You are all helping me so much

[Topcat09]

At the beginning of the week, having looked ahead at what running was to come, for the first time I actually felt nerves building during the day for my Wk5r1!! I’ve just done my Wk5r2 and in spite of the heat, I managed it.

In all honesty I’m now a bit apprehensive of my 20min run on Friday. However having started to read posts on here over the last week, there are lots of things that people have said which now sit in my head as I’m doing my running that are really helping me.

Just like a fair few on here I’m not finding it easy, but I am doing it somehow. I am ‘trusting the programme’. taking it slowly, taking the rest days, running on grass and varying where I run just a little - and it does seem to be working.

I’m 53 next week and used to run all the time when I was very much younger but I haven’t done it for years and had got to the stage that I couldn't even run to the end of the road. I also now carry more weight than I’d like and trying to sort that out as my clothes got too tight was probably my driving force to do this. However I’d been creatively avoiding starting it since Xmas, finding all sorts of excuses not to start, really believing inside that I was probably too old to start running again and not wanting to fail.

However, i am doing this, I have no idea quite how and I wish I had started when I first had the idea! I am super proud of myself so far and have more belief now that I’m progressing and becoming strong enough to hopefully get through to the end.

I have really benefitted from reading many of your helpful and inspiring comments to each other on here and I truly think that has helped me considerably in getting this far.

So I wanted to just say thank you all and good luck with all of your personal challenges too x

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Good post from you Topcat09,

"Trust the program"and "slow and steady" are the slogan mantras of C25K, you have been doing that, so for run 3 of week 5, just do that, run it slowly and yes, trust the program, if you can, try run earlier in the day to avoid any heat. 😊 🏃

[Topcat09 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Yes. Good tip, thank you

[Vintage61 Graduate]

Good luck for Friday. I’m sure you’ll smash it, you’ve put in all the hard work. The program sets us up nicely. Enjoy! 🏃🏻‍♀️👍🏻🏃🏻‍♀️

[Topcat09 Graduate in reply to Vintage61]

Thank you 😊

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Well done, that's why c25k is so amazing. Sometimes you doubt yourself like I did and then you read other posts and you think we'll if they done it, it must be possible. 😊😊

[Topcat09 Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Yes i agree. It really helps 😀

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Great work... you’re gonna love that 20 minute run... either during or just after!

You missed all the ice by putting off starting this... and a weird February where we had ice one week and 70F the week after, that was a tough time to be running. Now we have the heat, but ice is unlikely!

Happy running.

[MarybellM]

I totally agree with what you say about the support on here! It’s got me through it and I’m almost there - W9R2!!!

[Topcat09 Graduate in reply to MarybellM]

Wow, well done! 💪

[backintime Graduate]

you SHOULD be very proud of yourself, starting is the hardest part, and look how well you've done!

it is difficult to overcome the procrastination gremlins (I think they breed at my house) and get out there sometimes and so many reasons to put off starting, but sometimes you have to just do it (since I started running I really appreciate Nike's slogan lol)

[Topcat09 Graduate]

Yes I’m learning that it’s as much about learning to manage the gremlins and the voices in your head as learning to run isn’t it. I now talk to myself out loud on my runs at times when I’m struggling and need some positivity - today’s out loud thought was that I’m now halfway through the programme! And I talk to random strangers in the park and dog walkers that I pass sometimes - mad woman that I might seem - it keeps me smiling though lol

I have avoided running to music to manage my gremlins so far though - bit worried that I might try subonsciously and run in time to it and then overdo my steady pace. Maybe next week I’ll try.

Thanks for your message back 😊