I'm a 59 year old who has had a little chest replumbing (2x CABG and a titanium aortic valve). In November I had my annual cardiac review and my consultant was less than impressed by my 100 kg weight even though I walk about 6 km a day. We agreed that I should lose some weight and have a crack at the Couch to 5K.
A couple of months later I've managed to get the weight down to 89 kg - so (technically) I'm no longer obese. And I've completed the second run of C25K Week 3 and am really enjoying it! Thoughts about eventual Parkruns are beginning to make themselves heard.
I used to comfort eat but C25K has given me the incentive to think more critically about what I eat and keep the Calories down to 1,600 a day (though there might have been a slight bump around December 25th.)
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frogplate
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Hey frogplate you've come to the right place!!!! It sounds to me like you already know that you want to make a change and all of us on here are right behind you...completing C25k will totally change your life, throughout the programme you will have some surprises at what you achieve and some tough times I’m sure but we are all here cheering you on so make sure you let us know how you’re doing...good luck xx
I've already been surprised by what I can achieve.
I started out with the expectation that I would not be able to complete 60 seconds of running and that I might have to repeat the first week a few times before I was comfortable at that level. But it was fine and I got an inordinate sense of achievement out of it.
Then I was worried about keeping going for 90 seconds, but I managed it and by the end of that week I was actually looking forward to putting on my running shoes. Endorphins kicking in I guess!
I've not had any tough times yet... but each week I look at the summary of next week's podcast with a certain amount of trepidation.
Welcome frogplate and what a great story! Regarding Parkrun, since you are already walking 6km a day you could take it on now. Not everyone who goes actually runs the whole course or, in fact, any of it so you could start with walking it and build up as you get through C25K. It's a fantastically supportive, friendly and non-competitive event. I'm sure you'll love it whether it's now or later that you get along. Good luck - your progress post surgery is already very impressive!
I did think of that, but I have some acquaintances and neighbours who already do it and I'd be a little bit embarrassed at this stage. I'm sure they would be full of encouragement and good advice, but I have a lovely friend who is giving me lots of help anyway.
I live very close to the local Parkrun course and so I've found myself increasingly using parts of the route for my C25K runs. So when I do start I'll have a good idea of what to expect and whether I'm capable of jogging round it looking vaguely like a runner!
So many congratulations on what you’ve already done 👏....that’s taken stamina plus courage for sure. A couple of thoughts - how about starting to volunteer to help (eg marshalling, cheering people on) at your Parkrun now anyway? That way you can start walking /running the course when you’re ready and you’ll already be a familiar face and feel at home there. It’s a brilliant atmosphere, so accepting, so nonjudgemental, so easy-going – honestly, you won’t regret it. Plus, volunteers are massively central to the whole thing working.
I also recommend you stop looking ahead to the next C25K run plan. You don’t need to and it only adds additional stress. Float along, trust the process and it will carry you. Keep posting – we are all 100% cheering you on. You are already a hero and we know you can do this 👏👏👏👍👍👍
Thanks! I do have plans to eventually start turning up at the local Parkrun meetings, just so that I can familiarise myself with the full course, get a feel for how it's all organised, how the funnel works, and that kind of thing. Volunteering would certainly help that familiarisation.
I've worked out some of the local Parkrun route and have incorporated it into my C25K runs so that I can get used to running on grass - most of my walking and jogging up until now has been on pavement.
Well done you. I am 63 with a bad family heart history, lost both parents early and I have raised BP. My weight crept up to 78kg last Summer so I started exercising and am now down to about 70kg. Started C25K 3 weeks ago, last week had a cold and nearly gave up but did w3r1 today and did it all, even though most of the run bits were uphill. Really want to crack this.
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