I did it! I actually graduated!

[AllSewnUp]

Hi runners! This morning I graduated. I can't quite believe it! If you are reading this at the beginning or in the middle of your journey - well done you and keep going. I believe in you! My story is meandering...so stick with me if you have time for a tale 😅

I first completed C25K in 2011ish. I loved it, kept going for a while, but got out of the habit, had a young family, restarted and got injured, enjoyed my cosy sofa too much...etc etc...

By January 2024, the most exercise I got was the 5 minute walk to and from my kids' school and a nightly shuffle with my aging miniature schnauzer. Then, my 10yo thrust a leaflet in my hand and said 'I want to do this, please'. It was a flyer for the Swimathon in April. Something clicked in my head and I said, 'let's do it together' before I could stop myself. I joined the local leisure centre pool and started swimming lengths 3 times a week. I'd set myself a 2.5km challenge (100 lengths of a 25m pool) which I just completed. My daughters topped up the mileage so between us we swam 3km! I had loved getting back to swimming, and was so proud of my achievement.

But...never one to do things by halves...I really wanted to get faster and more efficient. I took up swimming lessons. One of my teachers is an enthusiastic triathlete and said 'you should join the tri-club...you can definitely do a super sprint distance. Just get some running under your belt'. She had planted the seed. In July 2024 I redownloaded the C25K app again, bought Hiroaki Tanaka's book on Slow Jogging and watched aaaaaallllll the youtube vids, bought some new minimalist shoes, and off I went.

Now, I swim 3 times a week, I run (slow jog) 30 mins three times a week, I grunt less when I stand up from my still-cosy sofa and find myself scrolling through this forum (which has been invaluable - thank you SO MUCH for all you do), training plans and running or swimming events of an evening. I am still considering joining that tri-club. WHO IS THIS WOMAN?! I'll tell you...I'm a plus-size 38 year old runner and swimmer and I GRADUATED!!

What next? I'm going to switch from Sarah Millican to Jo Whiley and work through the Beyond C25K runs and finally actually run 5k. Then I'm Bridging to 10k and smashing my 2.5k time in the 2025 Swimathon. And maybe a triathlon in 2026 in time for my 40th birthday.

I'd love to hear other meandering stories of how you ended up here - please share if you want to. All the best to this fabulous community.

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏🙌🎶🎉 Congratulations on graduating again & for this wonderfully inspiring story! In spite of doing this twice you have never claimed a badge!!! Please do so & please come back with more posts as you journey onwards. Well done!!

⭐️ Claim your well earned badge here!

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[AllSewnUp Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thanks so much Annieapple ! After I wrote this I went straight to the graduation post to get my badge. Never too old to enjoy a badge or medal 😂😊🏅 x

[BarbieW Graduate]

Many congratulations AllSewnUp! That is so inspiring!

[AllSewnUp Graduate in reply to BarbieW]

Thanks so much BarbieW ! ❤️

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉 that's a great journey you've been on 😁

[AllSewnUp Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks very much SueAppleRun 🥰

[Week7 Graduate]

Congratulations!

[AllSewnUp Graduate in reply to Week7]

Thank you Week7 🥳

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

You found your own runs, your way, your own training, your way and all following on from the start of it all, with C25K in 2011 !

That medal is well overdue.... and well done... you did this, YOUR way

[AllSewnUp Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

You’re so right-taking ownership of my fitness and finding my way has been at the root of it all. Thanks Oldfloss ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to AllSewnUp]

That badge? it looks good on you! x

[Bestsie_07]

Well done a very inspirational story. I'm a return runner and on week 3 so still very early, but like you my determination will drive me 👍

[AllSewnUp Graduate in reply to Bestsie_07]

Welcome back Bestsie_07 ! Keep going, you know what’s ahead and that you can do it. Let us know how you get on ❤️

[drl212 Graduate]

Well done!

I remember asking a friend several years ago, "When did I become the person who grunts when sitting down or getting up from a sofa?"

LOLOL! Terrific accomplishments.

[AllSewnUp Graduate in reply to drl212]

I was mortified when I realised I was doing it 😂 definitely a milestone no one celebrates!! I’m glad I can celebrate this instead 🥳

[Hidden]

Congrats! I'm so inspired by your story. It's 4am and obviously I'm not sleeping. I'm gonna take your story as motivation to get out this house and get active. Thank you!

[AllSewnUp Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Go for it Hidden ! One small change can build into a bigger ones - I hope that happens for you too 🤗

PS-One positive side effect of increasing my exercise is I’m sleeping better 😴

[00marks Graduate]

Congratulations on completing C25K again!

[AllSewnUp Graduate in reply to 00marks]

00marks thank you so much

[Bruch1 Graduate]

Congratulations 🎊 Really well done! I had Sarah Millican for my C25K journey. She made it fun. Good luck with your consolidation runs now and onwards 🏃☺️

[AllSewnUp Graduate in reply to Bruch1]

Onwards and upwards! Thanks so much Bruch1

[VS1975 Graduate]

Great journey, well done & congrats at your badge. Can’t wait for more updates & goals smashed x

[GrandadM Graduate]

Not much meandering for me. Resting/couching (and working) until 66. Started C25K in May. Graduated. Best distance so far 7.3km. All at a leisurely 5mph.

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate in reply to GrandadM]

😮

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

❤️Great story. I don't meander in type, just in person, apparently.

I love the swimming\running combo, but my Swim-Fit class ended suddenly, no explanation, tried to keep the same times and swim lengths, but four big , fast swimmers took the only lane available, Swim Club took three lanes and the public section in the middle was just mental. Not swum since. Getting away in October and hope to get restarted then.

[AllSewnUp Graduate in reply to MrBassmanjazz]

I'm so sorry to hear that your local pool isn't making swimming accessible for all, MrBassmanjazz . I would have really struggled if my local only had a fast lane for swimmers. I really hope you feel able to give feedback and they sort themselves out, you can't be the only one! Swimming is so good for non-run days for us C25k-ers, I hope you find your space again soon

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate in reply to AllSewnUp]

I have made my views known, on the App, but no response. The sessions now say at least two lanes for lane swimmers, but I haven't been back. I think I need the structure of a course, The previous one was excellent.

I'm hoping to get back to it on holiday in Oct.

[Smilert]

Goodness me .. congratulations ..wow ….. this is great inspiration as I am preparing for do R2 on W9 x

[AllSewnUp Graduate in reply to Smilert]

oh wow! How did it go? So close to graduating-congratulations Smilert 🥳

[Smilert]

well done xxxxx