You are in good company

[Dexy5]

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.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

That’s a very encouraging post Dexy, it certainly hooked us

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Not sure how I would have coped in the last year without it.

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

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,

[Sandie1961 Graduate]

Stratford? Happy days 🥰

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Sandie1961]

Yes , what better picture than some of the lovely HU running buddies at our favourite weekly event?

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

A wonderful addiction. 🥰

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Who knew when we first puffed our way to our first 1 minute?

[Sandie1961 Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

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 😂

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Sandie1961]

Wow. All that time you’ve been running and she didn’t think of starting C25k. Good luck to her .

[Sandie1961 Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Ah well, she was in Berkshire and I was in Lincolnshire. Out of sight, out of mind!

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Sandie1961]

I can’t convince my sister....

[Katnap Graduate]

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'

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Katnap]

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.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

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.

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

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.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

There is a snow warning for the South Coast and the rest of the South of England for this Sunday

[Oldgirlruns Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Ah, we’re a fine looking bunch Alan!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

👍 Agree

[Sandie1961 Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Goodness knows how long it will be until we can do it again, but that will be one special weekend 🤞🏻

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Sandie1961]

Champagne in our water bottles will be in order. 🥂

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

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!! 👏👏👏

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

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.

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Katnap and I were trying to decide when a runniversary is and we both decided it was the graduation too 👍

[David_G]

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.

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to David_G]

Yes, the saving grace for many this year, I am sure.

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

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 👍🏃‍♂️

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix]

And you started just before Covid took over our lives so you were fully prepared for these strange times.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

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!

The folk we meet on our way are a true blessing!

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

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.

[Hidden]

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 😄🤗

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

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.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate in reply to Hidden]

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!

[Hidden in reply to Oldgirlruns]

🤗 🙏🤗

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

Lovely group photo. Nice to see everyone’s faces.

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Great meeting you and lexi6 at wilmslow too.

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

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.

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Fingers crossed , it won’t be long grumpy. 🤞

[TailChaser Graduate]

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!

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

And something to hang your bling on. And block off Saturday mornings for parkrun.

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Oh yes!! Definitely those things too 💪 We’ve got very undisciplined on Saturday mornings recently but we’ll be back!

[Fionamags Graduate]

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...

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

One day indeed. Saturdays will never be the same for you.