Why do fools fall in love?

[Rabbit561]

Why does this fool fall in love with great ambitions to run further and faster when really just being out there at all is so great. I haven’t run for a couple of months after my back stiffened and became painful just after a run. I’ve done c25k several times over the past 4 years and get so far then experience knee or back problems. I’ll be 68 in December which is not so old but every comeback feels harder. So, this time I’m determined just to enjoy it in the moment, experience the pleasure of moving, of greeting people I pass and enjoying the countryside I’m lucky to be able to run in. Does it really matter if I never run 5k? No! If I can just build up again to 20 - 30 minute slow runs I’d be very happy. Part of me feels I’d need some challenges but perhaps they should be around running in different places or being more mindful and not worry about what my watch says or even the fantastic running achievements of others on this forum.

Wk1 run 1 done today. I reset the app so it’s a proper fresh start. I’ll take it slow and am already taking encouragement from others on the forum who are restarting C25k just now. So good to be out there again .

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Enjoy your replay of C25K, and no don't push for speed or distance, I was 68 last January and enjoying running when health took a dive and I'm not able to run much at all but I still celebrate a 10 minute run slower than I used to walk.

[Rabbit561 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you Sue. It’s inspiring to hear you celebrating your runs in spite of ill health. I realised this morning how very much I love that half hour or so when I’m out on my own and taking in the beauty of the world.

[mummybowles Graduate]

You sound like me. Returning to C25k and taking it nice and slow. And I think building up to 20-30 minutes is a much better goal than 5k. I'm following you on here and look forward to hearing your progress. We both know we can do this. Good luck.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

It is so good to repeat C25K... a familiar friend, a comfy, old jumper... Slip into it, slow and steady, and simply enjoy...

You join so, so many of us who have trod this route many times

[Rabbit561 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Beautifully expressed. Thank you ☺️

[Bestsie_07]

You are so right, I'm one run away from completing C25K, but the beauty of just being outside in nature has been awesome. When I'm running and finding it tough I just refocus by looking at all the trees and fields around me. Enjoy every moment of however far you run, it literally is just the taking part in a run, not how far or fast 🧘

[Rabbit561 Graduate in reply to Bestsie_07]

Lovely to be with others in feeling this. Enjoy your running.

[Teacher23]

Fully agree. I dont think I'll ever be fast or run long distances but 30 mins of running is more than alot of people can do ! Good for you for sticking with it.

[Rabbit561 Graduate in reply to Teacher23]

Good to know others feel the same.

[Bestsie_07 in reply to Teacher23]

I agree with that!

[Gwenllian1 Graduate]

I've just restarted too and I love your attitude of focusing on the pleasure to be had in each and every run. I'm doing run 2 of week 1 today and definitely going to try the same approach. I'm lucky to live in a beautiful place so being out there is an opportunity to enjoy it! Good luck with yours! We can keep each other company.

[Rabbit561 Graduate in reply to Gwenllian1]

Look forward to hearing your progress and enjoy it!

[drl212 Graduate]

Congratulations on a great first step and a new perspective!

Run as you will. Slow and steady. Persistence and consistency will bring some of your goals closer…

Keep us posted and Enjoy!!

[Rabbit561 Graduate in reply to drl212]

So lovely to discover others think in the same way. A relief not to be competing and looking for targets!

[Earlymorningsun Graduate]

👍😀🏃‍♀️ what you written so resonates with me! Thank you for sharing it - just carry on slow and steady! It works. The whole point surely is to feel benefits from it, enjoy it and your surroundings. I’m also lucky to have lovely places to run in and I so appreciate it!

I’ve just graduated, after having tried running a few times before over the years and always given up after a while because of life, illness, or just plain too exhausted having tried to run too fast too too soon. This time I stuck to the program, did many “weeks” several times until I felt comfy with it. For many weeks it felt like a struggle until one day around week 4 or 5 when I suddenly felt “I’m doing this, my legs are actually ok with this running lark!” - glorious feeling!

Keep it up, Rabbit561 👍😀🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Rabbit561 Graduate in reply to Earlymorningsun]

So nice to know there are others out there who are doing it like me. Sometimes the ‘chat’ about faster times, longer distances and Garmin data can make me feel a bit of a poor relation but I know I’m not! Getting out there and enjoying doing it is the important bit 😊