Well, I finally enjoy running and no-one is more shocked than me!

[Vogueskater]

So I graduated quite a few months ago and if you look at the posts on this forum, I only did it to prove to myself that this mental block I always had that I 'couldn't run' was rubbish. It was pretty much a slog through the whole c25k, but achieving the 20mins and then 30mins was a high.

My reporting out post was very honest, that it was 50:50 still whether running was for me. Most runs were still not enjoyable and such hard work, people walking and overtaking me, middle of winter etc...

Well, 3m later I'm running 5-6k 2-3 times a week mixed with interval sessions (which are my favourite, I have to vary my pace including jeffing or I get bored)

It has kickstarted a whole change in my attitude to exercise, I'm exercising in some way an hour a day, 30mins yoga and 30mins running or aerobic or spin. I'm progressively losing weight with sensible calorie control, 20lb down with a goal of another 10-15lb to lose.

Sometimes in life the longterm benefits of starting something are just not apparent and for some people it just takes longer to hit a sweet spot where I was fit enough to jog gently for 5k today, get back saying 'I enjoyed that'. Or start seeing a 30 minute 5k as a possibility.

Looking forward to doing my first park run soon. Know the whole time i'll be saying to myself 'slow down! slow down!' because I've only ever run on my own and I and really competitive!

[Greenfingers21 Graduate]

That’s so good to read as even though I’m only on week 6 I’m thinking about what I’m going to do once completed because I want to make sure I don’t become bored without having that guidance.I’m already seeing some benefits but it’s very good to hear there are benefits later on down the line.

If you don’t mind me asking what’s jeffing?

I’ve read it a couple of times but can’t see what it is.

[Vogueskater in reply to Greenfingers21]

It's what we used to call 'scout's pace' i.e a mix of running and walk breaks, C25k obviously has this built in. Some people still prefer strict intervals like c25k does 'i'll run for 5 mins then walk for 1min' but jeffing is technically more just going with how your body feels and your intuition to vary your pace and take walk breaks when needed.

[Greenfingers21 Graduate in reply to Vogueskater]

Ah I see thanks for explaining that. I can certainly see the reasoning behind doing that. It’s like making it more interesting isn’t it.

[Kes101 Graduate]

So amazing what you've achieved !!!! Fantastic isn't it it just THE BEST FEELING 💕🙏🎉🌈👍🏃‍♀️

[Badrun Graduate]

This is great to read and gives hope to us all !

[Rodstar]

It all sounds very familiar to me.....except the bit about enjoying your runs! I only normally enjoy the feeling when I've finished even though I graduated a few months ago and have barely upped my pace or distance since then. However there have been the odd moments when I'm not hating it and I set a new PB of an average speed of 9.05 mins/km on Saturday😊😊

[Buna Graduate]

What an inspiration for me, thank you! I have the same attitude, and am just determined to bust the ‘cant run’ myth in me. Im at week 7 and amazed I have made it this far, but my runs are not joyous..still a challenge. But you really give me hope..thanks for checking in!

[Rwran18 Graduate]

What an inspiration post! I felt exactly the same as you and always convinced myself that I just wasn’t built to run! I now run 3 times a week, and whilst some runs are better than others, I am just totally amazed that I can actually run and am enjoying it.