I took on C25K last July. W1R1 tried to kill me I swear! 30 minutes was absolutely impossible. I slowed down and it got a little easier, but stayed challenging almost all the way to that last run.
Today, I ran for almost 150 minutes and completed a half marathon for the first time. I’m no different to any of you guys... and W1R1 of C25K remains the toughest run I’ve ever done... if that changes I’ll come and tell you all about it!
You can do this! If you’re into your journey, rest assured that it gets easier. If you’re reading and thinking of starting, yes run one is tough, but you can do it. The differences it makes to the rest of your lives is amazing... you’ll be able to do so much more with your higher fitness, and apparently we have a longer life expectancy too. So keep going, and change your lives for the better.
Enjoy amazing yourself as you make your journey and see just how awesome you are.
Written by
UnfitNoMore
Graduate
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Cheers! There were some out and back bits on the circuit, and I loved seeing someone twice my size ahead of me by about half a mile... I caught up a little, but never got close to passing him... just wish I’d had a go pro on to show everyone who turns up here questioning wether they’re too big to run... that guy was pretty speedy!
There was a long one... that got lost... there’s a “short” one on marathon running and race support... but I will put the long one back together tomorrow.
...and when that bores everyone to tears they can blame you 🤣🤣
Well said UNM, and hearty congratulations on your HM. Running is an absolute game changer and I hope people take inspiration from your story. Well done!
Thanks. We followed some and inspire some others... this place is amazing. My journey, your journey, the guy about to do run one’s journey... they’re all inspirational. We are all awesome, and it’s fun finding that out.
Many thanks. Anyone here can do this, should they want to... the most important thing is getting to those 30 minutes, which you have... if I haven’t already said it, congratulations!
I know you have mentioned before that run 1, week 1 of C25K was the hardest run that you have ever ran, interesting that today's HM didn't feel so hard, the old saying that happens here on C25K by many "if I can do it, so can you" seems to apply with you after reading your excellent post.
I have ran 3/10Ks, strangely enough, particularly after my PB third 10K of 69.23 I didn't feel just as tired as running my quickest 5K of 30.55 at a parkrun on September 21st.
I momentary thought after the 69.23 10K that I could have continued running, but not sure for how long.
I suppose if I put my mind to it I could do what I did from running 5K to 10K, 1 kilometre more a fortnight with shorter runs, including a parkrun in between, not sure, the old mind worries of the possibility of injuries occurring, so far with luck I have avoided any injuries.
You can do whatever you set your mind to... rack km added is easier than the last... 5k to 6k is a bigger increase than 10 to 11. Keep it slow if you go up the distances, and keep up the strengthening and flexibility work. Not saying you’ll never be injured, but the keeping the risk down really helps.
You show us what we can achieve if we are determined to put the effort in. I'm sure I can speak for all of us and say you really are amazing. You should be so pleased and so proud of yourself.
Thanks. I believe you have to want to go beyond 10k... 5k/30 minutes changes lives for the better like no other distance or duration. 60 seconds felt like forever, now I’m thinking in terms of “just another 20 minutes and I’m done” all things are relative!
Great run you must be chuffed. Just worked out how long you ran for, I'd misread as 1 ½ hrs, wow that was an incredible length of time to run, marvellous. Go you🙆♀️👍
1.5 hours would be a dream! I’ll try for sub 2... but it’s only numbers... when we run we are all the same in a multitude of ways, numbers are the only difference, and I hesitate to post numbers on this forum most of the time... apart from that 30 one.
Thanks... yep, I’m made up... may take me a while to come down... definite endorphin overdose today 😂
Thanks... it’s all been a learning curve, and different people have different experiences to offer those following... which makes this place so amazing... we got everyone.
Thanks. Impossible is only temporary in this game... that first run really made me think about doing something else... so pleased that I did some reading on here before making what would have been a bad decision.
We started on a whim with not a thought to the future but it’s made such a difference to our fitness and health and we’ve only been running a few months
You guys have had a brilliant journey so far, and can do anything you want to do with this... but nothing will change your lives as much as this bit... 30 minutes of cardio at a time really bangs that fitness up, and health follows. The beauty of this plan is it puts you there pretty much straight away as brisk walking counts too.
It sure is. It was unusual to see two people doing this together and I’m sure the positive differences aren’t just limited to fitness and health for you guys too. Inspirational to me and others... and today I thought of lots of people here, you guys included, and it made the run easier for sure.
That’s lovely to hear, as to running together if i nag a bit Willow slows down we’ve started having different music and laugh at each other if a faster or slower song comes on but we probably wouldn’t do it alone we encourage each other and celebrate our fitness levels
I know you run with little miss sometimes and that is wonderful building good habits in youngsters has such value
I ran about with my grands some years ago and always ran slow to let them beat me then one day i had to run as fast as i could and could only just keep up it was great we still run with the youngest sometimes
Wow. Congratulations! What a wonderful, inspiring story you tell. It makes so much difference to read that that first run really is the hardest and we can all change our lives if we just stick with it. I hope your enjoying your favourite treat and a well earned sit down back on the couch. 👏👏👏
Thanks. I really am... eaten a lot of junk, but I have the calories in hand, and the wine is lovely. My watch keeps telling me to have another drink... or as it puts it “move!” 🤣
Brilliant post, well done on your HM distance, for someone who once said to me I am Not sure I want to do 10km reading your post has made me smile, You have done so well and now support so many on their journey too. Happy running. Rfc x
I was a bit of an enigma in that I had no interest in 10k (still not run an event) but wanted to run a marathon. Now I’m thinking the 10k Saturday and HM Sunday next year at Tatton would be a lot of fun... what’s happened to me? 🤣
Thank you. Where's the best place to go for a training plan do you know? I'm currently at 7 miles so want to try and expand but in the correct way. Thanks in advance
Thanks... I love coming here to both inspire and be inspired... a look at all the guys starting out, the ones struggling in the middle, the wonderful graduation posts... there’s no better place to give me the thoughts I need on a tough run.
Amazing. It does me good to read posts like this to remember that fat bloke sweating and out of breath willing Jo Whiley to tell me the runs were over........ Now 10k twice a week with a hill/fast session thrown in is just Normal. It's something I do. It's makes my body and mind feel better. Long may it continue.
I can’t wait to hear the graduation stories of people that really struggle on run one... the two posts next to each other tell an amazing story all by themselves.
I avoided hills like the plague for about 6 months... now I get a little bored on the flat.
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I’ve Just Got to do This!!!
It wasn't pretty, it wasn't easy but I finally got there in the end 
YAY! Finally got there!
Some days you just don’t want to run...
