When lock down began in March 2020, one of the presenters of my local radio station started Couch to 5k , and she became hooked like many of those before her and gave weekly updates on her progress. She is now heading towards running a half marathon.
It reminded me that it’s 3 years since I started this wonderful journey at the age of 60, and I thank the person who introduced me to C25k. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done for both my physical and mental health, and I have met some lovely people via this forum and parkrun.
I read today that Caroline Quentin did C25k before starting Strictly last year and she is still running 3 times a week.
So stick with it everyone, it does get easier, and you will never regret it.
Written by
Dexy5
Graduate
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I would have put in more weight for sure, a stone isn’t much fun but a colleague who stopped smoking the same time as me put on 3 so every time i don’t feel like going out for a run I think it could be more,
My run today was delayed by my sister phoning me to say that she had just done C25k W1R1. I was absolutely gobsmacked 😳 She answered a request on her village Nextdoor site out of intense boredom (she’s a driving instructor, so unable to work and earn again!) Had to dig her old trainers out of the back of the wardrobe 😂
The photo is clearly pre-pandemic! Fingers crossed we can return to those days before this year is done. If (/when) you get the running bug feel free to move to the 'Bridge'
Those were the days when we could drive to Stratford-upon-Avon for a Weekend, have an evening at the theatre, a running buddy meet at parkrun, followed by coffee and cake in The Pantry, and then a spot of Christmas shopping. Not to mention another get together at a pub. It’s amazing how much you could fit in pre-lockdown.
Those days WILL return, perhaps later this year we can get back to our Saturday morning parkruns, I don't expect it before September at the earliest, that is a really nice photo of you all.
They sure will Al. The photo is of UpTheStanley , Katnap TailChaser and the kittens, Sandie1961 and her friends, , Oldgirlruns, , cheekychipmunks and, of course , Flossie the lab.
Oh I sooooooo miss that Dexy! It’s so strange here at the moment. It will happen again, I know it will then we can have a slap up celebration at the pub and The Pantry and block book a load of seats at the theatre!
Congratulations on your 3 year start of runniversary, it must be mine too!! 👏👏👏
Cannot wait! Yes I started in January and then did a ski holiday and started again in March, so I usually celebrate the graduation Runniversary because I know the exact date.
Well said Dexy5 ! It’s absolutely true and I doubt I’d have been able to cope as well as I have without C25K and running to help with my mental health. The physical benefits are perhaps more obvious at the start, but the sense of perspective, resilience and focus that running gives us shouldn’t be underestimated.
Lovely post Dexy5, just imagine how many more people were inspired to try C25k having listened to her journey on local radio. I totally agree with you, it’s improved my mental and physical wellbeing and helped me get through 2020. At the moment with all that I’ve got going on, it’s helped me no end, as has the support of the wonderful people on this forum 👍🏃♂️
I will second this post...Huge well done to you and thank you for all your wonderful posts over those years. I realised that on Dec 17th 2020... It was five years since I graduated.We start this and we have no idea of the joys it will bring to us, or indeed where it will take us!
And in 5 years you have supported so many baby and intermediate runners Oldfloss, and most importantly, slowed us down when we needed it. 🐌 🐌 You and the team of admins and mentors answered all our questions along the way, and picked us up when we fell.
Lovely Dexy, one day may we all have the pleasure of those happy days. I do feel rather sad that in almost a whole year of running in real-time I have met and run with absolutely no one. My Parkrun ID bracelet has hung on its hook, still awaiting its virgin run. 😕 I imagine this forum has been so important a link for many 1000’s of Runner’s like me born in COVID time 😄🤗
Ooh you have so much to look forward to jorge, when parkrun and races return. I just love running with others, and it breaks the ice to allow friendships to form. You have done brilliantly to start C25k when you did. There were so many of you who started at that time, I couldn’t keep up with you all.
It will happen jR, and then your shiny new parkrun bracelet will come into it’s own! In the meantime when you’re out there running, just imagine us all there running with you!
Dexy what a lovely post, these are such hard times for so many of us, it's lovely to be reminded of what is waiting for us when we get out of this mess.
It is a very lovely post Dexy and I think we all feel very similar. It has been our saving grace this past 10 months. To those just starting out: it’s the best thing you can do, you really won’t regret it but you will have to find some space in your cupboards and drawers for all the kit you’ll collect!
What lovely memories that photo must hold for you. I too have a pristine park run wristband that I bought mid C25K as motivation and its never been used!!! One day...
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When drinking more is good for you!
Today is a VERY good day 🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️ Please read if you are wavering 
Who said that running was good for you? 
1st Park run today - running in company for a change
Good Friday graduation run
