It's my 1st Runnerversary! 🥳🥂🏃‍♀️

[Sax64]

A year ago today I started C25K and now I can run 10k, phew what a journey it's been with highs and lows. I did a long run recently with Coach Bennett on the Nike Run Club app and he was asking me how I got into running in the first place. 'Did you judge running?' (Oh yes) 'Were you scared of running?' (Definitely) 'Or did you fall in love with running from the very start?' (What????) So that sent me down a veritable rabbit hole of thoughts. I'd always been active, loved cycling and hiking, but running? It was always too exhausting plus I always got injured, then along came C25K. Now I started off great, or so I thought, the early weeks flew by with my latent fitness helping me through. Then the tougher later weeks showed that I hadn't been the ardent student that I'd convinced myself that I was. I got injured, in week 9, nooooo....Same place as always, left ankle/calf. The HU community came to my rescue. The unwavering support , advice, links to strength and flex and kindly words kept me going through my weeks of recovery. So when I did come back I was stronger mentally and physically. In a way, I'm glad it happened. Why? I learnt to be kind to myself, I learnt to slow down and slow down some more, I learnt that runs can wait should I need that extra rest day or two, well just tuning in and listening to my running body. So do I love running now? Hey yes, I'm really disappointed if I can't run when I'd planned to. And so after C25K, I went on to extend my running to 60 minutes and then 10k. Garmin is so pleased with me, my V02 max is in the superior range and apparently my fitness age is a ridiculous 24 (I'm mid 60s). So if you're doing C25K, well done, give yourself a huge pat on the back, whatever your background or story, the programme works, just take the time you need and you will succeed. Right where's the cake? 🎂 🧁🍰

[StartedOnARainyDay]

well done!! Inspiring to read your story! I’m on my 2nd run!

[Sax64 Graduate in reply to StartedOnARainyDay]

Thank you, and well done to you too. You've done the hardest bit mentally, you've not only started but continued to the next run too. Happy running 🏃‍♀️ ☺️

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

Congratulations on the anniversary!

Very impressed with your VO2, the most I've knocked off my age (similar to yours) was about 20 years!!

Keep on running!! 🏃‍♀️💨

[nowster Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

It depends on the model of the watch. Some will drop as low as 21, others will only knock a maximum of 9 years off your current age.

[Sax64 Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thanks. I take the fitness age with a big pinch of salt. There's no way I'm a fit as a 24 year old, maybe it refers to heart health or something like that.

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏@Sax64 Congratulations on your Runnerversary!!! We are delighted to hear your story & it will encourage many runners that’s for sure!! Enjoy that cake!! 🍰 You deserve every mouthful! 🥳👏🤩

[Annikins1 Graduate]

This is so inspiring, Congratulations. Tomorrow is start of Week 6, bring it on.

[Sax64 Graduate in reply to Annikins1]

Thank you. Ah, week6, the business end of the programme. Take it slowly and well done for getting this far. 👏

[RedhillRunner Graduate]

Love this, I'm in the same boat, pretty much hated most forms of exercise for much of my life, then discovered running, I did the C25K three times over the last 5 years and kept stopping over the winter period. This year I have run right through and thoroughly enjoyed it. Something clicked this year and I've since done 10k, 15k and have recently signed up for a half. So fort those who have tried and failed.. try again, keep going and one day it will just click in!

[Sax64 Graduate]

That sounds brilliant, well done to you. I'm an outdoor runner and it does take commitment to run through the winter. It's torrential rain outside today, it's supposed to a run day, but the run will have to wait. Happy running 🏃‍♀️

[Kimmiesue6288]

Thank you for that great article! I'm just getting back into running since I've been out of the loop for better than a year. I love to run, I feel invigorated! I also am in my mid 60's and used to run marathons. I am going to give C25K a shot! Congrats to you and thank you again!!!

[Sax64 Graduate]

Thanks, it's good to hear. As a runner already, I'm sure you will go into the programme knowing that you can succeed. Just take it slowly, you're starting from scratch again and I think I would try and ignore any previous PBs and start with a clean slate. Good luck with your runs 🏃‍♀️

[RollingPea Graduate]

Happy Runnerversary!🍾🥂