A quiet sense of achievement

[UFO1]

Ive never posted throughout the nine or so weeks of the couch to 5K program, but after successfully completing the course I thought I'd give my take on it.

A heart attack in February at the age of 56 came as a big shock. I'd been lulled into a false sense of security since I was always on the thin side and didn't carry much weight. But I'd ignored my family history, a less than ideal diet, ZERO exercise and a bit of the dreaded middle-aged spread. Anyway it happened!

I found I enjoyed cardiac rehabilitation physiotherapy so I wanted to carry on the recommended level of exercising three times a week. I was vaguely aware of the 5K app so I downloaded it and started about 9/10 weeks after the heart attack.

I hadn't ran since school nearly 40 years ago and sure enough, the first week was HARD. But I persevered, following the guidance to the letter and, as the wise sages on this site constantly say, "trusted the app".

To anybody just starting out, the hardest part is the first run. But with a bit of motivation it is perfectly possible to get to the end. I did! I can't honestly say I enjoy running but it no longer scares me. I may run further in future, but for the moment I've achieved my goal of running for 30 minutes, three times a week and I'm extremely happy with that.

Good luck to all you future runners and thanks for the free advice from the good people of these forums.

[Colinsmith]

Massive congratulations, that’s a brilliant achievement after your heart attack. Good luck with your running, hopefully the enjoyment can come with time... I do enjoy it personally (most of the time) but it has become a compulsion more than anything else!

[AndyB111s Graduate]

Congratulations on changing your lifestyle following the heart attack and carrying on with the exercise. Also well done on making it to the end of the course. As for enjoying running or not.. i guess it's a personal thing. I'm hoping once my fitness builds i may grow to love it

Thanks for posting your thoughts though.. and good luck going forward 👍

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Congratulations on completing c25k you must be so pleased well done 😊😊👏👏. So glad you are doing well. To get your graduation badge scroll down to the bottom and leave a message on the June graduation badges 2019

[backintime Graduate]

Well done, a big turnaround in your life ! It can't have been easy. Will you carry on running now ?

Don't forget to ask for your badge

[UFO1 Graduate in reply to backintime]

I will most definitely carry on running, although I'm happy to stick to 30 minute jogs rather than attempt 5Ks, 10Ks and half-marathons 😀

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating this plan. Sadly, you were an example of something I’ve said a few times... it’s possible to be good BMI and totally unhealthy. Which is something I normally say to those also looking to lose weight... fitness and health are more important, and should always be addressed first. From a heart attack in February to running 30 minutes at a time is absolutely amazing and a very inspirational read. Celebrate your achievement, enjoy your new much healthier life, and all your future running adventures

[Begin56]

Huge Well Done to you. Congrats on completing and I do hope you continue to have good health. Thanks for posting.

[JaoJao]

Well done on taking the c25k step and how lucky to survive the heart attack (Many do not 😢).

So pleased to hear you are enjoying it and embracing it and the journey is not over yet, its merely just begun! Don’t forget to do consolidation (I’m doing this right now) and how about trying a park run? I’ve been to two now and am addicted.

There is a FAQ article on what to do once c25k is over and its worth a read.

All the best for.

[Yogaandrun Graduate]

Thanks for sharing your inspiring story. Well done on completing.

[Ozbeth]

What a great post... Well done you!

[mcgurr]

Standing ovation time!!!!! Very well done.

[Bobalong]

I haven't posted for a long time but your words struck a cord.

Brilliant and well done on getting to the 30 minute C25K milestone especially so with your heart prob. - very brave. Give yourself a big pat on the back. Are you running on your own? I ask this because I did the C25K three years ago and later on my son mentioned about Parkrun. I went along to the Saurday morning Cambridge park run at the lovely Milton Country Park. I've met some great people and it gave me a real incentive during the week to keep running especially on those cold winter mornings when it's a struggle to drag this 72 year old body out of bed! Can't speak too highly of Parkrun. It's a shared experience and you meet people from different walks of life and makes running so much more enjoyable. Good luck and well done again on getting over that 30 minute line.

Bobalong

[UFO1 Graduate in reply to Bobalong]

Maybe in the near future. At the moment I'm happy with 30 minute jogs

[Danithegirl001]

Thank you for sharing that. Great achievement - you should be proud of yourself. An inspiration for those of us at the beginning of the journey. 🙏

[Hidden]

What an achievement UFO1 . You should be so proud of yourself. ✌

[Serenity0365 Graduate]

Thank you UFO1 so inspiring. I am about your age and your story makes me want to enjoy each day all the more, thank you. PS I personally hope you continue to run and try parkrun.

[Calopteryx]

Seriously impressed. I really like hearing the stories of people running for the first time who are not in the first bloom of youth. That's because I'm 61, and I have the gremlin on my shoulder saying I can't do this, I'm too old/unfit/unappealing in lycra... But then all you inspirational folk show me otherwise. No other possible route for me now but continuing with the programme.

[UFO1 Graduate in reply to Calopteryx]

You must carry on. Good luck.

[MuddledGardener Graduate]

Congratulations on surviving the heart attack and completing C25K. What a wonderful achievement! I’m sure your heart is thanking you for running. Good luck! 🎉🎉🎉

[UFO1 Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener]

Heart, yes. Legs perhaps less so.

[MuddledGardener Graduate in reply to UFO1]

😂😂😂