So, I’m sat here in a bit of daze. What just happened? The programme was gearing me up for this; I’d completed all the previous runs first time. I was confident coming in to the first significant run.
Was I naive to trust the programme? Had all the advice, encouragement, & support from my fellow C25K friends been for nothing?
No.
Because, people, I just ran for 20 minutes without stopping. I’m going to repeat this!
I
Just
Ran
For
20
Minutes
A little over 5 weeks ago I was literally blowing out of my arse after 60 seconds of running. But, I’d just ran for 20 minutes and, despite a little wobble around 12 minutes, completed it without any slight apprehension of stopping.
Maybe it was the radiant, clear, blue, skies that accompanied me this morning; or the little gestures of acknowledgement to other runners, some of whom are starting to become familiar; or the fact that my dream of completing a half marathon was starting to solidify in to something tangible? But, it felt so natural and right to be moving along this streets and paths with a massive, if slightly creepy, grin spread across my red and sweaty head.
This felt great. There is no turning back.
Friends, I’m a runner now.
Written by
BeaglesEnd
Graduate
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Ooooh, you really had me going there for a bit! I am SO pleased for you! What a fantastic achievement. Half Marathon? Maybe your half marathon is just a stepping stone to a full marathon. Look what you’ve just done! You can achieve anything you put your mind to. You certainly ARE a runner now. Well done, indeed! 😀
Thanks Jools. This was the one run that anyone that looked ahead in the C25K program saw and thought, “Sh!t”. Running for 20 minutes seemed so unimaginable only a couple of weeks ago. But, the program brought me here, with a little effort on my part (!), and with some gas left in the tank. Can’t wait to read your post on the same run because I know you’ll do it!
I felt the same!... i spent my cool down walk in a daze...... this programme is awesome!.... HOW ...no i don't even want to know how!.. we are just doing it!...
Word of caution - enjoy the moment... but watch out for week 6 ... I did run 1 yesterday and if you read my post... Crikey it was tough.... I don't know!... maybe i got too confident after my week 5 run 3 success..... it was by far my most comfortable run and at 20 minutes i just did't understand that, especially when i was struggling with week 1 a run for a mere 60 seconds a few weeks back..... but superb!..love your post!.. the high is amazing and lasts at least a couple of days so enjoy your celebrations!
Thank you. Yes, I read your W6R1 post, so I’m suitably pre-warned. I’m caught in two minds about tempering my enthusiasm or just basking in it! I think I’ll enjoy it for the rest of the day and then reset the mentality tomorrow whilst I’m on my inter-run walk.
It’s great to have someone just ahead of me providing a wake for me to ride along on!
Bask at least for 24 hours!.. you've earned the right to do that!.... its a big milestone in this journey ...then again ...thinking back to earlier weeks... they all are milestones... that's what makes it so fab!....
Your experience of week 6 may not be like mine but i was truly caught off guard... Think i over indulged in my W5r3 celebrations!.... I'm just hoping my body is longing for the more continuous longer runs now.... but i don't even pretend i know how i got here
Wow! Well done. And as for the grin? Check out the Tarahumara people who live in Copper Canyon Central Mexico. The men, women and children run all day. They run and run and run....... But also they’re smiling all day long. Keep going mate. I’m looking forward to emulating you. I did W2R1 today.
Cheers! Well done on getting to the second week. You’ll be posting the same cheesy write up for your 20 minute run in no time. I’ll watch and encourage all the way!
Brilliant, well done! s'great feeling isn't it? I did w6r2 this morning so am facing the first 25 min next. Your post reminded me that I amazed myself with that 20 minuter... and I'll be damned if I'm not going to amaze myself again.... this programme has brought out a stubborn streak i never knew I had! 😂
Thanks! That’s the thing about this program, isn’t it?! How it helps you believe in yourself and then, occasionally, amaze yourself as well. Look forward to reading the 25 minute post. You can do it.
Top tip. Believe you can do it; use all the tips for pacing yourself; don’t worry about the distance. And, mostly importantly, make sure you grin like a demented minion when you finish! Good luck!!
Thank you! Yes, I’ve the last two interval runs of the program on Wednesday and Friday. Being forewarned is a definite advantage. Luckily, in my much younger days I played a lot of competitive sport. I was taught early on to enjoy the win, understand it was hard work that brought it, and then put it behind you and focus on the next goal / game. It is mentality that has helped enormously during this period.
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