For anyone considering starting C25K, doubting their ability or generally wavering on the journey KEEP GOING 😁😁😁
On the 4th March this year I started C25K for the second time, having not completed the first time. Today 5 1/2 weeks after graduation I ran my first 5km. It was one of those rare days when it all comes together. I didn't set out to run 5k. I'm doing the magic 10 plan on the Bridge to 10k forum. The plan was to run 39 mins (longer than i had ever done before) but i felt so good and was at about 4.2km I just kept going.
I can't tell you how happy I am at the moment.
So please, please don't give up. This good day makes up for all those crappy ones where I couldn't catch my breath, my lungs wouldn't work or my legs ached. In 4 months I've gone from self certified couch sloth to someone that can run 5km. I'm gobsmacked.
As so many before have said "if I can do it, anyone can"
Happy running folks xxx
Written by
Jogunlikely
Graduate
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Amazing, very inspirational. I’m really enjoying the programme but there are days when I wonder if I’ll ever actually run 5k, because I jog at a snails pace.
I’d love to think that by Sept/Oct I actually could be doing 5k Autumn runs.
I love being a 🐌 until I talk to speedy people who put no effort in and still manage to do 5min/km. I did my 5k run of JuJu last night thought I was smashing my pb turned out I wasn't oh well another time for that I'm sure
Thanks CP2 yes it's quite emotional, I'm a bit teary too. I'm not sure I really believed I'd get to this point. Consolidation runs were hard going, but it's like something clicked into place today 🤗
Awww, I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying, sniff, sniff. This whole thing is pretty emotional for those of us coming to it with low confidence, a body that is, ahem, a little used, and just a tiny spark of determination that somehow turned into a roaring flame 🔥. It's a big change!
whoop whoop that is all I can say as your words say it all. Well done you and so pleased for you. That wonderful day when you suddenly run and feel free from the pain, the gremlins the days we probably have all felt like throwing in the towel come to this....that one day when you realise all that made you stronger...BRILLIANT!
I finished c25k a long way from being able to run 5k in 30 minutes so I ran my first 5k in my first park run a couple of months after graduating and yes it was emotional! It's wonderful that you have got there! I'm still slow as slow can be but I don't care. I can run! Congratulations!
Yeah well I said that too and look what's happened 😂 the idea was that running longer might help me get to 5k and maybe run the 5k a little quicker. Now I'm thinking do the magic plan by time on this go then do it again but based on distance 🤦♀️ not sure when I turned into an addict 🤷♀️
Excellent work, well done. Just be careful about pushing too hard and remember the 10% rule when extending your runs. Hitting a milestone like 5k always gives you a massive boost and helps confidence, enjoy it, you can build from this 👍
The program is amazing and coincidentally I started the same too, it was my birthday and I wanted to challenge myself and prove I could do it and yes I can.
Great, this is just what I needed to hear today. Well done to you for sticking at it. I reached W8R2 but got sick so haven’t run for more than 2 weeks. I wasn’t looking forward to getting back to it but knew that I needed to. I rewound and went back to W6R1 to build it up again. It didn’t feel as bad as I thought it would and I finished it. Im back on plan.
This very morning I did 5.05 K in 44.45 minutes, I’m doing the magic time! I feel so elated, I never felt that I would be able to do this. As Spencer Davies would say Keep on Running!
How fantastic- congratulations!! It is like magic isn’t it? Managed 25 minutes yesterday on w6r3 which frankly is nothing short of a miracle - who knew this was possible?!
You CAN do this. It can be difficult to fit in the runs, some weeks I didn't manage 3 but keep plugging away.
Remember that it is not selfish to do something for you. A fitter, happier you is a benefit to friends, family and work colleagues. Try to focus on why you've started this each time. Hold on to those reasons, use them to motivate.
Last of all run SLOWLY so that you enjoy the experience. This is supposed to be fun. Good luck 👍
Well done! That’s really spurred me on. I’ve just graduated and like many, I haven’t reached the 5K mark yet. I think at the most I’ve done about 3.5 but I intend to keep going to get myself up to 5K. It’s great to hear that someone else has done it!!
You're doing great! And I see you are using podcasts too. Isn't it so much easier when you have to focus on listening rather than having the headspace to focus on the "are we nearly there yet" ? 😆
Just be careful about not extending your running beyond the 10% rule. There's a pinned post somewhere about "what next" it explains all about gradually increasing your running time to minimise the risk of injury 👍😊
I love listening to music but I tried a podcast last week for a change and found it totally engrossing (it was Oprah interviewing Maya Angelou) and the time flew by so I’ll probably stick with it for the future. I ran for an extra eight minutes yesterday which was just enough and I wasn’t tempted to do any longer, it was far too windy and I would’ve had to tackle a hill and thought to myself, not today. I’ll see if I can find the post ‘what next’.
Thank you Jogunlikely - I’ve enjoyed reading your posts and while I’m a way behind you, they’ll be there and waiting for me to reread as I huff and joffle my way through my remaining weeks (and those that come after!). Enjoy your running - onwards and onwards!
Calf is OK thanks - W5R3 tomorrow so the first ‘long’ run since it let me down. But I’m looking forward to getting back to week 6 next week and then I’ll be back to where I left off. Just in time for longer runs in the heat!
Thanks for this post, it’s come at the perfect time for me struggling a bit with trying to finish week 8 at the moment. I love hearing stories like yours as it really helps to know it does work!
I've just popped over and read your post. Please don't be despondent about your W8R3. You're doing a grand job. As a few have suggested if you fancy a run head out for a short one. Try to finish happy so if that means your run is 10 mins then that's fine. This is supposed to be enjoyable (ish) 😆
You can could also do this on holiday, Take your gear but give yourself permission to not run. If you do run great, if you don't run the rest is equally beneficial.
Thanks so much. It honestly does help so much hearing stories like yours.
Yesterday’s run for me seems like ages ago already and I’ll head out tomorrow morning and see how things go. No pressure, just the prospect of enjoying myself and looking forward to my holidays! I like your aim of finishing happy. What more could anyone want! 👍
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oh well another time for that I'm sure
Please read this if you have a dog
Today is the day! W9r3
A good run today & a very happy me :) 
Today was a bad day. Week 4 I hate you already
Today is the day, it has to be!!
