8 months.

[Brooko]

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 🙏👍🏼🏃‍♂️😃

[Granspeed Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

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

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Brooko]

Absolutely. Good target!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

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

[Renee66 Graduate 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 Graduate in reply to Renee66]

Nice to hear from you again. 😃

Class of 2019 rock ✌️

[Blackshoe76 Graduate]

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 Graduate 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 Graduate]

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]

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 Graduate in reply to Captainblackwell]

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

[Brooko Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

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

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Brooko]

Ah, that sounds more my level. Whew. 😅

[Suesixty Graduate]

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 Graduate 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]

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]

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 Graduate]

Reassuring thank you!

[venturieta Graduate]

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