A year after C25K- some learnings...

[limu_mu]

It's been a year since I graduated from couch to 5k on 26th Dec 2021.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Here are some things have learned along the way. Sadly, I don t get to post a lot, but I hope you may find this useful for your journey.

-----LEARNINGS------

Consistency is key 👌🔑

The most important lesson for me has been consistency and gratitude.

I was very keen to do a 10k race this year but that didn't happen; I got injured and demotivated along the way, which made me stop running for a while; I had to change my focus, start again and let go of expectations, hard lesson 😖 but changed my outlook in a healthy way. 😊🙌

Everything is Lycra 👨🏽‍🎤

On that note, so much lycra… half my wardrobe is now running gear. Weight loss, trends, desire- I spent a lot on lycra! There are some (expensive) brands I would never touch again…and the lesson here is don’t buy labels buy support- and what makes you feel like the best runner. 🏃🏿‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️

Tip: Don't tumble dry lycra and use a cold wash to make it last longer. 🙌

Better Shoes

Had another borderline gait analysis, which introduced Saucony Guide to my life.

I'm still a neutral runner, but the gait showed I would benefit from light stability not because I strike but because I look like I do, and it's probable I sometimes do. Was sceptical but had nothing to lose. A few months down the line don't have the same injuries. The Guide 14 is an everyday trainer- no fireworks or surprises.

Give Back

I volunteer at running events and have met loads of awesome runners.

What I still have to do:

1.Run with others ...😄

2.Run park run..........😁

3.Run longer...............😆

4.Run better...............😅

---LIFE----- --☔️⚡️

1. Lost 15 kg......I have a healthy BMI (🙂)

2. I moved cities and changed jobs.

3.My 5k is a few mins faster than when I graduated.

Life changes have impacted my running- both negatively and positively. Sadly, the longer millage is near impossible, so I incorporated walking as a form of 'commuting' around the big city. Am hoping this will change in 2022

Ebb and flow.

To conclude, running is a transformational journey, and I hope it will be for you. Its beauty is inconsistency and gratitude, don't beat yourself up, tomorrow is a new day.

🙌🙌❤️❤️❤️

Best of luck.

Xx

[Hidden]

What a brilliantly documented journey whilst clad in lycra limu_mu positives plentiful happy 2022 running 🥳

[limu_mu Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Hidden , I did indeed join the lycra club! Thanks for always being an ally! 🙌

[Week7 Graduate]

A brilliant post.Says it all!

[limu_mu Graduate in reply to Week7]

😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Keep running, keep smiling.

[limu_mu Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you IannodaTruffe and also for cheering me on over the year. 🙌🙌

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Thatsagreat post about running, learning and changing. well done

[limu_mu Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you SueAppleRun and for sharing your adventures to inspire us all. 🙌😊

[JMMi Graduate]

Inspiring well done 👍

[Newbie59 Graduate]

What a wonderful post, it sums up everything many of us go through

I started in April 2020 and eventually got very good at running a 5k in around 36 minutes or so. After a year I tried to push myself faster and further and got injured. Since then, I've had rest periods and re-started C25k twice, each time getting up to week 5 run 2 (I've not managed the 20 minute run). Ready to start again from the beginning, any time soon ...

[limu_mu Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

there is always week 5 run 2.1, week 5 run 2.2.....etc I did repeat a few runs of the training plan when I did it, sometimes it was due to running too fast or not managing to run 20 min non-stop. 😉

[Over60sRunner Graduate]

Thank you limu_mu A great post, and one I think many, myself included, can relate to. My mojo has been waxing and waning recently, but I got back on it again this morning, didn't expect too much, and enjoyed what I did without feeling I had to chastise myself for not doing more/better which is a first for me.

In the infamous words of IannodaTruffe - keep running, keep smiling 😀

[limu_mu Graduate in reply to Over60sRunner]

Well done Over60sRunner !!! One day at a time and glad you enjoyed it without any expectations. 😊 Yes IannodaTruffe words deserve a fridge magnet/ sticker/screensaver.