How 14 weeks have changed my life!

[jaybrass73]

Morning everyone!

Thought I’d come over from Bridge to 10K and share a bit of my running journey so far.

I’m a 45 year old dad of two teenagers - so obviously an expert in the ‘I haven’t time to do anything like C25K’ theory - well I’ve proven myself wrong! My wake up call came at the beginning of the year when I tipped the scales at 18st 7lb and realised I was looking diabetes and heart disease squarely in the eyes.

I began by losing a stone before I started C25K on 26/02/19 and honestly haven’t looked back. I stuck religiously to the programme, took the required rest days (they definitely work!), amended my diet and started to drink lots more water (of the non-alcoholic variety!)

I went out to run in rain, sleet, sunshine, hail, fog and snow - much to the amusement of my family. I’ve run at 5am and 11pm and most times between. I’m now addicted!

My mental health has improved, I’m more relaxed and I’m sleeping around 7 hours every night. I’m now two and a half stones lighter with another stone to go (I’m well on the way to that!)

The C25K programme is brilliant, this forum is brilliant - use it as much as you can. The admins all deserve medals for the time they spend maintaining this group!

I ran a 7K trail recovery run last night - exactly 14 weeks after running W1R1 and the day after running my first ever 10K. I’ve now signed up to four further 10K runs, one each in Aug, Sep, Oct & Nov and will be running them for a charity very close to my heart - Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Stick with it, find your pace and I only hope that you develop the same love of running that I have!

Happy running

Jamie 🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️

[Lauren_ICanDoThis Graduate]

Well done Jamie.

You have done so well and should be really proud of yourself.

X

[Bookloverabc Graduate]

That's amazing! Well done

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

A great story Jamie! I have also found the mental health benefits are huge and really notice the weeks I can't get my runs in - my ability to handle my stressful job is definitely compromised. I will run tonight despite no sleep last night....and will feel better for it despite how the run may feel at the time.

[Jelly-bean16 Graduate]

Hi Jamie, I graduated around 2 May and was interested in what you said about ‘bridge to 10k’. I’m doing a 10k app am at week 11 after they put me straight in at week 9 (the app must’ve somehow registered the graduation badge) but it’s not an NHS app unfortunately as I couldn’t find it. The one I’m on has an American voice and the forum seems nonexistent so I’m interested in what the bridge to 10K is as I’ve heard it mentioned before.

Thank you.