W5, R2: Why am I still keeping it secret?

[RunawayBetty]

Yippiiee, I did W5, R2 today!! That means I am already halfway through the plan! I never would have thought that I would last that long. Ever!

I found it rather hard today, namely the first few minutes, but I suppose I just had a bad day. Also, the final minutes of the last run coincided with a rather tricky (for me) uphill part, so that I couldn’t speed up for the last minute like I usually do. In the end, having reached the peak of my “hill”, I prolonged the run a bit so as to get that feeling of being a real runner, which I so enjoy.

But what really makes this whole C25k thing so complicated and even a bit stressful is the fact that I am still keeping it secret. Two of my best friends know, the rest doesn’t. And where I am at the moment (I’m not at home right now) there are some people I wouldn’t want to know yet.

So when I leave the house for a run, I have to make sure first that no one I know can see me. That makes me feel kind of creepy, as if I were doing something forbidden. It’s like living in two worlds at the same time. Like some kind of running Harry Potter, so to say. Here, in the forum, everybody knows that I’m running, and in the real world, nobody does.

I hope that will change once I have completed week 6 – as I understand by your posts, Laura will call me a runner then. For now, I wouldn’t know what to say if someone saw me in my running gear. “Oh, are you running now?” “Well, no, I wouldn’t say that … It’s just some kind of fast walking and a bit of running in between, nothing serious …”

I think I really want it to get serious. That’s why I’m so anxious to finally run that dreaded W5, R3 run.

Happy running everyone, and thanks for reading!

[Candy46]

Everyone has their own reasons and motivation for doing C25k. In the beginning I would go far and wide to avoid ‘bumping’ in to anyone I knew (didn’t work 🙈🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣) I’m week 7 now and couldn’t care less who sees me.....might be a bit of confidence that running gives you 🤨My advice, just do whatever your comfortable with and keep getting out there. 😘 Cx

[Buddy34 Graduate]

You are a proper runner. But if you like to wait until Laura tells you that's ok. You should be so proud of yourself.

Don't worry about wk5r3 all your running up until now has prepared you for it . Good luck 😊😊

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Be proud of what you’re doing, it’s awesome 😁

[Hidden]

If you run, you’re a runner no matter the speed, distance or frequency. Be proud of what you’re doing. If anyone notices me out and about (no one has) I say ‘oh yeah, I’ve only just started’ so there’s less expectation 😂 You are doing brilliantly 💪🏼

[Dozydora61 Graduate]

Now I say "I run, well fitbit calls it a run" and I have been doing it a year. As my kids say just do you and don't worry about what others think.

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to Dozydora61]

My Fitbit is terribly rude and has to be corrected very often!

[Speedy60 Graduate]

You might be surprised by the reaction of others. After the first run I realised I didn't give a hoot what people thought of me, but I was still surprised at the positive reactions of some of my friends and neighbours. Admiration and, dare I say it, a little bit jealous.

[DeterminedSilver Graduate]

Good for you - celebrate how far you’ve got and you will graduate I know . With that determination. I too am running from fibromyalgia (or should I say tackling it head in) .

I empathise - but it’s definitely doable .

It’s such an achievement for you and you will start to feel so much better whilst still living with the condition.

Keep going easy on yourself . Keep posting 🤗

[Zebadee1 Graduate]

You should feel proud that you are doing something great, not hide it. I definitely don't look like a typical runner (I think I learnt from this forum there is no such 'thing') and was a bit self conscious when out and about on my runs. But do you know what...the only people that seemed to have noticed me were other runners, who gave me a friendly nod or thumbs up. And when I told other people, they were extremely supportive and some actually decided to have a go themselves. You run , you are making a difference and you should let everyone know!💪🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[LeeU Graduate]

Never be ashamed or decide to hide the fact you run, ignore what others think, with running it is primarily about you, if you run a group or with a partner then it is still mainly about you.

If your family, friends, etc don't support you in what you are trying to achieve are they really worth spending the time on?

I've never kept it a secret, some of the people I work with quite a bit know I run, others don't. There's reason for that and it's called fleecing them on a charity 5k.

My family knows, they are supportive and always have been.

[Portlandprincess Graduate]

Perhaps you just want to keep something special just for you. Or you dont want to spoil it. Enjoy the highs of being successful x x

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to Portlandprincess]

Yes, I think that's it exactly. Thank you. I am going through rather tough times right now (nothing to do with my illness) and definitely need something just for myself. Also, I don't want to spoil it by revealing it too early. And it's really kind of nice to have this innocent little secret ...

[Smelliepoo Graduate]

I didn't tell many people for ages, after wk5 r3 I started mentioning it in conversation (when that sort of thing came up) and am getting a positive reaction. I think it is just about having a bit of confidence in yourself actually running! The more you run, the better you feel and the more confidence you will have.

Keep going, you can keep it to yourself as long as you want, but be proud of you!

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to Smelliepoo]

Thank you! 😊 I did W5 R3 today, and just like you I feel that I wouldn't mind mentioning it from now on, given that I actually ran for 20 minutes. 😊 Still flooded with endorphines ... 😉

[Smelliepoo Graduate in reply to RunawayBetty]

Fantastic! It feels awesome getting that one under your belt! Suddenly it is a proper block of time! I am sure someone will have said that Wk6 can be a bit odd coz you're going back to intervals, but don't worry, you will smash that too!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

You are doing so well, don’t dread that run just take it slow at the beginning and you will have energy left for the end, every run so far has prepared you and it’s great you are still following the plan. Be proud you have come so far

[RunningMigster Graduate]

Haha... I was also keeping it a secret until a friend txt me to say 'thanks for replying to my post on the forum'. I had know idea he was starting it too 😆😆😆😆

Hey listen, you are doing it to improve your health and hopefully as a result, living a longer happier life. If anybody has a problem with that, it's their problem.

Go for it and be proud to be seen (says me who loves running early in the morning so nobody can see me 😆)

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

Haha, what a coincidence with your friend! 🤣🤣🤣 And I think from now on I will actually tell people that I have started running - that dreaded W5 R3 is over and done. 😊

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to RunawayBetty]

Week 5 starts for me tomorrow

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

Look forward to it! If I can do it, anybody can!

[MJP458]

Yes, that’s exactly how I feel, I’m way behind you only just done w3r1 which was obviously harder than last week, It’s not easy but it’s not enough to say I’m out running, however I can feel myself becoming addicted to this and wishing my days away to do the next run. This will probably change in weeks to come and I will be dreading the 5:30 alarm clock 😂

[RunawayBetty Graduate in reply to MJP458]

😂 It seems to me that we both are yearning to become real runners. So, let's just be runners! 😉