...finally coming out of lurking...

[mog7]

I've been lurking on this forum since I started the C25K just over 5 weeks ago, and I must say, it's all been a huge inspiration.

I'm nearly 40 years old, carrying (at least) a couple of stone more than I ought to be, and all my life I've been completely un-athletic. Hated PE at school, never even run for a bus...

My first attempt at W1R1 back in July was an absolute disaster. I only managed to complete five out of the eight 60 second runs, was gasping for breath and limped home dejectedly, with a stitch stabbing into my side. I felt like such a failure. I started searching on the internet to see if there was anyone else out there who had struggled with even the first step of C25K, and how to overcome it, and that's how I found this wonderful forum!

After seeing all the positive message threads here, all the words of support and encouragement, I gained the confidence to try again a few days later. This time though, I did a run with my sister - she was already quite far along on C25K (she was the one to suggest I try it in the first place!), and she showed me how to pace myself, not go too fast - and with her help and encouragement, I did it. I completed all eight runs. It wasn't easy, but it was enough to give me the confidence to push on with the programme...

..and now, this morning I just completed W5R3! Twenty whole minutes of running! That's literally the longest I've run in my entire life! I still can't quite believe it.

I'm really looking forward to the challenges of the next runs, and I'm determined to graduate!

Anyway, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to wade through this wall of text! I hope it might give a little bit of help to anyone else like me who has tried, and struggled, and didn't think they'd be able to do it...you can do this!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Definitely slowing down can help and prevent lots of things. You just ran 20 minutes non stop that's brilliant. Well done you 😊😊

[mog7 Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks! I feel great!

[AliHC Graduate]

Woo Hoo! 20 minute non stop! Well done! Take it easy and at your own pace! You can do this! X

[bananahead Graduate]

ah, mog7, thats brilliant, well done on perseverance and thanks for the positive post.

[FatterPenguin Graduate]

Amazing, well done you! It's heartwarming to read your progression and success. That week 1 was my hardest week by far, but to fail and retry is awe-inspiring. And just look at how far you've come! That two stone will soon disappear I'm sure. And even if it doesn't I bet you'll be losing inches soon.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Slow and steady is the mantra slogan here on C25K, congratulations on completing run 3 of week 5, that is a milestone run, onwards and upwards to week 6 run 1 but be careful about that run as it catches out some people with the interval walks and runs after the non stop 20 minutes of W5R3 which you have just ran 🏃 😊 👍

[mog7 Graduate]

Thank you to everyone for your kind replies! I'm certainly going to take W6R1 steadily - but I am kind of looking forward to briefly returning to the 'safety' of interval runs!

[Bookloverabc Graduate]

Wow, that's fantastic! What a huge achievement! Good luck going forwards, and remember you can't ever run too slow. I've seen some lovely people on here say to find your inner snail 🐌 Happy running 😅

[RunningChocoholic Graduate]

What a lovely post, thanks for sharing and inspiring others. W5R3 is a huge achievement both physically and mentally, well done! X

[Comfortnotspeed]

Lovely reading about your journey with C25K. Well done and hope to see that graduation post in the weeks to come 😃

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

That’s so brilliant! Well done for persevering - nice and slow and you’ll be fine!

[Skeg Graduate]

Well done on W5R3 and for picking yourself up in July and trying again. With that spirit you can do this course Just go at your own pace.

[Granspeed Graduate]

Glad you got brave enough to come out of the shadows! Welcome & happy running. 😄👏🏼🎉

[Sp81 Graduate]

What a journey, congratulations on running for 20 minutes. I like you had tried c25k previously, it was this forum and the huge support and posts that kept me going this time. Onwards to week 6. 🏃‍♀️