On May Bank Holiday in 2017, at the age of 47, 2 stone overweight and having never run in my life, I started couch to 5K after a couple of false starts. The first 6 weeks were really hard but with help from this site I got into my stride for the last 2 weeks. Completed my first Parkrun in July 2017 and then my first 10k in October 2017. In May 2018 I completed my first Half Marathon and in October 2018 I completed my first Sprint Triathlon. Last weekend I completed my first Marathon (and loved it) and I'm now targeting a Half Ironman Triathlon in September.
I have loved my journey and amazed myself with each achievement (however small) along the way - I'm a dog walker / couch potato at heart. I've still not lost all of that 2 stone but I feel so much better mentally and physically.
At times it has been tough but you learn to accept the days when you don't run well and things don't go as planned.
So whether you're just starting or almost completing couch to 5k, enjoy it - however hard it may seem, because you never know where it might take you.
Written by
slowdave
Graduate
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Wow amazing I’m not s natural born runner can’t believe I’ve got to week 7 reading this has inspired me ! Mentally it’s good for me I lost my dad a year ago and suffer with depression so when effort is need to get up and do it I remember how good I always feel after x Thanku for your story x
Well done Yellowbelly15. My first real pride along the journey was completing Wk6 and that feeling of achievement has never left me. Keep going, you're almost there and who knows where it will take you?
Fantastic journey... those 2 stones don’t matter as much as that fitness and health. Congratulations on all your achievements, especially completing that first 26.2... I get the feeling you’ll be getting an Ironman medal before too long.
Brilliant story! I’m on week 8 and have loved the journey. The structure is just what I needed and it’s worked a treat. It’s been so interesting to see how the programme has made me a runner when I couldn’t even do cross country at school. Who knows where this will take me and your experience is inspiring 😊.
Thank you for sharing this. So inspiring. I am a woman who has not exercised in decades but woke up on my 64th birthday with exactly the same urge that drove me to change my lifestyle and try to get fit. I have lost 2 stone, started couch to 5k and am now in week 8. Neither I nor anyone who knows me can believe that I have done it! I look and feel 10 years younger and my life has been transformed - like so many of yours. The most important feeling - like so many of you are experiencing I'm sure - is that I can now tackle anything in my life that needs to change. There is no need to put up with low (or high) level dissatisfaction in your life if it is within your power to take control and do something about it. Reading your post has given me new ambition. Maybe I will make it to 10k!!
Yes you will get to 10k. I feel/felt exactly the same. I started C25k around my 66th birthday in November. Almost at 10k. But it’s my mind and confidence that has changed so much as a result that friends and family are commenting on it. I’m fitter, more confident and happier than I’ve ever been. Not what I was expecting but brilliant nevertheless. 🏃🏻♀️😊
I can’t imagine achieving all that. But, I’ve got to week 8 and I still can’t believe I’ve done that ! Maybe there’s a future in running I never knew could exist . Well done on all your achievements 👏
Very inspirational post, thank you. Just started week 5 here which I know is a big turning point. I can’t say I’m “enjoying running” yet but I am enjoying the achievement of pushing myself a little further every week. This forum has been great for motivation
Wow how fantastic, well done. It just shows what can be achieved when you really set your mind on something. You've inspired me, I'm on week 2 run 1 so have far to go!
Week 2 run 1 is further than I got on my first 2 attempts so well done. I'm sure it is the couch to 5k format which allowed me to get my mind set on it after many years of fitness failures.
So, let me get this straight: within 2 years you went from not running at all (just like me).... to a FULL MARATHON? and now you are exploring and taking part in TRIATHLONS (whatever that is, as it's way beyond my understanding!!!)...?
*Wow. Just. Wow*
So, if you've kept some of the 2 stone you needed to lose, you probably converted it all to solid muscle, and have the body of a God (no, not Budda)... and there are lots of ladies out there wanting to see some before and after pics ... or am I the only wierd type that dares mention that...? : )
PB
PS definately got to change your 'name' on here LOL (unless you took 7 hours to do your marathon!)
That's right - within 2 years I've gone from never having run to completing a marathon in 4hrs49mins and I'm also competing in Triathlons (swim/cycle/run).
I didn't start out with this aim, I started out to lose weight and get fit but I just kept going.
I set myself lots of little targets along the way, run 5k, run 5k under 30mins, run 5k under 28mins, run 10k, run HM, complete a triathlon and so on. I took as long as it took to make each step and in truth I'm not sure where it will end.
The body has improved, good legs and the swimming is helping the torso but that's still a work in progress!
That is an AMAZING time for a first marathon! So, Steady-Dave it is then! Congrats on your fabulous achievements to date, and long may they continue.
I'm due to Graduate in the next 6 days, a few days before my 50th, and remember vividly the 'tomato' face and panting, sweating result of W1 R1... and being told by everyong on here to 'slow down'.
I go really, really slow now, but I can't wait to keep working at it so that I get to speed up one day... my post-grad target will be to do 5km in 30 mins.
I look forward to your before after pictures when you've got that torso in trim!!!
yes totally agree...addictive is the word. Today went out for my first post C25K run. Lovely sunny day took in the scenery did not worry about anything at all and just ran as I felt. Ended up doing only 25mins but 9 weeks ago I would have laughed at even thinking about running let alone 25mins worth. I found also I got "twitchy" at the thought I might have to delay running at all this morning due to other commitments...but sneakily fitted it in. I am turning into a real old forrest gump….
Well Done! I can't imagine completing at the moment but i am going to keep going! Currently only in the middle of week 2! Started to enjoy at the end of week 1 but the upping of intensity for week 2 has made me feel like i am going a bit backwards!
Week 1 was an achievement. I had 2 previous attempts at starting couch to 5k when I didn't complete week 1. I restarted the program a month later on both occasions. Just stick with it and remember to enjoy it.
don't worry about the weeks ahead, you will do it. I have and I never thought in a million years that I would. I was gasping and thought I would die at week one, so graduated this week and to be honest how my body adapted to it I have no idea, but it does. I think if I could say one thing is keep a written record of your runs and how you felt..then look back and them and you will notice how far you have come...god luck
Bloody hell!!! I missed my w3r2 today through business problem (however I still could if made it, but think subconsciously I deliberately missed it) found the first run this week extremely hard (cardio wise) I have now decided to do week 3 both this week and next week meaning only 2 runs of week 3 this week & 3 next week. Your story is so inspiring to me m, so a big thank you for your post 🙏. Think the hardest run for me is ajwats the first run of the day! Then the rest are not as bad until the last one when you die Haha
Just re read your story so great for posts like this with sometimes negative results to show your NOT the only one struggling (by your 2 previous attempts at C25K) so inspiring how it works if you stick at. Thanks again. I would like to keep in touch with you somehow for inspiration.
As for negative results, it's not just running that I struggled with. When I decided to try triathlons I didn't have to buy a bike - I had one in the garage which I'd bought it 5 years earlier with the intention of getting fit but had managed to use it twice per summer over those 5 years! I'm sure that the mental benefits of completing couch to 5k gave me the drive to get on the bike regularly to the point where I now regularly cycle over 50 miles.
And swimming - I was advised to go back to the beginning so I took group beginner lessons at my local pool to get the basics right. That's still a real work in progress.
I’m 2 stone overweight and aged 45. I’ve targeted to lose that 2 stone and currently Ive just finished week 5 and about to start 6. After reading your post and comparing similarities I’m going to bulk buy running shoes in anticipation of the next few years. 😁 congratulations on your achievements
Week 6 was where it began to click for me so good luck with it.
I wrote this post with the hope of maybe encouraging one person who is in the same place I was 2 years ago. I've been amazed by the response and think there may be quite a few of us out there. I'm sure you'll enjoy your journey.
Just read this again dave for motivation, thank you again for this post. I'm starting again tomorrow & im going to be answering to you on here how I did! Dave you are now my cyber coach haha (unpaid of course)
Well SlowD, what an incredible tale. We started at about the same time and I love to hear of people who have taken the foundation of C25k and built a great running edifice (with extensions in your case👍). This programme changes lives; yours and mine to name but 2!
Also nice to have the forum as family and friends tend to glaze over. I said something runny yesterday and my daughter said pointedly ‘oh do you run mum?’ 😂
You are very right HW, this program really does change lives 😊
Every morning I look forward to the email from HealthUnlocked and read most of the highlighted posts - it's so positive to see how everybody deals with the issues we all face.
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My inspiration to do this ...... 
To all newbies who think they are the slowest runners ever!
To all newbies
Anniversary 5k
New to all this - Wk1 R2 
