Week 9 Run 3!!! πŸ†πŸπŸ…πŸ†πŸπŸ…πŸ˜Š: Some weeks ago I... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Week 9 Run 3!!! πŸ†πŸπŸ…πŸ†πŸπŸ…πŸ˜Š

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate
β€’36 Replies

Some weeks ago I sat with this forum, and decided that I would start posting my progress. After watching the Olympics, and spending time chasing a crawling baby around the room, muttering β€œI’m too old for this” I decided that I would start the Couch to 5k. I don’t know why. I’ve never been interested in running or any sports for that matter. I gave myself the online name Davidnotarunner and wrote the following as my bio. β€œI am overweight with a protruding stomach, diabetic and insulin dependent, on Statins. My lifestyle is… sat down mostly. I get tired walking up the stairs. Used to live a smoking and drinking type of life, but now have a young baby who in a few years may ask me to play football…” That short intro isn’t even the half of it.

Pretty much my whole life I was a professional musician playing in a band, with a lifestyle that suited the scene. I gave myself diabetes. Insulin shots about 7 times a day. Smoking. Alcohol. Energy drinks. Finally after the birth of daughter 3, I gave it all up. Found a deep love for sitting down and eating rubbish food. β€œRetired” and selected a desk job in an office. (I kind of lived my life backwards.) My weight increased. Hitting 15 1/2 stone at my heaviest. But who cares right? I’m 5’ 9” so that’s technically in the very high BMI category! I became slow, sluggish, out of breath easily. My doctor prescribed statins due to various appalling blood test results. But I just ignored it. Forgot to take insulin. Kept eating badly and continued to drink to excess. Walking to the shop became hard work. Getting upstairs became hard work. Then my son was born a year ago. He’s late to the party. (My eldest daughter is 18!) And he’s like owning a terrier! He’s active. He’s naughty ( in a good way.) and he’s into everything! And I’m 40. Overweight. And shattered!

The running started. Week 1 run 1, I knew that I would never complete this program. 40 seconds of running made my lungs burn. My legs ached. I just could not do it.

I literally don’t know what made me carry on. But I did.

The last time I did anything remotely sporty was about 32 years ago.

And yet, here I am.

I started the program with a weight of 13st 6 on a good day. A stomach measurement of 41”. And a deep hatred for over exertion.

And yet, here I am.

Nine weeks on. I now weigh under 13st just about. My stomach has lost 4 inches. And I’m running for 30 minutes. I have also kept to a 1650 calorie diet, of whole foods and a 3 times a week weight training/ HIIT program!! I now take insulin only 2/3 times a day as required. I drink alcohol once in a blue moon, greasy food doesn’t agree with me, and I spend my rest days planning my next workout / run.

If it hasn’t been said enough before, this program works. And it’s changed my life. My doctor is now talking about taking me off statins!

I am now a runner.

Thanks to the program. The voice of Laura in my ears. The help, advice, assistance and support on this group.

Like my father told me β€œonce you pass your driving test, that’s when you really learn to drive.” So I know my graduation is just the beginning.

My advice, for what it’s worth… in no particular order…

We all felt the same when we started this.

No one thought they would succeed.

No one found it easy.

We all started for a reason.

Invest in proper shoes.

Dedicate regular running days.

Wear bright Lycra! It’s liberating!

Remember that you become invisible when you run.

Give yourself permission to have bad days.

Get some music on!

Read Iannodatruffe’s notes!

Enjoy it when you can. You won’t enjoy them all.

And finally, eat well, sleep well, hydrate well, listen to your body and rest, because that’s how muscle builds!

I will bask in the glory of my graduation for a brief moment now. I did it. I can run for 30 minutes. Go me! Today I completed the Couch to 5K. I actually totally did it! Nearly 5k, which is perfectly ok. I’m going to take the weekend off. Maybe even eat a little junk food. Because for once in my life, I’ve actually earned it.

Well done to everyone who takes that step to start. I know from the last 40 years, it really is the hardest thing to do. Keep going. Strive to be fitter. You can and will surprise yourself.

Don’t think that is the last from me, or that I’ll be signing off. I’m onto week 10. Let the consolidation begin.

Signed β€œThe artist formerly known as Davidnotarunner!”

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Davidnotarunner profile image
Davidnotarunner
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36 Replies
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Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate

Fantastic post David ! And huge congratulations for turning things around πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

This program literally changes lives !

You could of course now change your user name simply by changing the 't' to a 'w' ?

User names can be changed once !

Reply to my graduation badge post here then I can have the pleasure of pinning on your badge !

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Well done !

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to Instructor57

Thank you so much! This has been an amazing journey. When I’m in front of a computer rather than an app, I’ll come and get that badge! πŸ‘πŸ»

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate in reply to Davidnotarunner

I'll pin the badge on now !But when you can visit the badge post in the link it may give you a few ideas for post C25K running πŸ˜πŸ‘

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to Instructor57

I will do. Thank you again.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

You are like so many before you and no doubt many who will follow you...........a changed person, with a changed outlook on life, probably realising that all that cheesy stuff about exercise making you look better and feel better is actually all true.

As you say, we have all been there but you have the great advantage over those like me, who only discovered running aged 57.............I am envious, but also delighted at your epiphany and triumph..........

Many congratulations on your graduation, fellow runner.

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

After you collect your badge from Instructor57 pop over to the Consolidation Club healthunlocked.com/couchto5... to continue your journey.

Teejay113 profile image
Teejay113Graduate

Fantastic news Great job!! Your a WINNER AND WINNER NEVER QUIT. PEACE πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈπŸŒŸπŸŒŸ

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to Teejay113

Thank you so much!

RunDone profile image
RunDoneGraduate

Awesome - congratulations!

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to RunDone

Thank you!

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

A very inspiring post from you Davidnot(w)arunner, congratulations on completing run 3 of week 9 and graduating from C25K, to get your graduation badge and the word GRADUATE πŸŽ“ next to your username follow the link of Instructor57.

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to AlMorr

Thanks Almorr. Appreciated all your help too. πŸ‘πŸ»

Frenc profile image
FrencGraduate

That is just amazing Davidissoarunner! You’ve come a long way and you ought to be really, really proud of yourself. Well done πŸ†πŸ†πŸ†πŸ†πŸ†.

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to Frenc

Thank you so much! πŸ†πŸ‘πŸ»

MaCherie112 profile image
MaCherie112Graduate

🀣πŸ₯³πŸ₯³πŸ₯³πŸ₯³ I love this post so so so much!!!!! The love for your son which is spilling over from this post led to a greater self love and self discovery not only have you improved your health and life and sharpened the mental discipline it took to get there but now you can be fully present for your loved ones and hopefully around a whole lot longer to inspire them as you have me with this post!!!! Here’s to consolidation! Best of luck and keep us updated!!!! πŸ€πŸ€πŸ€πŸ₯³

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to MaCherie112

Thank you MaCherie. Just goes to show, we really can do anything. You keep up the good work too. We’ll keep each other updated!! πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ˜Š

MaCherie112 profile image
MaCherie112Graduate in reply to Davidnotarunner

This is exactly it!!! πŸ’«

Poppdog profile image
PoppdogGraduate

What a beautiful from the heart story of your journey. It gives us all such inspiration. The only advice I’m a bit dubious of is the bright Lycra, but I might give it a go. Your kids will be so proud of you. Congratulations on your graduation and pleas keep running and posting

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to Poppdog

Get that Lycra on Poppdog! Haha. Thank you for your kindness too. And keep up the good work!

DylanTheRabbit profile image
DylanTheRabbitGraduate

Well done! Great post. And I agree with all the tips, especially the one about bright lycra 😁

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to DylanTheRabbit

Haha! Thank you. It has been so great being part of this group. And Lycra definitely helps!!

Runnin-g profile image
Runnin-gGraduate

Wow, well done! Loved reading your post & look forward to hearing about more of your journey.

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to Runnin-g

Thank you. Can’t wait to get started on the next stage!

Never_too_old profile image
Never_too_oldGraduate

Never doubted you'd do it, huge congratulations! Fabulous post to look back on in years to come. My fave saying 'im too old for this shizzle', hence the name! But we were wrong, so very wrong! Good luck with your consolidation runs and looking forward to hearing about your journey.

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to Never_too_old

Thank you so much. It’s definitely a life change! πŸ˜ŠπŸ†

Chillipeppers1 profile image
Chillipeppers1

What an incredible post! And an amazing turn around in your health and lifestyle Warmest congratulations, you’ll be running after your little son with ease now πŸ˜€ big up Davidnotarunner πŸ‘

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to Chillipeppers1

Thanks Chillipeppers! I’m starting to catch up with him now! Haha.

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate

Fantastic! I love β€œrunning makes you invisible”! πŸ˜„ Just perfect. πŸŽ‰ Your daughters will be just as delighted as your son that Dadisnowarunner. πŸ‘πŸΌπŸŽ‰ <drum roll> πŸƒπŸ»β€β™‚οΈπŸ’₯πŸ’«β­οΈ

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to Granspeed

Thank you. It’s really true. My daughters can’t quite believe it… although they are not fans of the Lycra! But what do they know! Haha.

Sh53202 profile image
Sh53202Graduate

Congratulations. I just loved your post! What did you play in your band?

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to Sh53202

Thank you. I was the vocalist and guitarist. Typical β€œthought I was a rock star!”

Runninggirl59 profile image
Runninggirl59Graduate

Great post and all so true. This programme does change lives and how glad are we that we have found it. Well done and good luck with consolidation πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to Runninggirl59

Thank you. Such an experience and one that starts us all on a different path.

Crolla profile image
Crolla

Well done! What a great affirmative post. And I'm so pleased to read about the medical benefits and how good you're feeling.

Also, totally agree on the bright lycra. My daughter gave me some floral leggings she didn't 'dare' wear, but I love them especially teamed up with my bright orange tee shirt.

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to Crolla

Sounds like a perfect mix! I’ve got a fluorescent jacket now too! Matches the yellow go-fast stripe! Haha. Thank you. 😊

00marks profile image
00marksGraduate

Congratulations for completing C25K

Davidnotarunner profile image
DavidnotarunnerGraduate in reply to 00marks

Thank you 😊

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