One year later

[Brooko]

It’s been a good year since finishing C25k.

I remember feeling stronger and more planted and athletic each week. I remember graduating on holiday in Cornwall in October.

I remember bridging to 10km and running the impossible to imagine 10km in Jan 2020. My ski trip later that same month opened my eyes as I Skied all day for 6 days without the usual struggle.

But then I lost my way a bit.

I missed the odd week and got distracted. Still running but feeling disappointed as I could still not do a 30min 5k. Some people who graduated near me were doing much better.

So I cut back and cut back and then had a fall.

That stopped me for a couple of weeks and I really did consider giving up.

But I just started again. Long fast walks to medium run walks and having a good old chat to myself.

I read about heart rate training and realised why C25K works. It’s not about how far or how fast it’s time at cardio heart rates.

So I went super slow 7km per hour slow jogs for 30 min then 40min then 50 mins.

The speed has naturally increased but I am not fast.

Importantly I now run twice a week. I really enjoy it. I listen to podcasts and if I need a drink I slow to a walk for the time it takes. Each one is 45 to 50 mins 5 to 7km but each one is a good run at my pace.

So keep at it because it’s really worth it and the end will be the beginning of finding out what your running will be.

Enjoy the time spent on you. just keep it slow. The only target worth hitting is keeping it fun.

Happy running all.

[Hidden]

I used to run 3 times a week then beat myself up when I didn't run 5k in under 30 mins. I lost my way too. I came bake though, and started again. I'm on week 5, feeling more motivated and love it.

Well done you and keep running!!!

[Dups Graduate]

What a inspirational post. Loved it 😊

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Thank you for sharing your journey.

You are so right about running needing to be fun. 😄

Like you, I have relished the improvement in other forms of exercise (for me, climbing the fells in the Lake District without the ascent being a misery is a great result of my running.)

Running for enjoyment & reaping the health benefits is a wonderful “win win”! 😄👍🏻

[Roxdog Graduate]

All very wise and thanks for your post. So glad you're back out there. It is so easy to feel a bit deflated if our pace isn't improving or we're not as fast as others, but everyone is different. I doubt I'll ever do a 5k in 30 mins, but I can run further than 5k and enjoy every minute mostly. So who am I trying to impress! We should all be proud of ourselves for just running, however we choose to run!