Still overweight but in better condition Grandad nears the end of the course.

[Hatman]

Do not read this if you don’t want to know how long the runs are.

Mid March 2019, I started this C25K course, not expecting to finish it.

A few weeks before that I had loaded an app onto my iPad, and tried to run round with Sarah Millican hanging round my neck.

Not knowing how far to go in 25 minutes,I ran circles round the nearby allotments. Feet very wet and the dog walkers seemed amused as I passed them repeatedly. Oh how I longed for her to say I could walk again after 90 seconds running? in week 2. OK I did walk early a couple of times.

By mid March, I had inherited a phone from my daughter, it had a camera and apps too. Getting used to that took my mind off all this exercise malarkey. Seemed to have the tech stuff sorted, by now I had found the podcast, which includes tunes and lovely Laura, with instructions and encouragement. Started week 1 again.

I settled in the end for using the podcast on a tiny iPod. Fits the chest pocket of my bright red running jacket a treat. Says I, who spent the first few weeks dressing as if I was just going for a walk. It doesn’t need recharging very often either.

Weeks 1 & 2 were hard. I always seemed to have to start running just as I got to the uphill bit. Solved that! Ran down then walked back up.

By weeks 3 & 4 I had a copy of the run chart on the fridge door and pencilled ticks as I progressed each day. I had run for FIVE MINUTES non stop! and I felt better.

By week 5r3 I had my doubts. Twenty minutes! Let’s give it a try, and I did it! 😯 WOW! Elation.

Ticks now in biro and more confident.

Week 6? Well, did it once, ok it was very slow. Breathing easier now, not gasping so much. 7 is only the same as 6.3. That was, well, ok.

Now all of a sudden it is week 8. Just a few minutes longer. Should be in reach.

I’m lucky; there are two parallel roads from this village to the next. Couple of hundred metres/yards apart. Roads connect them, like ladder rungs. Having gained in confidence, I am now increasing my distance, gently, by trying to just run to the next corner before turning. So encouraging when, halfway down that road, Laura says “Halfway.“ And I still got back to the same corner where Laura said “Stop” in week 4.

Just come in from 8/2, and put a big marker pen tick on the fridge door.

In Week 3, it worried me that I was going to run for 3 minutes non stop. Now I am about to add 3 minutes, in week 9, to my current 25 mins non stop, confidently. That should mean that halfway will be the Co-op.

My app says today was 3.5km, that includes my five minutes walk each end. I was breathing normally by the end of the warm down though.

I was gasping for ages, at home, in Week1. So that is great progress on its own.

I have run alternate days for weeks now.

Should I maintain my Co-op and back run?

Perhaps stretch the distance more in the 30 minute time? How far should I aim to go in 30 mins?

A 5K park run seems a silly idea at this moment.

Certainly would not consider Bridge to 10k until 5 was done and done easily.

Suggestions welcomed please from all you fabulous supportive folks out there in C25k land.

Please bear in mind I am 2 stone heavier than I should be, and not in the first flush of youth.

Consolidation sounds like a good word at the moment.

Funnily enough, I am looking forward now, to next weekend and my last official run of the course.

[Debston Graduate]

Well done, you're doing brilliantly! I hope that lots of people who are thinking of making a start will read your inspiring story. By the way, I'm on Week 8 and those 3 minutes extra really aren't noticeable. Never thought I'd say that!

[Hatman Graduate in reply to Debston]

Thanks and Good for you. The end is in sight 🏆 such a good feeling isn’t it?

[Debston Graduate in reply to Hatman]

It really is!

[notquiteretired Graduate]

just wanted to say its inspiring to read a post from a runner who sounds like he started much like I am now and has progressed to running 25 constant minutes- posts like this prove to the rest of us that it can be done , it is within our capabilities. As an “older newbie” I salute you , well done 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Hatman Graduate in reply to notquiteretired]

Thank you sir. May you soon ditch the not quite.

You have done the worst bit. Week 5 is a bit different, but you have done 5 minutes before, and 3 minutes too. This week puts them together. It’s ok though. It works. Follow the plan and believe in it. It does really work. Hard to imagine until you do it. Then you think “it wasn’t too bad and I am over halfway through”.

So difficult to believe that you have improved so much over these few short weeks isn’t it?

But it is true. Well done you!

[Sasquatch19 Graduate]

Well done you 👏🏻 An inspiration to anyone who is considering starting this. Good luck with your last week, sure you will feel elated. 👍🏻😀

[Hatman Graduate in reply to Sasquatch19]

Thanks. Love the shirt. Have a great day tomorrow.

[Julia187 Graduate]

What a fantastic post, you're an inspiration! I hope your family are very proud of you. Definitely do the consolidation runs 3 runs of 30 minutes per week for 3 weeks, I've nearly completed this and have noticed a small improvement most runs, feel stronger and have more stamina. Keep up your great work!

[Hatman Graduate in reply to Julia187]

Thanks youngster. I will add to my aCRonym list. Sleep well.

[Icandoit2019 Graduate]

Well done what an amazing journey!!

[Hatman Graduate in reply to Icandoit2019]

Thanks and now 4lb lighter too and tauter tum. Congrats to you on Graduating 🏆👍🥂😄😁