Week 7 run 2.

[Boorun]

I never thought I’d get to the point where I actually enjoyed running. But I loved every bit of this run.

[Enxo Graduate]

Weird isn't it? Now I'm built like an overstuffed couch and have the aerodynamics of a brick but I actually cannot wait to get out again - it brings me closer to my goal! Well done!

[Boorun in reply to Enxo]

Thank you. I feel so much better now than I did when I started the C25K. Onwards and upwards!

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

Congratulations. It looks like a lovely location too which must help.

[Boorun in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you. It’s a inner city park, in the once notorious Moss Side but it is lovely.

[Grannyhugs Graduate in reply to Boorun]

Great that such a lovely park has been created in the area

[Boorun in reply to Grannyhugs]

Yes, it’s a lovely old park, built in 1868.

[getfitatlast Graduate]

I've just done this run too. I'm not loving it yet, but I certainly don't hate it! I am very very slow, but I think that might partly be experience. I don't want to run any faster in case I blow up before the end of the 25 minutes and either hurt myself of just stop. I'll be out there again tomorrow evening for run 3 week 7, then only 2 weeks left. Its all looking very doable now! Good luck!

[Boorun in reply to getfitatlast]

I run really slowly, it’s the only way I can keep my breathing in check, otherwise it’s all over the place and I run out of puff before the end. But I do go as fast as I can for that last minute. It’s exhilarating, especially now the weather is getting chilly.and when Laura says slowdown and walk, I get a rush that forces a massive smile on my face.

[Boorun in reply to Boorun]

Thank you.

[Renee66 Graduate in reply to getfitatlast]

Agree re scared to run too fast at the start and sink the whole run. Good luck with remaining runs.

[Renee66 Graduate]

looks like a great place to do your runs. You're at the same stage as I am and I feel the same! In one way I don't look forward to it but once I take the first steps of the warm up, I'm so determined. Just keep reminding myself it's not about how fast I can go. I'm sure you'll finish now. I found it helps to have told another group I go to ( not a sports one) that I'm doing this and they are so encouraging. Some of them happen to be serious runners and the nice thing is they are so kind about my efforts!

[getfitatlast Graduate in reply to Renee66]

Thats what I did when I started! I told everyone I knew, including neighbours. Make it harder for me to quit. I sound very negative - I'm not really, but I don't have a great history of sticking at things. This program is great and I'm amazed I can run 25 minutes. That might be part of the problem - until I'm sure I can ALWAYS run 25 minutes I'm still quite nervous each time I set off. We are nearly done. Then my target will be to run 45 minutes without stopping. That should get me through a parkrun I hope. Good luck - it was icy here today on the pavements, so be careful out there!

[Boorun in reply to Renee66]

Well done, I found it hard at first but it’s a great stress reliever. It is a lovely park and full of runners and really cheeky magpies, that have me laughing with their antics. I’ve not really told many people I’m running. I started in August after a bereavement, as a way of getting a bit of time to myself to clear my head and cry in the rain. No one notices. When I can run 5k without stopping, hopefully by the end of week 9, I’m going to do a park run.

[Renee66 Graduate in reply to Boorun]

Good to hear you found a way to help cope with your sadness.

[Boorun]

Once I get to 30 minutes, I’m going to work on my speed a bit. My friend wants to start C25K in the new year and I’ve said I’ll do it from the beginning with them. I might use it to trying and get up to 10k. I’m 59 next year and a life long smoker. so I want to keep improving for as long as I can, they’ll come a point when I’ll start to decline, so I want to get as far as I can before I reach that point.