Almost there

[Chess89]

Hi everyone

Having not run since high school (when forced around the field for cross country!) and having been conscious during lockdown of being stuck indoors - not a good thing for me mentally - I somehow decided to get a treadmill and pick up C25K.

W1 R1 was a real challenge and I wondered why I thought I could do it. But over the weeks, I’ve stuck to running every other day and have been pleased to see my progress. I read stories on here, but refrained from actually posting, believing it might work for everyone else but it couldn’t possibly apply to me and at some point I would get stuck and not achieve the end goal.

When I made it through my first 20 minute run, I went out and got my gait assessment and bought myself some running shoes after reading someone else having done the same. At first I was uncertain of them, still feeling ridiculous I would buy myself some running shoes.

A few runs in with them, I loved the shoes and my progress continued. This morning I’ve completed W9 R2. It was harder than W9 R1 but I know that’s just how it goes. I can’t believe after my next run I’ll have completed the C25K app. I’m not quite at 5K distance wise so I wanted to improve my speed, but I gather the better option is to continue with endurance, so I’ve downloaded another app which works in the same way to increase first to 40 minutes, then on to 1 hour. Again, it’s absurd to me to think I could ever run one hour, but I remind myself of where I was not that many weeks back and part of me vaguely accepts now that it may actually happen.

I thought I’d write this post as I’ve found it helpful to read the experiences of others even if not posting myself. Thanks for sharing your experiences, it’s been really useful for me to understand the process and get ideas on how best to progress.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

This is a great post to read !

It shows how good this program is !

We know it improves our physical fitness but it's also great for improving your self belief !

Well done !

Enjoy your final run of C25K 😬👍

[Chess89 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you I appreciate it you’re right, I think for me particularly my self belief is always the issue. I didn’t want to tell anyone I’d started because I believed I’d fail. Quietly doing it myself to start with helped take the pressure out, and over the weeks I’ve found myself willing to mention it to people in conversation as I start to recognise it as an actual achievement I’m pleased with.

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Chess89]

Your absolutely right !

But sometimes I found that if I mentioned it on here, then I had to do it 😂

Strange how the mind can work !

The one I didn't broadcast before hand was my Graduation run yesterday.

So, I know what you mean .

I guess the more success we have the more we are willing to open up about it 😁

[Chess89 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Absolutely, and willingness to try other things too because impossible things seem less impossible when you start seeing something working.

It’s true there’s a balance of if people know about it, it keeps you feeling more accountable. I think it helped for me to start quietly but talking about it a bit more now makes it more likely to stay on track.

Well done on your progress thanks for the messages!

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Chess89]

Thank you , your welcome

[LdeP]

Hi I’m in week 7 and already thinking about what will come next after I’ve finished C25K but not achieved 5K.

Can I ask which app you’re using to increase runtime to 40 mins as that sounds like something I’d find useful. Thanks and well done for almost finishing. You’ll probably have finished by the time you read this so congratulations!

[Chess89 Graduate in reply to LdeP]

Thanks Nope I’ve just done R2 this morning so it won’t be until Saturday now!

The app I downloaded is just called Start Running. It has 4 levels and 30 mins to 40 mins is level 3 so I’ll start from there. My friend recommended it, he’s been running too and started on this app rather than using C25K and seems to be getting on well with it, so hopeful it’ll be much the same..

[LdeP in reply to Chess89]

Thanks. I’ll look it up when the time comes

[nowster Graduate]

Very well done, and thanks for popping your head over the parapet at last.

Our bodies are amazing. This programme allows us to stretch our capabilities within our capabilities.

Enjoy your graduation run in a few days. You've earned it.

[Chess89 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Thank you