I started couch to 5k 2nd week of January this year. I am an over weight 29 year old , gym yo-yoer who has never ran in her life and I have always shyed away from cardio based exercise. I remember running a 1 mile cross county at school when I was 13 and it still haunts me to this day! Anyhow, cut a very long story short, my mental health had slowly going into a downward spiral since middle of last year. Everything I tried just couldn't shift the black cloud I was constantly walking under.
Fast forward to January 2021, after being inspired by a friend who went on to run Marathons after not being so fit, I thought, maybe I could be a runner?!
Then a friend who is a PT set up a couch to 5k whatsapp group and I thought 'why not. Just try it'. I'm currently and fortunate enough to be on furlough with very little commitments at home. (I am desperate to get back to work and 'normal life')
Getting out the house, even on my darkest days was an escape I needed. The small victories felt good. Finding this group was also a small goal for me. Seeing nice, honest people offer advice often made me smile. Learning why I was experiencing shin splints in the first 3 weeks was another small goal which has now lead me to running my first ever 5k without stopping in 35 minutes and 3seconds!
I didn't set out on my run to do it, I actually had a really bad week last week, only getting out twice beginning of the week and ran 20 minutes with a short walk or 2 in the middle. I set out today to try and run 22minutes without stopping but for some reason, I changed my route slightly, and I kept thinking 'one more lap around this pond' once I got to the other side, I thought, 'one more' then 'one more'. Resulting in me completing the 5k! Isn't it crazy how sometimes just changing the small things in your mind can make such a huge difference!!
I genuinely feel so incredibly emotional and I'm so proud we have the NHS and we have things in place that can help both physically and mentally.
For anyone who's in doubt, please keep going with this programme! You can do it! Whether it takes 9 weeks or 29, each run, jog or walk is a huge achievement and you will get there!
Reading posts on here also gave me a sense of community and understanding and I would say if anyone wants to post anything, do it! So many people here are supportive and offer fantastic advice.
Also! After much research, anyone with big boobs, check out 'boobuddy'! It looks like a piece of bondage but is fantastic to keep the girls under control and helped me with posture.
Now I've finished my rambling on, I'm going to celebrate with a cuppa tea and a creme egg 😂🥚☕
Written by
Becclesbug
Graduate
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A very inspiring post from you Becclesbug, congratulations on completing your first 5k in a very good time of just over 35 minutes, you can be sure that it won't be long before you can get a sub 35 minute 5K.
Well done and a really great time!! Running is my escape from my mental health issues, don’t know what I’d do without it. Glad it’s helping you as well
Excellent stuff - not a bad pace either - I would be chuffed to be that quick - I am overweight too, but have a couple of decades (plus some!) on you. Keep on going. Don't be disappointed if your next 5K is slower. The important thing is to keep going,
Wow......🙌🏼🏃♀️🥇what a fantastic achievement Becclesbug, huge congratulations 👏! I can relate to many things within your blog and really enjoyed reading it. I’m hoping to graduate next week....🤞🏼🤞🏼. Sending lots of love and best wishes x
This is the perfect post for me to read today after having a really rubbish run and feeling very sorry for myself!! You are an absolute inspiration and should be very proud of yourself for what you have achieved. Well done and thank for helping me put a line under my last run.......ooh and thank you for the boobuddy recommendation 😁
Everyone has not so good days for so many factors. Learning to put the not so good runs aside is key but I always believe stepping out the house is a huge achievement in itself. Sometimes our bodies and minds just don't let us do what we want to unfortunately.
Tomorrow is a new day. Maybe try a new music track. I found listening to dance music on radio 1 dance helped me because I didn't know the length of the songs 😂
Check out the sizing guidance and videos for the boobuddy. I personally went for an L but I probably will order a M if I order another colour 😁
Congratulations well done, your excitement about completing your 5k comes across in your words - brilliant. I'm 2 runs into week 8 and am feeling really chuffed. I'm a lot slower than you but I'll get faster in time. 😀. I'm loving it so far and look forward to my runs, although sometimes when I start running I'm looking forward to the end too.
Just to say WELL DONE YOU!!! I've just finished week 4 so reading this has inspired and encouraged me to carry on! I've also just placed an order for a twin pack of BooBuddys! What an amazing idea - thank you for the recommendation
I hope the band works for you. It was great to watch the videos of the 'real' ladies wearing one. It was a chance but one of the best things I've bought. I sometimes only wear a sports crop top or normal bras along side the band because I've never got on with sports bras.
Well done you!!!!!! I'm not quite there yet but your a inspiration.Thanks 👍
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