Keep at it, you have so much to gain and celebrate and celebrations to come.

[Chinkoflight]

Newbie C25K 'ers challenged but amazed you have actually started this running journey. March 13 th 2022 I had a severe stroke with full right side loss, sight and speech loss as initial symptoms. Blue light and thrombolysis brought me back weak but functioning. Bottom left shows my first walk home on discharge from the hospital and catching a bus home! Top left, a month later I had found C25K from a British Heart Foundation link, this was week 1/1. Bottom right I finished 9/3 on holiday in June. Top right my first Saturday parkrun of 5Kms. Middle route my first 10km run completed today on the Isle of Wight.The carefully curated advice of the mentors, the depth of support from fellow beginning runners, the interesting opinions and approach to running of contributors has helped me through this journey but above all my own belief in the evidence that this is a programme that will work if you stick with it.

My profile, male 70 , non runner but walked and cycled a bit before my stroke, overweight , former asthmatic, bradycardia but no other underlying conditions.

If you need some motivation, not sure you can get beyond week 5/3 (!!!!) , need some grit hold on to this example of how good C25K is.

Keep running, keep smiling and stay focused the reward is transformative.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Total respect to you, you really have had a journey, and have gained so much 🙂

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

A real motivating post for all who are out there wondering if they can start this program & those who are struggling a little to keep on keeping on! Wow if you can beat all these odds by following the program anyone can. Thanks for the encouragement

[LottieMW Graduate]

Well done you! This is an amazing journey. Mr.L had a minor stroke January 2022…physically ok, but like you loss of vision on right…he also has trouble with memory and words, so have some idea of what you have overcome.

Certainly an inspirational story 👏🏼🌟

[Chinkoflight in reply to LottieMW]

Thank you, running has helped me manage the uncertainty and anxiety that persists. Not to be underestimated, for you and Mr L. As the great man said 'Keep running, keep smiling' or whatever engages you in exercising some control over your own situation.

[LottieMW Graduate in reply to Chinkoflight]

oh definitely anxiety and a lack of confidence…not helped by a seizure in the May, where he lost consciousness for around 15 minutes.

Sadly due to a major accident back in 1993 his walking is severely restricted…so we have to look elsewhere for some control. He doesn’t know it yet, but I have a plan to get him to our local Boating Lake when the weather improves 😉🤞🏼