Just finished 9.3 - here’s a lot of waffle! - Couch to 5K

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Just finished 9.3 - here’s a lot of waffle!

Reggit profile image
ReggitGraduate
19 Replies

It was on the 11th May whilst driving home from work (key worker) in full lockdown that I had the crazy idea to have a bash at couch to 5k, I’d considered it a couple of years ago and didn’t get off the couch!

Anyway dressed in walking boots, combat trousers and a shirt (yes that is my work attire) I stopped at a local walking/cycle path (anyone from Preston area will know the guild wheel). Anyway I set off to Laura’s relaxing tones on W1 R1, I still remember ‘it’s JUST 60 seconds’. That was the longest 60 seconds of my life! Anyway Laura got fed up and left after a few minutes (the app crashed in my pocket) and I tried to time the walk/runs on my phones stopwatch. Anyway trying not to be physically sick I arrived back at my van. I’m still sure I only did 6 of the 7 runs (so technically not completed the program 😂

Reading this forum (afterwards) and finding the sticky ‘read this before you start’ thread I found out it’s common to run too fast initially- I’d used Strava and it showed the running bits at 6min/km - so yes way too fast. It got a lot better from there onwards.

A breakthrough was when I was forced to wear shorts as the unusually warm spring drove me out of the combats around week 3.

Anyway the weeks went by somewhat in a blur and somehow I’ve just returned from W9 R3

Just deciding if I should plonk myself on the sofa for 10 months and have another go at it next spring, or just keep plodding away at 30 minutes 3ish times a week until it becomes a bit more comfortable (does it ever get easy?)

Anyway if any newbies read this to the end, I just want to say ‘you CAN do this’ if this somewhat overweight (was officially obese when I started) 51 year old who never run since school, actually did try in my 20’s and couldn’t do it, anyone can!

Anyway I’m off to find my badge 😂

One final thing.... I really wish I’d done this years ago! I’ve believed for years (ok decades) that I can’t run and look what’s happened in 2 months!

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Reggit profile image
Reggit
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19 Replies
Islandmacmum profile image
IslandmacmumGraduate

This is amazing to read and the description of your first run made me smile. 😀 Congratulations on your tremendous achievement. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

SweatyHettie profile image
SweatyHettieGraduate

Fantastic - what a fab post, congratulations 🥳🎉🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️👍🏼💪🏻🏁🎓 and don’t you dare go back on the sofa!! See you in consolidation 😜happy running...🏃‍♂️

EThomas profile image
EThomasGraduate

Well done on your graduation. Keep running.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Many congratulations on your graduation, fellow runner.

This guide to post C25k running may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Keep running, keep smiling.

JeanneMary profile image
JeanneMaryGraduate

Woo-hoo! Good for you. My first run was very like yours but I was with my 19 year old son, who bounded ahead, across rough, ankle-stressing farm fields in long grass shouting encouragement as I staggered along, also wondering how one minute could be so long! 🤣

I can recommend continuing to run - I'm now on consolidation run number 6 and sometimes it does feel a bit easier...but I'm definitely feeling a lot fitter and happier for doing it.

Keep on keeping on! 🙂🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

Staceyxxxx90 profile image
Staceyxxxx90Graduate

Congratulations, I'm really happy for you. Well done you should be proud. X

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Love the discription of your first run, walking boots 👢 for running are not the most comfortable, I did that before I started C25K also for a couple of minutes.

Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 9 and graduating from C25K, well done 😀 🏃🏾 🎓

To get your graduation badge and the word GRADUATE 🎓 next to your username leave a message in the pinned posts on the right side of the July healthunlocked C25K home page and tell the administrators that you have ran W9R3 of C25K and graduated 🎓 🏃🏾.

Runningscared42 profile image
Runningscared42Graduate

Big congratulations!! ☺️👍👏

Newbie59 profile image
Newbie59Graduate

Wow, so you did the programme in 8 weeks, well done! I was aiming to complete in 54 days when I started off mid April but ground to a halt on that at week 5! I needed two days rest in between and finished in 11 weeks.

You have to keep on running, don't you dare go back to your couch!

Reggit profile image
ReggitGraduate in reply toNewbie59

Apart from the first weekend I ran it every other day. So was one day off the minimum possible time I could complete it in with rest days between each run.

Going to drop down to Monday, Wednesday, Friday I think going forward as these are easier for me to get out on.

Newbie59 profile image
Newbie59Graduate in reply toReggit

I tend to vary my days, I don't have a strict routine. At first I thought weekdays would be best, fewer people around, but I quite like doing a run on a Saturday or Sunday morning because there are more runners around and I feel part of the club (now that I can actually run for 30 minutes) :)

Dtay1978 profile image
Dtay1978Graduate

Congrats 🥳

FestinaLente profile image
FestinaLenteGraduate

Brilliant! Congratulations.

Hareshaw-Granny profile image
Hareshaw-GrannyGraduate

Huge congratulations on your amazing achievement. Well done.

🏅🏅⭐️⭐️👏👏👍😁

Mands50 profile image
Mands50Graduate

Congratulations and well done. Here’s to many more running adventures for you 🎉

Fifitrixiebell73 profile image
Fifitrixiebell73Graduate

Fab post!

Congratulations 🥳🥳🥳🥳

Tinytears60 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate

Wow- Congratulations!

I can SO relate to a lot of this! Especially the week 1 comments 🤣

Before I go any further - thank you for being a key worker! 🙏🏻

Right back to the post! Such a D’s. Achievement for you!

Would be such a waste to get back on the couch for 10 months... especially after all your hard work to get here!

You are well on your way to improving your fitness ... 👏👏👏 keep plodding away ... I am sure you will reap the benefits

Anyway fab fab effort! 👍

Greenk profile image
GreenkGraduate

Brilliant, well done!!

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate

Congratulations 😀 it’s addictive isn’t it?

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