My two year runniversary - life beyond C25k

[Langley-Loper]

Yes, there is life beyond C25k!

I was distraught when I finished C25k as I loved the structure and being told exactly what to do when - no thinking required. Just put on your shoes and do it. After week 9 was over I drifted aimlessly for a while. I missed Michael Johnson. I decided to add 1 minute running time to each run for a while but got bored with that. My son stopped running with me.

Then I jumped over to the Bridge to 10k forum and found structure to my running again as I followed the plan to reach 10k. At the time, I found this a huge challenge and can remember being really nervous about trying to run 7k for the first time, or maybe it was 8k, or maybe 9k....but it was all achievable and I reached 10k.

What next? A half marathon, of course. This took an awful lot more consideration before committing. But I was encouraged by a real life friend and the virtual friends on the Marathon running and race support forum. I followed a structured plan (got to love ticking off those runs) and completed it in June 2018 - about a year after my first C25k run which had left me wheezing and wondering if I could run at all.

After that I returned to running 10k or less. in fact since my HM I have only done two runs longer than 10k! I still have the urge to run another HM but haven't done so for a variety of reasons. My family have come to accept my running but don't actively encourage or support it. I work full time, have two teenage children and like to cycle with my husband (a non-runner) so time is precious. I have settled into a pattern of Parkrun on Saturday, 10k run with my local Sweatshop club (no membership fee!) on Monday evening and maybe another 5kish run mid week if time permits. I aim to enter one 10k race every 3 months to keep my hand in and give me a challenge. I have got my Parkrun time down to 24:32 and hope to try and chip a few more seconds off.

So, all this sounds wonderful, but what if you don't want to go on to longer distances after C25k? I have friends who have completed the programme and several weeks/months on are still running 5k once or twice a week or even less. But they are still out there doing something which is great. Some come to Parkrun occasionally, some not at all. They are still getting the health benefits of exercise in the fresh air and have their own personal targets - one was thrilled when she ran all the way in Parkrun with no walking stops, for instance. You will never regret going for a run, but you will regret not going for a run.

So wherever you are with your running, enjoy it, make it work for you and pat yourself on the back for being active every time you step outside the door.

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Happy 2nd runniversary LL! 😀 Great post thanks. You are right- we all need to find the running arrangements that work for us. 😄

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Yep, it's so interesting to hear what people do with the tool they have been given. All C25K aims to do is to teach you how to run continuously for 30 minutes on a regular basis... the rest is icing on the cake (one of the few instances where a lot of icing isn't bad for you or cloying!)

[Topcat09 Graduate]

I completely understand appreciating the ‘no thinking required’, do as you’re told thing. Good to read how you’ve moved on since with new structure. Well done you! I hope I’ll be able to do the same when my time comes.

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

Happy 2nd runniversary! What a lovely inspiring post. It’s great to see what’s up ahead. I’m aiming for a (very slow!) 10k as soon as the weather cools a bit.

Happy running!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Happy 2nd Runniversary L-L. 😊 A great post from you. Although we did Ju Ju's 10k program together, you have gone on, growing from strength to strength to acheive so much. You continue to inspire me, and I'm sure this post will inspire those coming through the program now.

Happy running 😊xxx