1 year ago today at 6am, full of anxiety and trepidation I was hunting around in my wardrobe for some running kit. I found some Jogging bottoms and a pair of trainers great, but what about my top half, it’s dark and cold out there I need to be visible. So I came up with the bright idea of putting my sweatshirt on with a white tee shirt over the top of it, this ensemble being completed by a woollen beanie hat 👍
Out through the front door I went, glancing left and right hoping none of the neighbours would see me. I could see the silhouette of someone in the distance stood near their porch, a shift worker perhaps....who knows.
So with the kind reassuring voice of Jo Whiley in my ears I set off, Week 1 Run 1. Well I don’t remember much about the run itself other than it was hard and when I arrived back home I was hot sweaty and knackered🥵 .......but I also felt proud, with a sense of achievement.
That evening there was a knock on the door, sorry to bother you a worried looking man said .....I’ve been knocking doors along the terrace as I saw a suspicious looking character leaving one of these houses early this morning and I’ve been worrying about it all day as I think someone may have been broken into !
That was me I said, I’ve just started Couch to 5k ! .......he looked at me and I could see the relief in his face as we both laughed, he went on to tell me he was a runner and began offering me advice.
Luckily nobody had been broken into that morning or it could have been Couch to 5 Years 😂
I didn’t tell anyone I worked with I was doing C25k until I’d actually graduated although people would comment on my weight loss, which was eventually 2 stone.
Anyway 1 year on I’m still running and still loving it. I’ve managed a sub 30 5k twice and my furthest distance to date is 10 miles, which I’ve also managed twice. I’ve earned some lovely running bling albeit virtual, having Completed the Vitality 10,000, and the Salisbury 10 Mile, plus a Race at Your Pace 50 Mile Challenge in December 2020.
I always try to offer help and support when I can although I still class myself as a Newbie. I’m proud to say I’ve inspired some of the lovely ladies I work with to do C25k, 3 have since graduated with another 2 currently on Week 8.....stick with it CI578 😉👍
To anyone currently on their C25k journey I would say be patient and be determined, the plan does work, sometimes it can be challenging but its life changing and definitely worth the effort.
You are an inspiration Couchphoenix!😁
Thanks NusiaFab 😁