 5k Run which I completed in a time of 34.33 and I felt it was only right to dedicate the run to my father who had sadly passed away the previous year. To say it was an emotional day was an understatement.
Since graduating I’ve had a wonderous few months, simply running for the sake of running and for the sheer enjoyment that it gives me and can honestly say that this is one of the best things I’ve ever done with my life and wish I’d started decade before.
I’ve run Sub 30 Minute 5k’s a few times now (the fastest being at last week’s Parkrun at a time of 28.15) and I’ve increased my running distance up to 10K, so what’s next? The next target I’m setting myself is to run home from work on a regular basis (about 14k), then maybe think about entering some organised races (if the kid’s busy social lives don’t get in the way!), distances will also continue to increase over time with the possible intention of maybe going for a Half Marathon next year (The London Landmarks Half has particularly caught my eye).
As for all the demons and issues I had prior to embarking on the C25K journey, well running seems to have taken over my life and has kept the cravings for excess alcohol, nicotine and excessive eating at bay. I’m pleased to say that I’m no longer haunted with these particular demons, since I discovered the much healthier and happier addiction of Running to fill those voids.
Running is now not only a hobby, an interest, a pastime or a form of exercise for me. I honestly believe that Running has been my lifesaver, my healthy addiction and a defining part of who I am as a person.
As for lessons learnt over the past year, the following spring to mind
1.If you are struggling SLOW DOWN, even if you think you’re going as slow as you can, believe me there’s still a slower gear.
2.Listen to your body. You’ll soon come to learn the difference between a normal ache through doing exercise and a more serious injury. Frustrating as it is listen to your body and rest if you need to.
3.Fast is great but also hard work, slower leisurely runs really embrace the enjoyment of this wonderful pastime.
4.Don’t compare yourself to others or try to keep up. Go at your own pace, we are all different with all different abilities, it’s not a competition.
5.Don’t worry about what others think, you will not be judged (although I still tend to speed up when I pass people out walking the dog, trying to look more professional than I am 😊).
6.Variety of routes and places to run, keeps things interesting.
7.Most of all BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, IT IS ALL ACHIEVABLE WITH TIME, PATIENCE AND EFFORT.
So……for those of you just starting out whatever your reasons for doing so, be it fitness, mental health, weight loss or just a hobby, firstly a huge WELL DONE.
Those of you doubting yourselves thinking you cannot do this – YOU CAN 😊
For those of you who think you're too slow – DON’T WORRY, YOU’RE NOT. THERE IS NO SUCH THING, GO AT YOUR OWN PACE, YOUR DOING GREAT 😊
For those of you who think you are not covering enough distance – YOU’RE NOT, DON’T WORRY EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND COVERS A DIFERENT DISTANCES IN DIFFERENT TIMES. SO LONG AS YOU’RE RUNNING FOR THE ALLOCATED TIME, YOU’RE SMASHING THIS 😊
For those of you about to embark on the milestone W5R3 20-minute run - YOU CAN DO THIS AND THE BUZZ YOU GET AT THE END OF IT IS UP THERE WITH YOUR GRADUATION RUN 😊
For those of you who are struggling with a particular week/run – DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT, TAKE YOUR TIME, SLOW THINGS DOWN A LITTLE AND GIVE IT ANOTHER GO, THIS IS NOT A RACE, YOU’LL GET THERE IN THE END 😊
For those of you who are in need of advice on any aspect of your running no matter how silly it seems - DON'T BE SHY, JUST ASK ON THIS WONDERFUL FORUM AND I'M SURE YOU WILL GET ALL THE HELP YOU NEED 😊
I’ll stop waffling in a bit, but before I do, I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone on this forum (especially the admin team who give of themselves selflessly on a day to day basis), you are all great.
HAPPY RUNNING EVERYBODY, YOU’RE ALL FANTASTIC 😊
A year ago ....
My first year of running
My love of running is well and truly resurrected!
It's been a while!
What a journey...from a running sceptic to a convert
