A success story

[jadevictoria]

Really proud of myself today and I’m here to brag I’m afraid - look away now if that’s going to demotivate or annoy you!

I started my couch to 5k journey in 2013.... tried it a few times, quit around week 5 each time.

Started it again in June 2020 following a few months of feeling very sorry for myself in lockdown and not going out for weeks at a time with really bad anxiety. I followed the plan to the letter and graduated in September. I’ve been running consistently ever since and working with a physio to iron out kinks as they come up.

I set out for tempo run in my clunky stability shoes today after a string of runs impeded by tight calves. Felt looser than I have in a week, and hit the gas. I knew after 1k I had a good chance at setting a PB if nothing went hugely wrong, and went for it. I know the veterans of the group are very much a fan of encouraging slow running but I’m very proud of myself today and usually have a good variety of slower and fast runs so please don’t tell me off! I promise I am a responsible runner and I know progress doesn’t just come with speed! I’m 26 so of course my age is a huge advantage but there was one point where I never thought I’d be able to run a sub 30 min 5k! And I’m knocking minutes off slowly but surely still

I just hope this can spur someone on who doesn’t feel like they’ll get to the end, doesn’t feel like they’ll get faster, doesn’t think they’ll ever catch their breath etc etc. I’ve nearly given up over blisters, stitch and weather but now I feel like a true seasoned forever-runner

Pictures below of my stats (minus the map)

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done.There is nothing wrong with pushing hard, but it is, counterintuitively, the slower easy conversational pace that actually builds the aerobic base you need to run faster and further.

Split your training 80% easy, 20% pushing hard to get that pb is the recommended route once you have graduated from C25K.

[jadevictoria Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Always a pleasure to receive your wisdom! I do follow something along the lines of the 80/20 rule

[dkhilton]

Thanks for the post. I've swerved the C25K for a couple of years now, and I feel I run out of excuses. Christmas and New Year present some time freedom opportunities, so I'm going to capitalise on that to get going. 😎

[jadevictoria Graduate in reply to dkhilton]

I feel I've achieved plenty in my (short) life but I honestly never felt prouder than finishing that first 30 minute run. Graduating university was nothing on graduating C25K! Good luck and if you need any tips the forum is a great start

[Peter44 Graduate]

Congratulations, that's a very impressive pace, i usualy do 5k in approx 45 mins 🤣 but i suppose being 30+ years older than you, is a good excuse! It's funny, i keep telling my daughter/ 22, to slow down, but no stopping you younsters! 🤣

[Peter44 Graduate in reply to Peter44]

Youngsters!

[jadevictoria Graduate in reply to Peter44]

45 mins is a very respectable time still Peter, we’re only ever racing our past selves, not each other

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

Brilliant 5k time jadevictoria 👏🏻👏🏻well done, you’ve every right to be proud and to brag about that one 👍🏃‍♀️

[jadevictoria Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix]

I’m sure it will seem a very slow time for some people but I never imagined in June when I could barely run 60 seconds none stop that I’d ever get a 5k time like that! Thanks for the kind words

[nowster Graduate]

Well done! 👍

[BeaBowBea Graduate]

Thank you so much for your post - I am on week five now and my motivation is very low. It's so good to hear your experience.

[jadevictoria Graduate in reply to BeaBowBea]

Week 5 is where I always fell off the wagon previously and it was ALWAYS mental not physical. The plan is designed that it is doable, it’s just convincing yourself of that.

[BeaBowBea Graduate in reply to jadevictoria]

Thank you! I completed run 2 yesterday and afterwards couldn't work our why I’d built it up so much in my mind. Run 3 tomorrow... wish me luck!

[jadevictoria Graduate in reply to BeaBowBea]

Come back and let me know how it goes. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

[Hidden]

Brilliant 👍 and hey brag away that 5k time it's worth it 🙂🥳

[BeaBowBea Graduate]

Thank you so much - I will do!