A reset, return of a lapsed runner.

[Jericho2332]

Well! Not something I though I'd be doing but here I am in 2024 restarting couch to 5k!

A bit of background first, I first discovered c25k in lockdown 1, like a lot of the country I thought I'd try to get fit with all of the free time and quiet streets. I couldn't run at all and the though of running 5k seemed impossible to me. However I stuck to the plan and remember graduation was one of my happiest feelings, couldn't get the smile off my face! I also discovered I really enjoyed running, I'd wake up early thinking of new routes to take, the fear I had felt at first when jogging around empty allotment areas to avoid being seen had gone, I no longer cared what people thought and started running where I wanted to. Busy streets and roads,parks and even parkruns with 100s of other people. My distances got further and my times faster, my fitness improved massively and more importantly my mental health improved massively. 7k, 10k,15k the distances grew all the way up to my furthest run of half marathon distance! I was giving real thought to marathon training. I kept up my running for 2 years before life sorted of got in the way, a change of career left me working away a lot, long hours traveling around the UK for jobs led to me missing more and more runs until they petered out fully. I'd try to get back into it in spurts but it never stuck. I got fatter and lost my fitness and got frustrated that I couldn't run 5k in under 26 mins any more, in fact I could barely do it at all, everything hurt so had to miss days...the frustration and the pain combined with the busy schedule I just gave up on running. The kit went into a box in the shed when we moved house and didn't come back out, that was over a year ago.

I've become a grandparent for the first time in that period, holding that little one reminded me of why I wanted to get fit, lose some weight and sort my head out in the first place... So I could be around in my children's and now my grandkids future.

That brings me to last week when looking at my overly wobbly body 😂 and looking through my runs and times on Strava, I remembered that feeling id got completing c2k5 for the first time. How good all my running achievements had felt, how much help and support I'd got from the good folk on this very forum.

The decision was made, I was going to start again!

The box came out of the shed, the app redownloaded, fitness tracker charged and updated. It was time to run!

Il be honest I thought it would be easy, it wasn't! Week one was much tougher than I thought, the realisation of just how unfit I'd become was jarring. Felt good to be back out though.

I've just started week 2 and completed the first run, as I ran I made the decision to come back to the place is gotten so much support and advice before, here... Reading people's story's on here always inspired me to get out and run, even when I didn't want to.

A long way of saying I'm back I suppose! Hopefully there's still familiar names around to catch up on and I look forward to reading some new running storys as a restart my own.

Jericho2332/Dave

Happy running!

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏 wow!!!!!! 🤩 Welcome Back!!!!! Yes you are indeed a runner!!! Already into week 2 means you are seriously back on track 🙌 Congratulations on the grandkids & wonderful that family is inspiring you back into this amazing program & our fab forum. Many, many of us for one reason or another have started from scratch again & enjoy ☺️ it all the more. It’s not an HM or a race so enjoy taking it slowly as you build up fitness and stamina. Let us know how you are doing because you too will encourage many of us! It’s SO good to have you back!! Well done!!! 👍

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you Annie!

[LauraRuns Graduate]

Welcome back Jericho! I recognise your name from when I graduated back in October 2020. I have also dropped off with my running and have been meaning to get back to it. Maybe I’ll join you with restarting c25k!!

Hope the rest of week 2 goes well for you!

Laura

[Annieapple Graduate in reply to LauraRuns]

🍏👏 LauraRuns Welcome back to you too!! Good to have you and Jericho encouraging all those wannabe runners & returners! Yeah 👍

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to LauraRuns]

Thanks Laura, I'm really enjoying it, hopefully you can give it a go too 👍🏻

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Good post from you Jericho2332, I remember you from back in 2020, I am still here and still running, I ran my 119th parkrun on Saturday, I am very glad that you are back on this forum after a short break, onwards and upwards for you Dave, happy running. 😊 🏃🏾

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank Al! Great to see you are still getting out there. That's an amazing Parkrun record, hopefully il be up to running another one before too long 🤞🏻

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Jericho2332]

I do have a 25 purple T Shirt for running 25 parkruns, also got a red T Shirt for running 50 parkruns and a black T Shirt for running 100 parkruns, the next T Shirt is for running 250 parkruns but not sure about that.

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Your amazing Al, wouldn't surprise me to see you with a 250 shirt! Keep it up your an inspiration 👍🏻

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Jericho2332]

For me to get my 250 parkrun T Shirt I would have to go to a parkrun every week for the next two and a half years, to qualify that means running, tailwalker or parkwalker as well, however, being a marshall wouldn't count.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

I am still here, still slow and steady and WELCOME BACK!

Loads of us have repeated, and many of us more than once, for whatever reason...including me!

Gently as you go and we will be here, every step of the way ! x

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Floss! Great to see you! There's nothing wrong with slow and steady, still lapping everybody who's sat on there sofas 👍🏻

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Jericho2332]

So right...! Aren't we just!

[Catho78 Graduate]

Welcome back! I remember your posts, I graduated the first time in 2020 also. I started C25K again in January this year (life and injuries got in the way) and have just completed 10 miles after 6 months whilst training for a half marathon. Slow and steady but you don’t forget what you’ve learnt about running, pacing and fuel etc. this community is so supportive, they make up my strava friends and are the best. Good for you for starting again, and remembering why you liked running. Like you I started to get fit/loose weight. I keep running to feel strong physically and mentally. Good luck with C25K, you got this 🤗

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to Catho78]

Thank you! Back up to 10 miles in 6 months is very impressive, well done. Half marathon will happen for you soon I'm sure 👍🏻 I havnt been on my Strava for ages il have to get it back set up but pretty sure it will be still mostly the good folk of this forum 😂.

I agree with the mental strength running gives, it helped me so much.

I'm really looking forward to next run, I'm laid here trying to remember my Strava and Garmin details😂😂 We drove down to Wales this morning for work (5 hour drive 🤢) but I've packed my kit 😂 I'm thinking il have a little blast around Oswestry in the morning before heading to job.

[Catho78 Graduate in reply to Jericho2332]

Thanks, I had the same problem with my garmin, I was like “why won’t it sync?” I’d changed my phone so it had never been connected lol 😂

Enjoy your run

[linda9389 Graduate]

Welcome back! You've definitely the hardest part by restarting and finishing week 1. I've lost count how many times I've restarted, but it has worked every time.Forget where you were at for now. Those barriers can be broken at a later time. Right now, focus on what a great thing you're doing, slow down and focus on how good it is to be running again. Enjoy.

[Jericho2332 Graduate]

Thanks Linda, great to see so many familiar faces and receive such positive vibes and good advice.

Just noticed I really must update my picture! I'm a slightly hairier more cuddly model these days 😂😂.

Woke up and felt a little tight in the muscles this morning so figured I'd put off week 2 run 2 until tomorrow morning in Birmingham or Thursday when I'm back on home turf, no point pushing it and injuring myself again 😂 6 days off when I get home so il likely get to end of week 3 in that time.

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to Jericho2332]

This actually turned into a bit of a lie 😂 I came to work and found I'd done most of it yesterday so asked my mate if I could nip off for half an hour, il post a photo of my office today and you will understand why...

So I unpacked my suitcase and got changed (sorry sheep!) fired up some tunes, today's choice the mighty The Last Dinner Party, an album I've been meaning to give a listen to since hearing there excellent song Sinner.

Week 2 run 2 happened! Not sure I was 100% ready for off roading AND lots of hills but I got there without damaging anything😂 il be honest I was short of breath and the uphill sections were awful but I really felt good to complete it 😁😁

Drink of water, change of clothes and then be off in the van to Birmingham.

Happy running!

My office today

[Fionamags Graduate]

That was a great post Jericho. Welcome back! You are in good company on the comeback gang - there are a lot of us who repeat - including myself (fairly recently too). You will be reclaiming the joy of W5R3 before you know it! I would wish you luck, but I don't think you'll need it. Keep posting!

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

Thank you! I kind of felt it would just be me who had lapsed but appears there's quite a few of us in the same boat. Wether I can recapture past form I'm unsure but I do know I'm going to enjoy trying 😁 il certainly keep posting, it keeps me on track and lets me ramble on to like minded people instead of boring the family to death with running stats when they have zero interest in them 😂😂😂

[Fionamags Graduate in reply to Jericho2332]

Oh so you aren't a C25K evangelist then? I had to pack that in as family were starting to eye roll every time I started. 😂😂😂😂

[Packrunner Graduate]

YES JERICHO!!!

You can do it! You’ve done it before and you can totally do it now. Happy running.

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to Packrunner]

Thank you Packrunner, my mind is willing let's hope the body follows 😂💪🏻👍🏻

[Madwife60 Graduate]

welcome back. I’m quite a bit older than you and started all this malarkey when I hit 60 and realised if I didn’t do something I would be doomed to a very miserable retirement and making 70 was at best optimistic. I truly thought I’d die for the first 3 weeks and only went out in the dark so nobody could see me puffing along (pretty stupid in hindsight if I had keeled over). However I kept going and I’m still going 6 years later. I’m not sure I’m much faster but I am very happy I can actually run for 30-40 minutes three times a week. I’ve given up worrying about times and distances and I’m pretty sure I’ll never run 5k in 30 mins (my PB is around 40) I just enjoy being alive in the fresh air. I’ve also realised the older you get the more invisible you become so trot along the cliff top or the park enjoying the ride and couldn’t care less who sees me. My only regret is that I didn’t do all this 25 years ago. Good luck and keep on going

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to Madwife60]

Madwife the fact that you started at 60 and have been able to keep it up for 6 years is a great achievement, 3 runs a week is probably bang on what most people should be aiming for 👍🏻 I remember my first few months only running at 5am in the dark so nobody could see me, once you realise that nobody really cares what your doing, it's pretty liberating! I also wish I'd found running a lot younger, I try to get my kids to come along but they won't have it, happy sat in front of there devices! I know if I could get them out a few times they would get the bug but no success so far.

Keep up the brilliant work and happy running!

[Mormor1 in reply to Madwife60]

I enjoyed your post Madwife60. It resonates with my start to running at 69....now 73 and still trying to get out there a couple of times a week. I've noticed it has got a bit harder to maintain the same motivation and I do Jeff a bit now which I would have considered a failure on my part if I'd done it to start with. Now.. I'm just glad and proud that I will still run even if I'm feeling a bit tired. I never regret the runs I've done,only the ones I haven't. this has to be the right way forward.

[Folkylass Graduate]

Ahh there you are ! It’s so good to see you Jericho2332 and yes I do remember you . Well long time no see😂😂. Welcome back ! I’m so pleased you are back into your running again and yes life can get in the way however once your mindset changes along with what really is important to you and clearly that’s your family you can always succeed. How wonderful it is that you are making a positive change and I look forward to reading more of your brilliant posts…..oh and don’t leave it too long next time please 😂😂😂👏👏👍👍🙋‍♀️

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to Folkylass]

Thank you Folkylass, fear not my rambling posts have returned with my urge to run 😂😂 it's great to see so many folk from my first time being a runner are still here and keeping up the running and nice that I'm remembered! Not sure if that's for the running or the excessively long posts I am sometimes guilty of 😂😂 il take either!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Welcome back, you'll soon regain your fitness

[Jericho2332 Graduate]

Thank you Sue, I hope so as today was a struggle! 😂 A weirdly enjoyable struggle but a struggle non the less 😂

[IgaT Graduate]

Welcome back! I am re-starting my C25K from week 1 this week. So see you around here.Enjoy the feeling of getting better and better with every run! Slow and steady! You know the drill

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to IgaT]

Thank you! And good luck with the restart! I'm really enjoying it so far.

[Phdgranny Graduate]

Hi Jericho, well done for re starting, I remember you from my early days on here. I completed the first time just as the first lockdown started. I was 63 then and had never been a runner but persevered up to 10k (much slower than you! It took me almost 80 minutes but I did it) I succumbed to COVID in September 2022, then developed long COVID, Finally, in April this year I was weaned off steroids for my lungs and agreed with my doctor that I should restart C25k, taking it very slowly (don’t think he realises how slow I am at the best of times!) then, 3 weeks ago, I got Covid again but thankfully it didn’t linger this time and yesterday I re-did W1R1 and it was hard but I survived, so let’s both stick to this time!!

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to Phdgranny]

Oh my you've had an awful time with COVID!really terrible stuff, it's amazing that your doing all this again, I had no real reason to quit just got complacent and lazy 🤦🏻‍♂️

Take it steady and I'm sure you will get through c25k again. I take my hat off to you for doing it after all you have been through.

[Phdgranny Graduate]

Thank you, mine off to you too, life just gets in the way sometimes

[Cassie_7 Graduate]

Brilliant! It will get easier, taking it slow and steady is the answer, very well done for getting back into it! 👏👏❤️❤️

[Jericho2332 Graduate in reply to Cassie_7]

Thank you Cassie, enjoying it so far 👍🏻