WEEK 5 RUN 2 This morning

[FLEDGE53]

Hi guys. I've been feeling proud of myself. I've not been jogging since i was 16. i'm now 53, overweight and diabetic so i decided to do this to help me get fit and hopefully lose some weight, which i have. Anyway i signed up to Strava but looking at everyone elses pace I'm slow and its knocked my confidence a bit. Any words of wisdom to keep me motivated?

[Hazel10 Graduate]

I am friends with a few people on Strava - ALL of whom are considerably faster than I am. I was studying it every time they ran, then feeling deflated by my snails pace. So I don’t do it anymore! I give them kudos and that’s that. No point in comparing as I am nearly ten years older and three stone heavier so it doesn’t take a scientist, you know? I could not have run 5 months ago but I am running now - so, good for us! 🥳

[Fatgirlslim19 Graduate]

Hi FLEDGE, you should definitely be feeling proud! Starting C25K isn't easy, and you've pushed yourself through and can now run for longer than you've been able to for more than 30 years!

At this stage Strava isn't wholly necessary, but I know I liked to see my progress too. I have runkeeper which none of my running friends have, so I could see how I was doing without seeing what they'd done! My friends are natural runners, going MUCH faster and for much longer than me, and it is disheartening.

Don't judge your journey by other people's. You are doing something amazing and doing it for yourself. Don't worry about them others 😉

[jen2708]

Someone wise once said ‘Comparison is the thief of Joy’ - I’d say focus on your own goals and celebrations - that’s all that counts

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to jen2708]

It was, Theodore Roosevelt, and I am always quoting it in my replies... ! I was going to quote it here..but you beat me to it

[MarkyD Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Me too!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Yes.. forget everyone else's pace etc... and just run!

If you use Strava..use it for you... that is what we do.... I look at folk's pace, but never compare... I am running for me and I am happy with that...

You are doing wonderfully....

[Jell6 Graduate]

During the programme I only ... followed the programme!, so I don't know if I was faster, slower, the same.

I use Strava now, but only for my own stats, and even then I don't really care.

I get dressed to go. I have a time in my head, no longer aiming for distance and find this way the gremlins keep fairly quiet.

Please just enjoy your new found fitness, and don't get hung up on whether or not you could do it faster.

Slow runs are great for your new running legs, you will build stamina.

You haven't run for 37 years , and now you are. Enjoy it 😊🤩