At what stage did you or will you call yourself a runner?

[Iwishicouldrun]

currently on week 8/9 no way near 5k but when I was uncontrollably out of breath of week 1 I never thought I’d get here. At what point would you class yourself a runner? I feel like im still trying to be a runner? Wondering do we ever actually sit down and say wow im a runner? Let me know when you thought you was one!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on almost completing C25K, once you have completed run 3 of week 6 your coach tells you that you are officially a runner, not long now until you graduate.

[Iwishicouldrun in reply to AlMorr]

thank you! Just completed week 8 run 2 so super close now! I think as I still feel like it’s hard I feel like I’m not there as a runner yet but when it’s not hard we would move the goal post anyway haha! Can’t win

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well many of us believe that, we became runners, the first time we took a non walking step!

I like that idea You runner you ! x

[Iwishicouldrun in reply to Oldfloss]

Oo I like that idea! I think I’ll feel it when I don’t look red like a lobster and sound like a horse when breathing haha one day! X

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Iwishicouldrun]

It will come and, you really are a runner! x

[Folkylass Administrator Graduate]

You became a runner when you decided to embark on C25K didn’t you ?……of course you did. Enjoy your journey ……it’s a great one 👍👏👏🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Iwishicouldrun in reply to Folkylass]

maybe I did and didn’t realise! 😂 Thinks it’s because I still find it hard I don’t feel like I’m at ease with it yet like a ‘runner’ should but hey maybe it’s about time I call myself one!

[Folkylass Administrator Graduate]

You know we all felt like that when we started and how do we know how it feels to be a runner? We’re all different.

After running in the army years ago and then not running for years after I actually got back into it and decided one day to get out the door and go for a run. So I did and that was horrendous, my hubby thought each time I came back that it was a struggle.

In reality I just started too fast each time and didn’t get anywhere as I was knackered, out of breath ,etc. so I needed some structure to my running that’s when I found out about C25K…. and I’ve never looked back as they say . So I would say that when I decided to start the C25K that was when I became a runner and with structure and running as often as I can I’m still running.

So you’re doing fine. Just stick to the programme, don’t over think it ,make sure to hydrate especially in this weather and most of all enjoy……oh and don’t forget your one of us now a runner yippee 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️x😀😀

[Gthants in reply to Folkylass]

This should be a post in itself! 🙌

[Folkylass Administrator Graduate in reply to Gthants]

Thanks !😂😂

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

It sneaks up on you! I first felt it when I was out for a run and suddenly realised I was singing along to my podcast (in my head!) and enjoying the scenery rather than thinking about the mechanics of my running. I think we all get imposter syndrome sometimes. I’ve run a couple of half marathons and I still sometimes think I’m not a real runner because my weekly miles are too low, or I’m too slow or whatever. We can tell ourselves that anyone who runs is a real runner. The most brilliant thing about the running continuity is how diverse we can be with what running means to us and how we enjoy it in our own way. .

You are a runner and you have been for a while now! Your head will soon catch up to what your body can do.

[Iwishicouldrun in reply to MissUnderstanding]

imposter syndrome sums this up perfectly for me I think! I’m looking forward to the run where I’m not praying for the trainer I my ear saying I can stop now haha!

[nowster Graduate]

You're a runner when you believe you are.

[Jools2020 Graduate]

I think I started to think of myself as a real runner when I did Week 5 Run 3. I thought that was real running! 20 minutes running was beyond my expectation and, I thought, my ability.

And don’t be concerned about your pace. I’ll never do 5K in 30 minutes. I can’t often do 4K in 30 minutes, either 🤣. It doesn’t stop me being a runner 😊

[Iwishicouldrun in reply to Jools2020]

week 5 and 6 I think where the killer runs for me! I felt so out of breath and couldn’t get into the swing of it, I think I repeated a couple in those weeks as I couldn’t finish but I felt so good to tick them off once done! Yeah I can never see me being a 5k runner inside of 30mins but I’m not too fussed about that! My more realistic goal is about 45 mins of running without dying haha!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Iwishicouldrun]

You could slow down a bit? Or slow down some more? If you’re getting so out of breath that you can’t have a conversation, then you might be running too fast. I remember when I ran for 60 minutes for the first time (I built up to it of course). I ran so slowly that I actually wasn’t out of breath at all!

[LadyGault Graduate]

When somebody says they saw you out "jogging" and you want to correct them you'll know that you do consider yourself a runner 😉

[Gthants in reply to LadyGault]

Yes!! Jogging is 80s/90s. Shoulder pads. Mrs T. It's "there, there". It's diminishing the achievement!

[Iwishicouldrun in reply to LadyGault]

haha I would not like that either!

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

I felt like a runner when I stopped making myself go out and run and started wanting to go out and run. I’m still thrilled to think of myself as a runner 😁

[Gthants in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Ooooh - I like this! 😍 I loved most of the first 3/4 of the programme, but then it became something that was doing me good, making me better, but that I HAD to do. My second post-graduating run yesterday was still kind of a duty, but I enjoyed it. THAT'S the feeling I want.

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

it didn’t happen overnight, perhaps about 6 months later when 5k became comfortable and became a regular twice weekly part of my week. I’ve run longer distances since but plodding around a 5k is still my happy place 😊

[Iwishicouldrun in reply to Frizzbomb67]

I think that’s maybe where it will kick in for me, when the programme ends and I’m still doing it off my own back as it’s something I enjoy!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

hi Iwishicouldrun …do you run? If the answer is yes, then you are a runner!!! Doesn’t matter whether it’s 1k, 2k, 5k or 10k…you are a runner..and you should be very proud of your progress so far

[Irishrunner]

I’ve been running for over 40 years now. Back in the 1980’s some elite runners started a debate about whether joggers were really runners. By their standards I was a jogger, but I have always considered myself a runner. Recently I picked up a bad running injury which meant I was not able to exercise for several months, but eventually I did a version of couch to 5K and have got back to running very slowly and have been injury free for over a year. Even though I am running ever so slowly, I consider myself a runner because I am moving faster than I would if I were walking and I believe I am a runner.

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate]

haha interesting question and I remember asking the very same question when I did the C25K (that was 3 years ago May just gone), I was never quite sure at what stage I became a runner as opposed to a jogger, but....... I was out a couple of sundays' ago on my long run and someone said 'lovely day, enjoy your jog'! I have to say, I nearly turned round to say' If you don't mind Im a runner not a jogger' I was actually felt quite insulted, so I definately now class myself as a runner!!😂😂🏃‍♀️

[Dancerunner]

I was wondering the same thing! I felt like a 'runner' when I did Run 3 of Week 5 cos it was the first long run, but I think that I'll feel like a proper runner when I've run a continuous 5k. Thought I suppose that if you run you're a runner so we're all really runners from day 1!