Today is the first anniversary of me graduating Couch to 5k.
I've gone from someone who hadn't taken regular exercise in the preceding roughly 20 years and growing to over 5 stone overweight to someone who runs regularly and loves it. I still have about a stone to lose, but it's still going. Shortly 53, separated and divorced last year (which was my main motivation for doing this at all).
My experience of this programme was one of mixed times - I had lots of gremlins, suffered a fair bit from the Toxic 10 - and I've certainly wobbled at times after.
Week 7 I hurt my back shifting some boxes which delayed week 8. Week 9 run 2 was just awful for me, despite runs 1 and 3 being good.
It took me three full weeks of consolidation to build up to actually running 5k, a feet I managed in 43 minutes 15. I thought I would die by the end of that. I've now run 5k a total of 48 times reached the dizzy time of 32 minutes 15. One day I'll get below 30 minutes. Maybe.
I followed the Bridge to 10k programme on the sister programme here from 17th July last year and made it (just!) to 10k on 25th August. I'd short cut the programme and felt I had over-reached myself with a 1 hour 18:07. It was last November before I reached 10k again and I've now done 15 of them, the fastest some 11 minutes off my first attempt.
I tried to follow the Half Marathon programme early this year but I found I'm not cut out for all of the different things you should be doing to be a well-rounded distance runner and dropped out. I did my own thing, building my 10ks into longer runs.
I managed 10 miles/16.1k on 23rd March (close to my anniversary of starting Couch to 5k) in 2 hours 11:50. I've done three more and the latest was 1 hour 53:46. That last run was my 163rd run since starting Couch.
And I've gone on to half marathon distance twice - 12th April in 2 hours 50:10 and 12th May in 2 hours 31:33.
I have never in my life been a runner. Now I've done two, three and five runs a week at various times. My "regular" running at the moment is two 5ks through the week and a long weekend run including a 10 mile and a half marathon each month, with 10ks between.
I wouldn't have done any of this without the support of the forum. I've made some great friends for life, many of whom I've never met. I think about that at some point during every run and I am grateful for what running has given me.
I've also gained immense confidence in my ability to set out and achieve something. Yes, I needed support. Yes, I wobbled. But I persevered and I've done it and continue to do it, one step at a time.
I very occasionally get a "runners high", especially if I go fast. I always get a really deep, mellow feeling which can last days after very long runs. I wouldn't want to lose that.
For those of you looking to lose weight, I didn't lose much during Couch to 5k. But its fallen off since, as has my bum! Longer runs really burn the calories. I'd recommend using something like MyFitnessPal and setting a lowish calorie target each day. Try not to eat back all of the calories from your runs, but also don't starve. Balance in all.
A motivation for me to begin running was to become the person who could attract a "special someone" I'd want to be with and enjoy life together. I had little confidence having been left for someone else and I was completely out of shape. It's very early days but someone like that has recently appeared in my life. Without running I wouldn't have had the confidence to think seriously about dating and certainly not expect to have a chance with someone who is both beautiful and a really lovely person. Sprinkles on the top of my happy life.
My advice a year on? Keep doing each run. Keep looking for and giving support here. Know that all those people out there who are super fast and sleek all started from somewhere, and many of them in exactly the place you are. Enjoy the runs. Get a watch that gives you endless stats and find joy in there - so, you were slower but, hey, check your cadence or your heart rate or your pattern of splits!
Most of all, enjoy the freedom to run we are lucky to have and grab it with both hands...and feet. All things change and one day you may not be able to do this. Don't miss the high or the mellowness.
Enjoy your next run x
Written by
Jay66UK
Graduate
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Great post as ever Jay, and I’d echo everything you’ve said.👏
I graduated C25K on 11 June and Bridge to 10K in August 2018. Since then running has become a big part of my life and I’ve made many virtual friends.🏃♂️🏃♀️🙂
To everyone considering C25K, B210K etc. I’d say stick with it, it really is worth it. It’s given me a new sense of self-belief and confidence.😀💪
Good luck everyone, wherever your running journey takes you!🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♂️
Thank you for posting this. My position is not dissimilar to yours in that my husband has told me he finds me unattractive now, although different in that we are still together. The weight seems to be the only problem.
So, the weight I have already lost coupled with the running I have been doing, I am hoping to succeed like you have.
Please don't let yourself be defined by your current weight. You are much more than that. Good luck with the running and the weight loss but, please, be doing this for you.
Thanks Jay, I'm trying to work on it. My husband is very supportive in all aspects of my life, and tells me how much he values me and loves me. He's just not attracted to me because of my weight. However, I don't want a housemate, I want a husband. So the weight is what needs to change.
What a difference! You’ve done amazing things and your words are such an inspiration for those starting out and people like myself looking at that HM distance with some nerves, but no fears because you and others like you have trail-blazed the path and also been so supportive when things aren’t going so smoothly... thanks for sticking around for all of us.
Many congratulations on all your achievements and goals reached... and I’m so pleased that you have those special sprinkles on top of your happy life... you certainly deserve to be with someone as amazing as you are.
Wow an amazing year! Great inspiration for people like me who have nearly finished the C25K but not seen any weight shifting as yet. Will keep going, thank you 😊
Such an inspirational post! I’ve got a lot going on in my life, causing a lot of stress and worry. I’ve just completed C25K today, so am inspired by your post so much. Thank you!
I have been running alongside you virtually and watching your story unfold. You are a really inspiration and I hope you have found that special someone to share your life and please carry on with your running journey. Every time I have had a low patch I have reread your posts and got myself out there again. I’m sure you have inspired loads of others too Jay.
What a year! Well done you deserve all the good things coming your way Jay it just shows what the rewards are for perseverance and grafting ! 😀
Its been just over a year for me since I finished C25K, best thing I did last year! I’m still running but have hip surgery on June 13th so I have to take it easy... the joys of been in my fifties 😂
It’s great to have posts like this on c25k to inspire those who have just started their journey and are finding it difficult to keep going. We were all there once, and being inspired and supported by previous graduates. We would never haven known that running would get easier and more enjoyable without such posts. Well done Jay, here’s to the next year . 🏃♂️👏👏
Thats a lovely post Jay, glad everything is going well for you X
I have replied on here too J... folk need to read this post
Thank you for sharing this with us J....I am sitting here in tears... mainly happy ones,for you... and all that you have achieved..
Having had the honour and pleasure to meet you...and run with you/behind you.. ( you are much faster than me) I know that that special person, you have met, has also found someone very special
This a post everyone should read and your determination, positivity and the sheer joy in your running shines through. You have achieved so, so much.
Wishing you happiness in all you do and many, many more happy runs
Thanks, Floss! And the honour was all mine - it was great to meet up.
Thank you for sharing your very honest and inspiring story. You should be very proud of what you have achieved and your optimism shines through your post.
I completely echo your sentiment about the people on this forum. The support, encouragement and advice found here amongst virtual run buddies (never strangers) constantly uplifts me.
What a wonderful post Jay, very inspirational, I wish you all the best with your new lady, I am divorced and never thought I'd find anyone else as my confidence was knocked so much in the process, I did the dating site thing, which didn't go well for me, but I'm now with the most wonderful man who happened to also be my friend for 30 years, it didn't occur to us to get together for a long time! He comes out to run with me at 5am three times a week to support me, (eventhough I slow him up considerably!) and we've found yet another thing we like to do together... Running! We did W6R3 this morning. Thank you for your advise and inspiring words.
Nice one Jay! I'm amazed how much you seem to have moved on and got that motivated can do attitude. We won't be able to keep up with you at the next meet!
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