This question gave me pause for thought...
Why did I start C25K, rather than just run on my own without following a plan?
Because the small fist pump moments I experience when I complete each run keep me buzzing for the whole day, and I feel proud of my achievements as I progress from week to week, which motivates me even more!
W8R3 today 🙂
My why:
I hated the idea of running, didn't understand why anyone would run anywhere unless they were being chased or were late.
Then I had a knee injury and surgery - I got out of shape and became sluggish pre-surgery. As part of my rehab they got me jogging (first with an anti gravity treadmill).... When I was able to run without the anti-gravity for the first time it felt exhilarating. Not being able to run for so long made being able to run feel so much better. I then decided that I wanted to be able to run further, the Couch25k was the ideal programme to follow as it builds you up slowly. I didn't fully believe it would be possible but following each week somehow works!
It’s amazing isn’t it! 😊
My why
Because my daughter told me they had just run day 1 of week 1 and how amazing it was and how they didn’t manage all the runs
I wanted to see if we could
Why did we carry on? Because the benefits are amazing and the high five we give each other at the end of each run
I love the ‘high five’ bit! I totally get you 🙂
That’s lovely!
My why..... because I avoided running my whole life but then wanted to do a triathlon 😀, so I had to learn.
Why I still do it..... because in 6 years it has kept me grounded and sane as my world got crazy around me. It is my chill out, me time, even though it takes a lot of effort it keeps me calm and relaxed for the times in between my runs.
Happy running all
Rfc x
Did you do the triathlon in the end or just stick to running ?
In August 2014 I did a sprint triathlon, I didn’t find the love of cycling but I am now training for my 6th HM 😀.
Totally impressed 🏅😀
Thank you. Rfc xxx
Love it! Same here! Want to be strong and lean going into my 60s!
If I'm totally honest I did it for weight loss. I quit smoking April 2013 and piled on 4st 6lbs.
C25k was structured and what I really loved was this amazing forum for the support and encouragement.
Up until now I've lost 3 1/2 stone so just a bit to go .
Even better I just love running. 😊🏃♀️🏃♀️
Weight AND fags ? Go you 🏅 !
What a good question! I started the programme because:
1) I needed to lose weight but the only previous time I had needed to I was too unwell to exercise and I knew how hard it was
2) I'd had some improvement in symptoms post-menopause and had been able to engage in a few Random Acts of Fitness eg parking at the far end of the supermarket car park
3) Brisk walking was too painful to sustain
I was always put off running because I come from a running family and my perception was that it was about self-obsession, selfishness and a lot of poncy stretching. But I do remember dropping my brother off to do a running loop of some local Peak District Edges and feeling a twinge of envy. (I did eventually achieve this. Interestingly, I have also walked it since and been very unwell for a couple of months afterwards)
So I was attracted to C25K because of its modest goals and its format - specifically that it insisted this was not something to do on a daily basis, you must have a day off in between, and just walking at the beginning and end and no poncy stretching. And something I could do by myself - structured, but flexible, I didn't have to do it on set days or at set times. I didn't even have to wear anything special. I also took to Laura StQuinn whose idea it was for the NHS to offer a C25k podcast programme for beginner runners - she was just someone who had done it.
My reasons for starting running seem rather insignificant to the reasons I continue to do so. I started because I was on the NHS choices page looking for some weightloss tips and I saw the C25k advert saying that anyone can learn to run. So I thought I would try, and very quickly I became hooked!!
What keeps you going now ? I fell away fairly quickly after my first graduation and I don’t want to do it again !
I found I just really love running. I am not fast - or even a natural runner, and I dont do any races, but I have found the routine and being in nature etc incredibly rewarding. I use it like a sort of meditative time and at weekends I love to explore my local woods on the trails. My main focus now is for a strong and able body, and to continue to run every day until my body no longer can, I am in it for life!
If you are struggling, I suggest going back to your reasons for starting, and think about all the reasons to continue. If you do decide to, then establish a routine. Routine is everything when it comes to making a sustained change in our lives. Some days you really wont want to but if you tell yourself that breaking the routine will do more harm than good, then you just have to do it, and you will feel better for sticking to it. It is so much easier once you have established a routine.
Thanks - that’s really helpful x
Well said. Same here!
My why, now that's a good one, I could do an entire post on that.
Simple short answer, it helps me clear my mind and makes me smile.
My why
Is to get stronger so I can better fight my demons, the physical and mental ones 💪😬
Right with you there, LB !
Why run? I could never understand why anyone would choose to run as a form of exercise. I had major surgery about 4 years before I started C25K and had put on a little weight and I was very unfit. The idea of running anywhere except a few steps to get on a train was impossible. As I told many people, I don't train to run, I run for trains. We also had a holiday planned in the Lake District, and I thought that I might like to climb a mountain or two but I knew that was likely to be impossible, or would at least require lots of frequent stops.
Anyway, with a little domestic nagging, I knew I needed to do something about my fitness and had thought about doing some cycling. Then last May (2019) a friend mentioned that she was starting C25K. What's that, I said. She explained it and the appeal of a running programme which starts with a 5 minute walk then a minimal amount of running with more walking in between made me think I would give it a go. My son (runs 10k in 45 minutes) came with me, and I got through W1R1 and I was still alive, with no need for a trip to hospital in a helicopter. Most importantly though, I felt very proud of myself and was hooked.
I progressed through to the first 20 minute run, then it was time for our trip to the Lake District. My son and I made it up Helvellyn and Scafell Pike (on different days) and the improvement in my fitness in 5 weeks of running was noticable. This, it turned out, was really helpful as when I came back, the next week's runs seemed much easier. Anyway, I completed the 9 weeks about a week before I turned 50, and marked my birthday with my first Park Run.
I've now done 12 park runs and my time is gradually improving. I've done a handful of 10k runs and have a regular 6k circuit that I try and run a couple of times a week together with a park run or a longer run on Saturday. (The extra 1k gives me a loop which means I have to keep going. It also helps for the park run as it makes that feel a little easier as I am used to running further.)
I am still stunned by the fact that I can run at all, given that this time last year I got out of breath walking up a gentle hill.
I wanted to set a better example to my kids, about being able to make healthy changes and then about sustaining them. I’d never have taken up running without the structure of the programme, and I’m so useless at running that I’d never have kept going without the marvellous folk of the forum 😀
My why
I was heading for fat and 50 and wanted to be fit at 50. I was doing Pilates and needed some cardio work. I didn’t want to join a gym a wouldn’t go to and didn’t really want to pay for an extra fitness classes each week. I’d heard of c25k from a friend and thought that if I just did week one run one twice a week that would be my cardio needs met. So I started but then I did week two and so on...
I enjoy the freedom of my time spent outside running listening to my music.
Thanks to c25k and this forum and the B210K forum I can now run 10k and I 5k parkrun each weekend
My why.... because I thought I was going to die on Lombard Street in San Francisco!!!, seriously until then I thought I was fairly fit, I always walked loads.
That was my epiphany 😬
My why,
Because thanks to the skill of a surgical team I could and it seemed churlish not to take the opportunity to enjoy a life I didn’t expect to be able to lead.
One of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s giving me more enjoyment than I could have imagined.
For me it’s so I can get back to running regularly. Why do I love running? Well, for me, once you get your fitness and strength up there is a point on a run where your body is just doing it perfectly and it gives me such a buzz. It’s the freedom, it’s being outside, it’s pushing myself, it’s the sense of achievement, it’s smiling at other runners, it’s watching the seasons change. And it’s the post run endorphin rush. All bloody marvellous 😊
My why...
Cheaper than a gym membership.
I work at home mostly so can fit it around work and school drop in / pick ups.
Because the plan taught me 'how to run', how to pace myself, how to avoid injury. I've never been able to run for 30minutes. I can now thanks to the plan.
I like getting the fresh air and taking time out to clear my head. Also an opportunity to see what is going on around my local area and taking in the views and surroundings.
Because I sit at a desk all day it helps me keep my posture correct.
Knowing that doing regular exercise will be of benefit not only now but in (hopefully) years to come. Not that I was intending to, but I've lost some weight and have toned up.
And this forum has been key to me sticking to the plan and carrying on after graduation.
I saw my son run the town 10k each year. OK, to fess up- watching from the wall of the local- where we then settled in for the afternoon. Then a little niggling thought crept in my head that I could try to run.
When I told the kids I was doing c25k they ribbed the old girl at first and then encouraged me and added me on Strava.
But I love the sense of achievement. And I love the forum here.
You guys get it, totally!!!! 😊
Totally! 👍🏼
My why
What I was:
I was becoming very unfit, unhealthy and my gut was getting bigger every year.
What I want:
I love life and want to live as long as I can.
I want to have quality of life when I'm older
I want to enjoy my retirement, doing fun things with my wife, kids and grandkids.
What I was and what I want, were incompatible. So something had to change.
Why running?
I dont like gyms. I'm struggling to commit a couple of hours to a club activity, so running gives me the freedom to get out for just half an hour and be very flexible about when.
Why C25K?
I needed structure. I enjoyed the sense of achievement of completing a week. I looked forward to the challenge of the next week. I enjoyed the gradual build up.
On my own, I'd have 'attempted' 2x 20 minute runs, decided it was too hard and given up.
Truth is, I will never love running. I enjoy the headspace and the solitude. Running in torrential rain, in the dark at 6am is my favourite time to run by far.
I love the physical and mental health benefits. And even though I may not always enjoy the run, I do enjoy having the routine and the feeling that I'm actively doing the right thing for me and my family.
Oh, and of course, I got to virtual meet all of you lovely people 
Happy running everybody, and keep on remembering the 'why'
Mig
Fabulous!
Well said, my thoughts exactly. 👍🏻
I'm 40 this year and decided I really needed to do something about my fitness. My husband and daughter are keen runners so decided to give it a go. I decided to do c25k as I like the sound of the structured runs over several weeks. I didn't want to do too much at first or I know I would give up!
Great question!
I fell into it “sideways by accident” because I was looking for a way to retain some fitness during the darkest 3 months of the year when cycling is neither safe nor particularly enjoyable. My daughter suggested C25K, I laughed & said “Don’t be silly, I can’t run!”
Then I decided that I could repeat W1 over & over & that would do. I managed W1 & thought I might as well try W2...and so on. I’m so glad that I stumbled upon this life changer! 😄
What has running done for you? Why Did you start?
Thank you C25K!
How many weeks did it take you to do C25K?
Start of c25k
Why did I struggle?
