To 5k and beyond

[MatildasPb]

Oldfloss has asked graduates to share their post C25k experiences.

I started Couch late May 2018 and graduated September that year. JuJu’s plan for 10k got me over the next hurdle. RoseAbi took me all the way to half marathon in May this year.

This post is written in the spirit of saying thank you to the kind and selfless admins on this and other groups. Plus all the other lovely people here that supported me along the way.

Stick with the plan - it works. Oh, in case you think I was young and fit when I started, I was 18 months post new heart valve and 61 at the time.

Good luck and happy running.

👍

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Wow! Look how far you have come! This is wonderful, and testament to the fact that running IS for everyone. Happy running!

[damienair Graduate]

Hey hello. I work with a Medical Company in Cardiac Surgery and part of my Portfolio are Heart Valves.

I graduated in June 2 years ago. I ran away afterwards 3 x times per week. I fell in love with Parkrun and tried my best to go sub 30 minutes. However my local Parkrun has a tough hill which must be tackled 3 times and the closest I could get was 31:04. In the August after I graduated I did 29:56 in a 5K Road Race and I was thrilled. I then worked to get to 10K which I got that October in 1 hour 15 mins. I then stopped for a couple of months and worked hard in January and February 2018 to build back up my limited fitness. I then put my back out and could not run for 7 months. Started back last October and November but stopped again in December.

So in January 2019 I said right I’m doing this. My goal was to lose 2 stone in weight, run a sub 28 min 5K Parkrun and a sub 1 hour 10K Road Race.

So far I’ve hit my 2019 goals. I’ve got a Parkrun PB of 26:30 at my local Parkrun with the hills. I’ve ran a 6K Road Race and my last 5K were sub 26 mins. And I ran a couple of 10K road races getting a PB of 58:08. I’ve got 40 Parkruns under my belt and have volunteered 11 times. Last weekend I was the 28 minute pacer. Oh yeah, I also lost 2.5 stone in weight.

Running has changed my life. I love it. I love this Forum and I adore Parkrun.

My next goal is to get to 50 Parkruns by end of September and get a sub 25 min PB.

Damien

[MatildasPb Graduate in reply to damienair]

Please pass on my thanks to you and your work colleagues. My new valve has given me a whole new lease of life. The old one was doomed from the start due to an inherited issue.

Very impressive 5k times! I’m still working on a sub 30 Parkrun.

Thanks again and happy running.

[damienair Graduate in reply to MatildasPb]

😂😂😂 You May not have one of the Valves the company I work for supply. But they are all good. I am so happy to hear you are doing so well after such invasive surgery and your new heart valve has given you a new lease of life. Happy running.

[backintime Graduate]

I am loving the Graduates coming back and telling their stories. It is inspiring to me.

Thank you all

[Kertesz]

Amazing story Damien - a real inspiration... thank you!!