A year on!

[Yesletsgo]

My Facebook 'memories' popped up today with a photo of me with a big fat grin on my big fat red face, it's a year since I graduated C25K.

Here is some of what I've learned since then.

1. This running lark is addictive and can be all consuming.

2. I never realised I could enjoy physical activity until I did this.

3. There is a lot more to running than just putting one foot in front of the other quickly.

4. A 30 minute 5k is beyond a lot of us but...

5. ...there are other goals and the important thing is to find one that is meaningful to you.

6. 5k in 30 minutes is just a snappy title for the programme, not a realistic aspiration for many of us, at least not within 9 weeks.

7. If you have a twinge that bothers you don't ignore it.

8. If everyone on here says 'rest' it's probably good advice.

9. Finishing the C25K is the end of the beginning, not the end (unless you choose to stop there).

10. Don't compare yourself and your results to other people. There is always someone fitter, less fit, faster, slower or whatever than you. Focus on yourself and what you've achieved. Whether you're on week 1 and have just managed that first impossible and excruciating minute of running, or have graduated C25K, maybe you managed 5k, maybe you didn't but you DID run for 30 minutes, or whether you've progressed to longer distances and regular runs just for the sheer fun of it look at what YOU'VE achieved.

You are brilliant!! (and I've still got that big fat red faced grin )

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

This is such a great and positive post and I agree with everything you’ve said. I started c25k as a New Year’s resolution and six months later I’ve just run in a local 10K that I’ve wanted to do for years. I really wish I’d started sooner. Well done on all your achievements.

I’d add:

Don’t be afraid to take extra rest days or do it at a slower pace than three runs a week if that works better for you. There’s no rush. It’s just a helpful guide.

Even if you think you’re running slowly and at a totally comfortable pace, you probably aren’t! I only learned this one after graduating and increasing distances.

Don’t avoid hills. They’re great for building fitness and the sooner you get used to them the better. It opens up a whole range of different routes when you’re not just looking for flat.

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks and you make good points especialy about going slowly and taking it easy! I could have added so much more but I got to 10 and decided to quit while I was ahead

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to Yesletsgo]

Quitting while ahead is a good strategy!

Your comment about having lots to say about running had reminded me of my most important observation…

If your partner does not run, they will very quickly become bored of you banging on about the minute details of every run, which trainers you want to buy next, which races look exciting, taking two seconds off a PB etc etc etc so it is good to find an alternative outlet for all of this! Aka this forum!

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to MissUnderstanding]

ABSOLUTELY!!!! Even though my other half runs with me and generally takes an interest his eyes can sometimes glaze over....but the people on this forum are way too polite.As for telling him what I'm going to buy next, I never ever bought myself anything techie until I started running, he's the gadget expert. Since then I got myself a Garmin watch and worked out how to use it single handed. I've got bone conducting headphones too. When he finally gave in and got the running watch guess who was the one giving the good advice? 😂😂😂

I've come a long way!!

[Week7 Graduate]

This is post and the replies are a perfect summary of all the things I learnt during C25k. Such a brilliant recommendation for those just starting their journey. I started in the first lockdown and am still plodding along .

The only thing that I would add that some days the runs will feel wonderful, sometimes they will feel much harder, but they all count and are just part of being "a runner"!

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to Week7]

And we are all runners, aren't we? C25K gives us permission to use this description which is such a surprise after all those years of being a slob (speaking purely for myself of course )

[Week7 Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Yep, definitely runners!!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

That big red faced grin comes back with me from every run, you’ve put it so well

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to SueAppleRun]

Happy faces all round 😜

[david_now]

Great post, Having graduated 9 months ago I agree with everything you wrote, in particular that it is addictive and you shouldn't compare yourself with others only with your previous self 😉

[david_now in reply to david_now]

Oh and two things I would add

Join a local club or group of runners, it is so much easier to get up and go when you are committed to meeting others at a given time.

The benefits are not just physical, I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling much better in myself.

[Birra1 Graduate]

What a lovely post, so positive. I'm on week 9 and compare myself to the hare and tortoise. Obviously I am the tortoise, who however is the winner in the end 🙂

My other half isn't interested in running and rolled his eyes when a pair of light wrist weights arrived to wear when I am on my rest days. I go walking and I am always out very early, so can do my arm strengthening exercises whilst walking .

And yes, I am boring everyone around me having to tell everyone how wonderful each run is, even if I found it hard going. I am also part of the tomato face gang 🤩

I just hope I will be writing such posts as yours in a year's time.

Happy running to all!!!!

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to Birra1]

We are a bunch of happy 🍅🍅🍅 though aren't we. By the way, tortoises rule

[Brixcos Graduate]

Fabulous post! 👏💕

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to Brixcos]

Thank you

[Nochicken Graduate]

Oh dear, I was hoping that the big red face would eventually fade!

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to Nochicken]

It does, but only until the next run 😂 Of course you can always try running when it's cold, a lot less redness then if you judge it correctly.

[WhaleSongC Graduate]

I love point 5

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to WhaleSongC]

Thank you, as Nike's Coach Bennett says, it's about running and it's not about running

[sparky66 Graduate]

Fabulous post 😊I just posted something similar to encourage new peeps on our amazing forum , didn't say it as well as you 🤗

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to sparky66]

Thank you 😊