One year Runniversary and some reflections...

[Redcello41]

Well a year ago today (well not quite, but I always count my Runniversary the day after the Bath Half Marathon because that's what I did last year!) I started the first run of Couch25K, with the dream to eventually run the Bath Half Marathon 2020. It has been one hell of a journey and not straight forward at all (but when is life ever straight forward?) - I have dealt with injury, horrible weather, personal uncertainty, the uncertainty the world is facing at the moment and a sudden hospital visit before Christmas which meant I missed a lot of my Half Marathon training. This journey has been full of ups and downs, it has not been easy but I still managed to see my dream come true and I ran in the Bath Half Marathon yesterday in 02:57:00 on the nose!

I wanted to post this photo I took today while doing a celebratory runniversary walk (I was planning for it to be a celebratory run but my legs are in no shape having just run 13.1 miles yesterday!) around the route where it all started for me with my Bath Half Marathon medal because it's a good reminder of how far I have come in a year! A year ago on this path, I struggled to run for 30 secs and was exhausted after the first run but now a year on, I managed to run for just under 3 hours straight in my very first half marathon yesterday!

So for those who are struggling or finding it difficult, I just want to encourage you to keep on going, keep on fighting for your dreams and with endurance, hard work and a lot of determination, your dreams will come true, just as my dream came true yesterday!

[Forest_Run_Beginner]

AMAZING, that is some achievement, well done and HUGE CONGRATULATIONS.

It's so inspiring to read about other people's running targets/aims and of course, the wonderful success stories, like yours. Thank you

Congratulations again on taking on the Bath Half and winning, and in a great time too. I hope you celebrated well yesterday.

I imagine you will want to rest for at least a day or two after that but once you do get back to it, happy running

[Redcello41 Graduate in reply to Forest_Run_Beginner]

Thank you, a lot has happened in just one year! My legs are still stiff and sore so still resting a taking it easy but I am already planning my challenges for my next year of running!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

What an inspirational post Rc41! And what a year you’ve had - my runniversary was in February and like you I can’t quite believe that from barely getting through week 1, I can actually call myself a runner (well, slow trotter!). Congratulations on your Bath Half - a lovely bit of bling! And happy running!

[Redcello41 Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thanks and Happy belated Runniversary to you too! It It is amazing when we look back at where we came from to where we are now!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate in reply to Redcello41]

Thanks Redcello! Yes, it all seems a bit strange!

[Redcello41 Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Yes it does doesn't it? Hope you are still enjoying running amidst all this chaos! 😃

[Ch0911 Graduate]

Superb!!

No other words needed 👍👌

[Redcello41 Graduate in reply to Ch0911]

Thanks!

[Comfortnotspeed]

Inspiring! Thank you for sharing this 😊

[Redcello41 Graduate in reply to Comfortnotspeed]

Thank you!

[MartinKH Graduate]

What a fantastic story, congratulations on your achievements.

Very good of you to share and inspire us newbies, thank you .

Happy running 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️👍

[Redcello41 Graduate in reply to MartinKH]

Thank you and hope you are enjoying your running too!

[Hidden]

Absolutely fantastic! So lovely to read your triumph over many adversities. I wish you so much more happiness running. A really great achievement. Well done 🏆

[Redcello41 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much!

[Fionamags Graduate]

That is so fantastic - well done! Glad to hear that you've kept on running. An inspiration to others!

[Redcello41 Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

Thank you! I just wanted to encourage people because I was in their shoes starting the first scary C25K run a year ago and I know what it feels like!