My C25k Story (for those who have had to try more than once) 🏃‍♂️

[IRunning]

I’ve been a browser of posts and an infrequent commenter over the last couple of years, but never originated a post. But seeing a post earlier today inspired me to break my 🦆!! I also thought it may help people who are on their C25k journey and may hit a post summer bump.

I started C25k (Part 1) in 2021, being one of ‘those’ who decided to do something a bit more healthy during lockdowns and restrictions. I was a fair weather runner at first and only got to week 5 during that first summer spurt, it took me a lot longer than 5 weeks to get to week 5 as well so wondered if running was my thing.

After not running for almost 6 months and having regained all the weight and unhealthy habits I had previously discarded I decided in March 2022 to start again (incentivising myself with a new pair of trainers 😊).

Got all the way to week 7 by August (yes I realise that’s more than 7 weeks…!) and then suffered atrial fibrillation, which although not necessarily serious scared the bejesus out of me so I didn’t run for almost 6 months again as I was so anxious I’d get another attack.

In March 2023 I started C25k again, completed it and for ages kept running for 30 mins 3 times a week. Then I got the bug, I couldn’t not go for a run, 30mins became 40, 45, then 10k and just recently, with a bit of a struggle I’ve been hitting 10miles. HM is next…..

What I’m trying to say is, to those who have taken a bit longer than 9 weeks, stopped and wondered whether to start again then yes, you may not succeed first time, things will knock you off course, and you may, like me feel like you will never, never, ever run for 30mins!! I sometimes thought like that and I was wrong, but you sometimes have to prove yourself wrong to get there.

Good luck all, it really is worth it. And thank you to all the posts I read on this forum along the way which kept me going.

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

That's quite the journey! It's so easy to get discouraged in the early stages but well done you for keeping coming back. The bug must have bit you without you realising

Persistence is the thing.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Thank you for posting... I think our new runners will find this interesting! Many, many of us have completed C25K and then done bits or all of it again... more than once too.

Staying focused and taking it gently, is for many the key to success.

Maybe take a trio across to Fun Beyond 10K & Race Support, and share some of your running there... lots and lots of support for your first HM

[Trailslogg Graduate]

This is inspiring - thank you!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate]

Yes, we will be glad to see you IRunning. Lots of HM experience on Fun Beyond; most of us are a little bit loopy…running long distances makes you that way 😉

[IRunning in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks Beachcomber66. If someone had told me last summer my next goal would be a HM (although I need to get a bit more comfortable with the 10m distance) I wouldn’t have believed them. Now I’ve broken my posting duck on here hopefully I can find something to contribute to the Fun Beyond forum. 😊

[Beachcomber66 Graduate in reply to IRunning]

I ran my first HM about 12 months after completing C25k. It took me that long to decide to give it go! Look forward to hearing from you.👍

[Neverhare Graduate]

I love your post, really chimes with me. I graduated in June 2020 after starting in the first lockdown but had to stop after hitting snags in 2021, struggled with several re-starts in 2022, did nothing in 2023, then two months ago I made a firm decision to just do it, but go very slowly and carefully. So it took 4 weeks to get through week 5 with many repeats, but I finally ran the whole 20 minutes.

Anyone else struggling, just keep going, take it slowly and repeat those runs until you get there. You will 🙂