8 months. : Hi all. I started c25k on September... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,728 members158,738 posts

8 months.

Brooko profile image
BrookoGraduate
19 Replies

Hi all. I started c25k on September the 5th 2019 and graduated back in Jan after missing some run time due to illness in December 😷 since then I have ran 10k once just to prove I could but it’s not me. Ish 5k 3 times a week in whatever time it takes is fine with me. Sometimes it’s hard and I can’t wait to finish. Sometimes I could carry on for 5k more. I am no a graceful gazelle more of a gorilla. But a runner I am.

Why the big story? Well I wanted to let you all know I struggled many times on couch. I was scared to run 5mins. I ached, I hurt, shins were blooming murder. Even when I graduated I could not run 5k. But eventually I did run 5min then 8 then 20 then 25 then 30. After couch I ran 35 40 50 and eventually 60 and in the end. 90 mins. So at month 8 I do what I enjoy. I run fo 30 to 50 mins 5 to 7k usually. It ends well but every run I start out at a plod. Thanks to couch I can run and you will to.

Starting age 53 and 15 stone now 14.5 stone and falling.

Enjoy the journey 🙏👍🏼🏃‍♂️😃

Written by
Brooko profile image
Brooko
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
19 Replies
Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate

Hey, this is a great post, Brooko. 👏🏼 In these tense times, it’s so good to be reminded that there are many different ways of enjoying running. Thanks, and happy running to you. 🎉

Brooko profile image
BrookoGraduate in reply to Granspeed

My weekend target was to be grateful and helpful so this post was both x I hope x

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate in reply to Brooko

Absolutely. Good target!

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate

Hi good to see your post, it’s nice to know people are still running

Renee66 profile image
Renee66Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun

Hi also nice to see a familiar name and assume you are still running. Saw a lot of posts from you around the time I did C25K Oct to Dec 2019. You helped to keep me going!!! I don't post here often ( either busy or disorganized!!!) but I'm still running, kept at it even after a break with sore thighs. Invested in good shoes so know I'm really going to keep going. Just " pour encourager les autres" I'm telling that I am 66 ( as it says on the tin!). My only regret is I hated exercise all my life. Running is a lifeline in my new retirement. I was a teacher till 65 and luckily had good health and lots of energy. I could see, though, that teens like to have younger teachers 😊😊so I went gracefully in the end! Lovely to come across you on here again.

Brooko profile image
BrookoGraduate in reply to Renee66

Nice to hear from you again. 😃

Class of 2019 rock ✌️

Blackshoe76 profile image
Blackshoe76Graduate

Thank you for sharing this Brooko! I am a beginner (W1R2), doubting if I will managed to keep going, not to mention completing it, so the post is very much appreciated 💚.

Brooko profile image
BrookoGraduate in reply to Blackshoe76

I am a little jealous as weeks 1 to 7 were just amazing times for feeling accomplished. If you have doubts remember Brooko plodded round so I can do it as well. Any one can run. It’s as much about training your brain as your body.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Superb post. It’s not about distance or pace... but it’s about finding what works for you, and your happy pace/duration/distance. Good to hear you’re enjoying your running.

Captainblackwell profile image
Captainblackwell

This does not sound unfamiliar although I have never run 10 k there is not enough daylight hours !I run 5 k in around 33-35 mins but I don’t really care .I think the main aim should be 30 mins continuous rather than 5 k if your old and fat like me still smiling though!! Keep plodding guys!!

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate in reply to Captainblackwell

Hey, don’t knock it. You’re well faster than I am! 🤣 Feel smug and keep “plodding”. 😄

Brooko profile image
BrookoGraduate in reply to Granspeed

My 5k is 38 mins or 45 if I am enjoying the weather and the look around. X

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate in reply to Brooko

Ah, that sounds more my level. Whew. 😅

Suesixty profile image
SuesixtyGraduate

Thank you for the post. It reminds me to keep going and not get despondent. I started C25K in December 2019 and graduated in February. I have not managed to run 5K but plod on with 30 - 35 minutes continuous jogging. I would like to make the magic 5K so glad to read you made it.

Brooko profile image
BrookoGraduate in reply to Suesixty

Just add another bit of time on legs each run that feels good. Even one more min is good. For me one day I just felt good and added 10 more mins and boom 5.4km done. A week later I did 20 mins more and 7km !!! I had to sit down and check the app twice as I could not believe. So go slow and just target time. Geoffing is allowed for extra time.

M17el profile image
M17el

Thank you for your update.

It is encouraging. I started c25k in Jan. A few hiccups with work then a pulled Achilles and now covid 19. All around like excuses. The positive is that I have now moved outside from the gym so it is nice to hear that it is achievable with persistence thank you.

richfromnotts profile image
richfromnotts

That is an amazing story and so similar to mine. It’s nearly a year since I started and can vouch for everything you are saying. Well done on your achievement. Keep it up. I’ve lost 3 stones in weight in a year. I’ve still more to lose but I feel great!

Cowladyrunning profile image
CowladyrunningGraduate

Reassuring thank you!

venturieta profile image
venturietaGraduate

Thank you so much for sharing. Today was a bad day (W4D2) and I was feeling very moody about it until reading your story.

You may also like...

Update, 8 months in.

first 10k in 72 mins in late May. I then committed to doing the Great North Run and started...

Its been 8 month since my last post

posting but I HAVE been running! Due to time constraints I run on my lunch break 2-3 times a week...

8 months in & I prepping for my new challenge

artheritic snail but I can run for 1 hour 40 mins non stop. After graduating, I concentrated on...

Running during the winter months

I started running around the time I was 20, but never full runs - more like intermittent...

Running reflections at the beginning of a month hiatus

UK will be approx 18 hours. This time last year I had graduated, ran my first 10km and a few...