1 Year Runniversary ✨🎉😀

[Comfortnotspeed]

Today is my first runniversary; last May I decided to start C25K. I spent 56 years truly believing that I couldn’t run. Not because anything was wrong with me. No. Because I believed it. A whole story was embedded in my imagination. I would start to run. I would get embarrassingly red and sweaty. I would need to stop from exhaustion and then a person would see me and I wouldn’t be able to stop because they would think I was useless. Then I would be too tired to run and too embarrassed to stop…

Overthinking much

😂

Happily, joining the group here made me realise that actually I should just have a go and take it one run at a time. Take it steady and take the good with the not so good. Have a laugh with the members here and take some good advice.

So, it can happen, a total non-runner can learn to run. But not just that, to discover that they love😍 running and look forward to it. Do I wish I discovered this earlier? No way Jose! Because I need this right now. Especially right now.

OK. I messed up first C25K around and did too much too soon, and yes I graduated but ended up on the IC. Second time, that was the one for me. I’d learned to take it steady. Take the rest when I needed it. Not to expect my body to run without strength and flexibility too. And then I knew. I love this. Me. Getting up early through Jan and Feb to run and enjoying it.

Last week,I was out attempting my longer run. I stopped for a quick “Hello” with someone I knew; they were out early to tend their allotment. “You’re really red,” the dreaded words. “Yes.” I answered. “I’m just out for my run.” And so, I survived the scenario that had held me back for so many years.

It's the community that keeps going, the other runners that share the journey all the way. It may be a virtual community but the support is very real.

I promise you, if you are thinking about starting, you can do this and I hope that you enjoy the journey. Stay strong, well and safe.

😀

[BeetrootFace77 Graduate]

Well done you! I also go a very red even after a couple of minutes of running hence my user name! I'm on week 6, tomorrow is run 2 (10 mins / 10 mins) I'm already dreading run 3 of 25 minutes!

[Comfortnotspeed in reply to BeetrootFace77]

Just go steady. You’re going to get there! 😊

[Buhos Graduate in reply to BeetrootFace77]

I understand i have been hopping between 5 and 6 to avoid the long ones

[Comfortnotspeed in reply to Buhos]

Give it a go! Take it steady. You’ve been training for it 😊

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Congratulations on your ' runniversary ' Comfortnotspeed . Isn't it great just to lace up those shoes and go. Heres to the next year 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Pink and smug..........the badges of a runner!

[Comfortnotspeed in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Yes. 👊Beetroot for allotments 😂

[Nilsam Graduate]

What a powerful and well written post. One that should stand for all those starting out. Well done and congratulations on your run anniversary. But more importantly well done in putting the past behind you and believing in yourself. Take care. 😎

[Comfortnotspeed in reply to Nilsam]

Thank you 😊

[Hidden]

🌸Happy Runniversary Comfort!🌸

Your post made me smile 😊. So many of us have shared that beetroot faced eureka moment, when we realise that we actually don’t care about how red our face is because we are runners now and have the perfect excuse!! My beetroot faced moments have usually happened when meeting former pupils and their families 🤭.

Wishing you many more happy runniversaries to come 🏃‍♀️🌸😊

[Comfortnotspeed in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! Yes, I empathise about the students, but I can cope with that, too. Mostly 🤣

[Sortofrunning Graduate]

Thank you. This is inspiring. I am your age and was in very bad car crash (drunk/drugged driver hit me head on at 55 miles per hour) in Oct 2018. Ended up in a wheelchair for months. Crushed lower leg and ankle. Walking was a question, let alone running. So, with the help of a great many people who do serious work for a living (surgeons, physical therapists, personal trainers), I ran. It wasn’t pretty or fast (hence my name “Sort if Running”). I’ve been wondering lately if this is for me. I’m not a “natural” runner nor do I seem to be progressing with my speed. So even though I can run without stopping for 5K, I wonder if this program, which I only found after I did my 5K, will help with speed. I, too, get super red...and blotchy, which is lovely. Lol. Thanks for your post. I don’t feel nearly as pathetic or alone now that I’ve found this community. Also, I have to remember how far I have come. It is easy to forget when you lose the artifacts of your injury (wheelchair, walker, then cane). I’m fortunate to be able to walk.

[Comfortnotspeed in reply to Sortofrunning]

Your journey is amazing. I have reread what you have been through; first with absolute shock and horror and then with awe at your attitude.

I’m glad you like the group here. Me too! I couldn’t have done this in isolation.

Perhaps you would share your journey on the main post at some point. It is truly inspirational.

Good luck and stay strong 🌸😊🌸

[Sortofrunning Graduate in reply to Comfortnotspeed]

Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I may share a main post but feeling a bit shy. Haven’t done the program and am American so feeling like an interloper!

[Comfortnotspeed in reply to Sortofrunning]

No interlopers. People giving something a go and sharing 👍Maybe one day 😊

[Bruuuce Graduate in reply to Sortofrunning]

What an amazing story. I have had non of your challenges but I wanted to say I can also run 5k and have been doing so for over a year. I worried about not getting faster but the folks on here reminded me that speed doesn’t matter. I run 5k in just under 45minutes - so very slowly.

[Runforthedress Graduate in reply to Bruuuce]

hi it’s not really the pace I just want to enjoy it especially as it’s taken 9 weeks to get here! 😂