C25k anniversary!

[2718281]

Hi all, last year, on this day, I started c25k. I want to share with all of you how things have gone since then, it might be of help for someone starting now (it's a long post!!)

So, a bit of background, I've been obese my entire life and 2 years ago I was at my worst with a BMI of 52. After many diets, I decided to take a different approach and make small changes to my habits. That included exercise, which is something that I hadn't tried in years I was sensible enough not to start with difficult things, so I started with simple bodyweight exercises that I could do at home. After almost one year, my BMI was 37, and I felt like I was healthy enough to try something more. I was too conscious to go to the gym and join a class, and I also know myself enough to know that I wouldn't like having a class schedule that I had to keep (I didn't want to set myself up for failure), so I decided to try c25k. Having had a knee injury in the past and again, being scared of being seen by people, I decided to join a gym (that is 20 meters from my front door) and do it on a treadmill. In my mind, if I could manage to get up to 30 min running 3 times a week, that would be a very healthy habit. Now, this is how things really went:

My first day I went to the gym really late, I checked this feature in google maps that tells you when a place is not very frequented and I chose a time wisely, I was almost on my own. I spent a bit of time figuring out how to use the treadmill, and I started w1r1. I was very surprised when I managed to complete the first day running all the intervals, and even more surprised when I was "just" a bit sore the following days (I was expecting not being able to get up!!). I did my first two weeks running Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but by the third week, I couldn't wait to do my following run so I started running alternate days. I don't think I was physically more fit in only 2 weeks, but I could feel the effect of the runs and I started feeling much more confident. I continued c25k and finished by the end of June. At that time, I could run around 3.5 km (and now I know that the treadmill I was using overestimates the distance!!!). I continued to run 3 days a week for 3 weeks, did my consolidation but I started having a sharp pain on the top of my left foot it disappeared the second I stopped running... with some investigation, at the age of 38, I learn to tie my shoelaces properly First running problem solved!!

At graduation, I got myself a Garmin as a gift, so after consolidation, I started an easy 5k plan with my Garmin coach. Yes, I said before that 30 min 3 times per week was good enough... I was so close to 5k, such a nice number... So I went for it. It only took me 45 min :). In September I run my first parkrun, 42 min, a new personal best :). Then things got out of control, if I could run 45 min, maybe I could run 60 min, and if could run 60 min, maybe I could run 10k?? Then people in this forum were sharing their experiences of running a half marathon so I said, why not??? At this point, I was starting to think that I would need to stop using the treadmill, at least for the long runs, but then the lockdown came, and the gym was closed, and of course, I could stay home but... I haven't had any aches or pains since I started running, and I do a lot of strength exercises, I was feeling quite confident about my knee so I started running outside. Last week I did my longest run (10 miles) and today, as anniversary run, I went for a 5k and finished in 33 min! And my BMI is now at 26, and still going down

So this very long post is for all those who are starting, that are feeling a bit like me one year ago, worried about what other people may think when they see them running, about not being fast enough when they see the numbers other people post, about "real runners"... Running has helped in a way nothing else had before, it's obviously improved my physical health but it's also improved my self-confidence and it's become part of my daily life; and it has also given me the opportunity to meet a lot of amazing people in these forums!

Many thanks to all you for your support this year, stay safe and keep running!

[russiantea]

Well done OP, what an inspiring story! 😊

[2718281 Graduate in reply to russiantea]

Thanks!

[BaileyRun]

What a wonderful story, I am so pleased for you. You have done so well and come so far. I must admit I liked the bit about the shoe laces! - Made me smile, but seriously you are a champion.

I have just started Couch25K and loving it. I am quite fit and usually go to the gym regularly as I really don't like outside exercise (usually too cold for a start) but I have now completed week 2 run 2 all outdoors, and like you, thinking of doing it alternate days. I'll see.

Thanks for such an inspiring story - keep going, you're amazing!

[2718281 Graduate in reply to BaileyRun]

I'm glad you liked the shoelaces... I didn't mention the story of the trousers following during a run

[PP77 Graduate]

What an awesome post .... so inspiring. Well done on your fantastic achievements!

[Shar71 Graduate]

Thank you so much for sharing your story :)) and a massive well done ! You should be very proud of yourself you have done amazing and a true inspiration.

[Beatlesforever Graduate]

That's a wonderful story, so inspiring, thank you for sharing 🙂