Pap17 here writing this from C25K to a half in under a year

[Papillon17]

To say I am shocked would be an understatement of the year. I started C25K on 7th January 2019 on a dark cold night, yes I could run short runs having done dog agility for 7 years but I wanted to get fitter, I wasn’t particularly overweight so did not need to lose weight. During this time my mum was diagnosed with cancer. I had lost my dad at 58 and here I was starting out on C25K with a chance I could graduate by my 58th birthday. I completed this in nine weeks with only one time worrying if I was injured as it felt like my calves had permanent cramp. Someone said eat more bananas and drink more water/fluids this I did to not suffer again. I graduated on the 10th March early afternoon having completed the last two runs whilst my mum was in the hospice and my wife Julie covered my bed sitting duties. I got back to my mum bedside in time to tell her I was a runner now and had graduated the C25K. I like to think She waited for me to do this and then I told her it was time. Four hours after graduating mum slipped away having not really been conscious for four days with all the meds to control the pain. We arranged the celebration of life locally to mum and I carried on running through the year. Loads of reruns of week 9 run 3 with my trainer Laura off of C25K as I liked the reassurance of her voice and the countdown of time. I did around 40 of these gradually getting faster and most around or under 30 mins for 5k then I would run the warm up and warm down 5 mins as this would give me 40mins with Laura to get a little further. I did this through the year whilst at agility shows mostly on my own mixing up distances sometimes doing 10K and then throwing in the odd 8 mile then 10mile not regularly as stayed between 3.5 and 6.5 miles managing the 10K several times in under 60mins. I tried for the London marathon by ballot but did not manage to get in but saw the BigHalf was held in March almost a year to the day mum died and got a charity place with the Pilgrims Hospice. The sponsorship for this seemed a lot easier than £2k for the marathon. I raised the necessary amount relatively quickly for that and now sit proudly with £1260 raised. So to finish the year on Christmas Eve I ran a practice half marathon so I am now very proud and happy. I will continue now to just tick over until the big day in March. Good luck out there if I can do it so can you.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

That is amazing progress your mum would be so proud of you,

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks WillowandSola just hoping it may stir others into action if I can so can others

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

well I ran my first 6k this morning and yes reading others posts is what has spurred me on thank you

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Well done to you a great achievement

[Debston Graduate]

Well done Papillon17, that's a great amount you have raised for the hospice and what a wonderful way to celebrate your mum's life. You have achieved amazing things this year.

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to Debston]

Thanks Debston hasn’t been all plain sailing had the scares with the extreme weightloss of a stone and half between February and October. Checked all ok just the metabolic rate has increased. Now have to eat more.

[DaisyCL]

How proud would your mum be of you! What an inspiring story- you make me want to keep running and I’m only on wk2! Amazing way of giving back too!

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to DaisyCL]

Well done DaisyCL this programme can be done by anyone just believe in it. Just do it, run slowly, drink plenty and you will be fine. Don’t rush it and you will be so pleased.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Congratulations! Very well done. I know your Mum would be extremely proud. You've done so well and you're improving your future all the time 👍🏻😁

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks GoGo_JoJo hope all is going well.

[runwithdog Graduate]

Biggest well done to you !!!i have `followed` you because i started my c25 journey just before you and also because you had a dog picture and agility background.

blown away by your achievements.

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to runwithdog]

Many thanks runwithdog so pleased with the progress over the year. Stick at it good to see your back out there running.

[runwithdog Graduate in reply to Papillon17]

this running lark must have helped cos i have won SAL med ruby and 3rd large ruby

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to runwithdog]

Congratulations I just like to get out the ring still standing and briefing. I did agility training the other night and trained three dogs as daughter and wife were supposed to be there but got held up and did 15 course runs with the dogs (5 each) and still standing and breathing at the end so pleased.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

There is a lot in your post to be really proud of Papillon17. I'm glad you're ok also after all your hospital visits.

Your parents would have been so proud of you as we are.

The money you have raised really is brilliant and you'll get it doing something you love. So good luck with 2020 and your HM . 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️😊😊

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Many thanks Buddy34 hope you had a good Christmas, not sure it’s something I love 😂 but I do it. Have a good new year.

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Such an inspiring post. Congratulations, I'm sure your parents would be so proud of you.

Much is said here, quite rightly about the physical benefits of running, but the mental aspect is so important. It gives you space to be with your thoughts, but I also find it somehow resets my brain chemistry and has helped me deal with bereavement this year.

Have a peaceful New Year

[Papillon17 Graduate in reply to Speedy60]

Thank you Speedy60 you have a good one as well. I enjoy the lone time as I get to listen to my music as no one in the family likes it. 😂 Not because it’s bad just from loads of different eras.