Running? Me?!!!!

[Fiftyfive25k]

Hi All, I’ve just competed W1R2 and I cannot believe how much I’m loving it!

I have spent my whole life convinced that I hated running - a legacy of those freezing school cross-country sessions, that it was boring and latterly, that I couldn’t do it as I had been diagnosed with arthritis.

Imagine my shock and delight that I have discovered in just two runs that none of the above is true !!

I am taking it slowly, reading all the advice on here and being very inspired by your stories. I always need a goal to motivate me - I’ve set myself 3 - to finish C25K, to participate in my first ParkRun as soon as I am able to and then to train up to 10k with a a goal of competing in a race in October. In a rush of post W1R1 euphoria the other day I even seriously considered entering the ballot for the London Marathon 2020😳😳. I know how far 26.2 miles is - I’ve walked it twice for the Moonwalk - but could I seriously run it????!!! I’m going to find out. This past week has literally changed my life - never felt better. Thanks to you all for getting me off that couch and out onto the road.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

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

Enjoy your journey.

[Fiftyfive25k in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you - I’ve read the guide, it’s now my bible ! Thanks for the welcome and the encouragement - this is a great forum.

[Runfatgirlrun71 Graduate]

Welcome! It’s great and great to have big targets ...I graduated some weeks ago ...I too was thinking the same Sunday until I ran yesterday ..and remembered just how far 5k feels to me still haha. It great isn’t it. Well done you, do read the pinned beginners post it has a great deal of stuff that helped me.

[Fiftyfive25k in reply to Runfatgirlrun71]

Thanks ! I’ll have a look at the post now. 26.2 miles is a massively long way ! It’s easy to get seduced by watching the atmosphere of the Marathon on the telly isn’t it!!? I walked it in just under 7 hours the last time I did it but running it would be a whole new ballgame. Especially since running for a minute at a time is all I can manage at the moment 😳😳😂😂

[Runfatgirlrun71 Graduate in reply to Fiftyfive25k]

Wow. You could ..maybe in a while or you walked it. I could not walk that far ! That’s impressive.

[Fiftyfive25k in reply to Runfatgirlrun71]

The last time was 6 years ago...... not really exercised since - took up yoga 6 months ago and feel so much better and stronger that I decided to sign up to C25K........

[Debston Graduate]

That's wonderful that you are feeling so positive! That wonderful feeling of 'I CAN do this!' is such a buzz and keeps me going when things feel tough on a run. But the toughest bit for me was getting started on Week 1 so well done, you're over that hurdle already.