A Year Ago Today...

[snoopybing]

A year ago today, I downloaded the Couch to 5k. I felt I couldn't let today go by without at least a little acknowledgement, so I'm just going to post a wee reflection on here, I hope you don't mind!

Prepare yourselves, extreme emotional gushing coming up...

When I downloaded the app last year, I knew I wanted to get fit. But never in my wildest dreams could I have predicted what I would achieve in the next twelve months.

I have lost 20% of my body weight. Last year, I was a size 14/16, 12.5 stone with a bmi of around 28.5. I'm now a solid size 10, 10 stone and have a bmi of around 22.

But believe it or not, that's not my biggest achievement. Two weeks ago, I completed my first half marathon. For those who like to work in metric, that's 21.1km. If you had told me during that first C25K session that I would able to complete that distance in a year, I would have thought you were mad!

Couch to 5k eased me into physical activity, and now I can't stop moving! In addition to my runs 3 times a week, I now also do Zumba and weightlifting and am currently learning how to swim.

The hardest run was the definitely the first. I remember getting all hot and bothered, I couldn't breathe, my lungs were on fire and I was cursing myself for making myself do it. But I stuck with it, and oh boy am I glad I did!

So I hope that my story will inspire some of you in the way that I was helped by the C25K community back in the early days (back when it was hosted on NHS Choices - retro!). Believe me, this community was an amazing lifeline when I was just starting out, and I definitely couldn't have completed the programme without your support!

So stick with it. It WILL hurt. You WILL get injured, your muscles WILL get sore. But the elation of pushing through the pain and achieving something that you never thought you would is a million times more powerful than any amount of tiredness.

So...yeah. That's my story.

Bring on the next twelve months!

[Misstrolly Graduate]

Wow, congratulations and thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story.

[Minuette Graduate]

That's a great story, really inspiring and a great achievement, congratulations!

[shelleymcb Graduate]

you have achieved so much in a year. to hear "first" half marathon sounds as if this may become a regular thing. I am approaching my year anniversary aswell at the end of the month so heres to celebrating

X

[snoopybing in reply to shelleymcb]

You knows it - next one already booked

Bring on April 15th!

[AimeeAloeVera]

Wow well done that is amazing ,It's my first week you have inspired me loads thanks x

[TJFlute]

Hey, I remember you on NHS choices! It's great to have your 'year on' update...congratulations on all you have achieved!

Theresa

[snoopybing in reply to TJFlute]

I remember you too! Nice to see some of the old faces still kicking about here - how are you getting on?

[TJFlute in reply to snoopybing]

Still loving it thanks! I managed 10 miles last May, but suffered two bereavements in June so didn't get to do a race or anything. I've just started building up the times once again.

I must pluck up the courage to do a race this year!

[Kate1991 Graduate]

This is a great read. Well done on all your achievements!

[Greg_M Graduate]

Nice! Half Marathon........how was that? I am plucking up the courage for one of those later in the year?

I found getting from 0-5K hard, 5-10K not as hard somehow and at the moment 10-15K quite hard and am hoping (urghhh) that I go back to a not so hard turn again.....but I have low expectations

Interested to know how big a step you found it and do you think you will keep up that kind of distance on a semi-regular basis?

[snoopybing in reply to Greg_M]

Aww it's a blast. I loved it. There were 30,000 runners, so I really felt like I was part of something. AND I wasn't the last one across the finish line, so that was a plus!

Yeah I also hit a wall at around 14k - looking back I think it was because I was going too fast. My advice would be to start slow, stay slow, but if you can, pick up the pace in the last 2k or so.

I have another half in a month or so, so I'm keeping my training momentum up for that, but long term, I'll probably aim for 2 x 5k during the week and a 10k at the weekend.

That's assuming I don't get caught up in another race...

[CaroleC Graduate]

Well done on your inspirational post re running and weight loss; it sounds like it's been a major lifechanging experience for you.

I'm currently up to ten miles (well I was until 9 days ago when I hurt my ankle so am now off road for a couple of weeks). I was exhausted at the end of that run but am aiming at half marathon distance eventually once I'm fit again. The running has definitely kept my weight loss off too.

Congratulations on your achievements so far.

Carole C

[maddykins Graduate]

well done and great story. keep it and keep us updated

[sfb350 Graduate]

Very inspirational, thank you !

[ribena-berry Graduate]

Wow, you've had a fantastic year!

It's so encouraging to read blogs from people who've been 'been there, done it and not only got the 5km t-shirt, but the half-marathon one too'!

Keep sharing any future feats to continue inspiring us all.

[Shuffle]

Great read - I am only starting week 2 but feeling positive and determined to keep going. I am 12.5 stone with BMI around 29 . . lol the old you! To read how you have achieved so much is great motivation for me and I have it in black and white that 'it can be done'! Well done.

[AliB1 Graduate]

Fab blog, very inspirational. Give us that aren't quite at 5km some hope for the future!!

[jules1707]

You are such an inspiration I hope that I can write a post similar to this a year down the line...well done, you are amazing!

[Hidden]

Thank you, you are certainly an inspiration.