I did it!!! I can’t quite believe it :)

[Ericaknight31]

A year ago today (how ironic) I decided enough was enough and I needed to sort myself out! I’d put on just over a stone in two months and I felt like shit! I started calorie counting and losing the weight but I needed something more so in June, I bought myself a treadmill and embarked on the C25K journey.

It was hard! Really hard! It took me weeks to be able to do the first run because I was that unfit! I didn’t think that I’d ever be able to do it.

I managed to get to week 4 before I gave up and blamed it on life getting in the way.

In January, I decided to try it again! It’s been a long journey and I’ve repeated so many weeks but I’ve just completed the whole programme. 30 minutes of running!!! I’m not quite at the 5k mark but I really don’t care, I can run for 30 minutes (I just can’t believe it!).

I hadn’t done any exercise since year 8 in school and I’ve never, ever been able to run so this, to me, is a massive achievement that I wouldn’t ever think was possible!

I’ve lost all the weight that I put on, plus more and I feel good, I can walk up the stairs now without getting out of breath so that’s always a bonus 😂

Now to start the real journey! Race for life, I’m coming for you!!! 🥳🥳

[Voldatort Graduate]

Whoop whoop! Fabulous job. Well done for sticking through the difficult bits

[Ericaknight31 Graduate in reply to Voldatort]

Thank you! I’m so damn proud of myself ☺️

[nowster Graduate]

Well done! 🏆🏃‍♀️🏅🍾

Have you tried running in the big outdoors yet? It's a totally different experience to the treadmill.

[backintime Graduate in reply to nowster]

Yes, do try running outside if you can. It's nicer in my opinion.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big advocate for treadmills, I did all of C25K on it and I also did all the Bridge to 10k on it, I like the hop on and hop off-iness of it, but I did venture outside once I got past allergy season and after an initial adjustment period, I loved it outside more. I then moved all my longer runs outside, but used the treadmill for some runs or intervals.

[Ericaknight31 Graduate in reply to backintime]

Me and the great outdoors didn’t get on when I ventured outside but I think that’s because I was still adjusting to running. I’m planning to do the programme again outside now ☺️ and hope that I don’t need oxygen and someone to pick me up at the side of the road 😂

[backintime Graduate in reply to Ericaknight31]

If it helps, I didn't need to do the whole thing again outside, I just went out every other day for about 2 weeks and I was back at 10k

It was hard at first, but it was just an adjustment, you have the distance in your legs, you just need to adjust outside. Admittedly I was very disheartened in the beginning and thinking that I had been doing something wrong, but it really is just an adjustment phase, plus I unconsciously ran too fast outside at first.

Add a 1k run, or 10 mins even, go somewhere nice and flat and you'll be surprised how quickly it comes, or do 10 minutes outside, run inside and finish your 30 mins on the treadmill, and gradually extend?

[Ericaknight31 Graduate in reply to backintime]

That sounds doable and reassuring that it does eventually come naturally. I was a mess the last time I tried. I think that I was trying to go too quickly and at the time, it was a week of run, walk, run and I used my walks to get uphill which I don’t think helped

[Ericaknight31 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Thank you! I haven’t. Well, that’s a lie, I tried at week 4 and swiftly gave up! I’m now going to start the programme again but outside ☺️

[backintime Graduate]

Huge congratulations! Kudos for not giving up when the going got touch

[Ericaknight31 Graduate in reply to backintime]

Thank you! It’s been tough and I’ve been close but so chuffed that I powered through it ☺️

[Frenc Graduate]

Yay well done! That’s tenacity for you, if ever there was 😊. 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[Ericaknight31 Graduate in reply to Frenc]

Thank you ☺️ I’m so chuffed with myself!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Many congratulations on your graduation, fellow runner.

This guide to post C25k running may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Ericaknight31 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you!! So chuffed with myself ☺️

[Scrambled_Legs Graduate]

Yey congratulations 🙌🎉🙌🎉🙌🎉 I know how I felt Sunday after running for the first time ever for 20mins none stop.

Too right you should shout your success from the roof tops - it really is an achievement and one for you that holds a lot of meaning too. There will be no stopping you now 😀

[Ericaknight31 Graduate in reply to Scrambled_Legs]

I loved that first 20 minute run. It really gave me the push that I needed to say that I could do it ☺️ Go you!!!

[Rotti57 Graduate]

Fantastic, well done you 👏👏👏👏

[Ericaknight31 Graduate in reply to Rotti57]

Thank you!!