Just like an infectious disease......

Right that title probably hasn't put anyone's mind at rest but I was thinking about how running spreads.

The bug....

it starts small, a little idea, builds bigger, spreads further.

We share our advice, our proud moments, our struggles.

We want others to have the highs we get, the health benefits.

We don't want to feel that no-one understands us, the more people who run, the better the conversations you get.

The equipment changes, new trainers, trousers/leggings, shirts, watches, GPS, HRM. We chart and analyse.

We become so much more aware of the running community around us.

Has me thinking of Zombie films where the infected zombies spread and conquer everything.....maybe soon there will be so many runners just creating more runners....a very cool thought.

The London Marathon this weekend will no doubt have many thinking of taking up running, I hope they visit here and join this merry band.

The Olympics too will probably get people thinking of there health too.

But even those two events are nothing compared to the trials and highs that I read on here, every person on this journey is inspirational.

Long may the bug continue to spread.

Not much point to my post, just wanted to write what I was thinking.......maybe I shouldn't.....lol

[emzylou Graduate]

I agree. I started out on my own now I have 2 friends joining me!

[RhonaL]

Brillant! I have wondered if C25 is one of the NHS's more successful health promotion initatives (should win an award). What is impressive is how many people following the pods are - like me- older, tubbier and failures at running at school! I stumbled on the pods and I wonder how many GPs are aware of it? Any GPs / Nurses / Professions Allied to Medicine out there following the pods?

[Hidden in reply to RhonaL]

in my opinion its certainly not promoted enough. They promote the Change 4 life things but this should be just as thought of.

I doubt anyone up my Doctors surgery has even heard of it.

[AmandaW Graduate]

I'd agree that it is nowhere near publicised enough - my gp hadn't even heard of it! The thing with this one is that its nice a gentle, much more so than other c25ks I've seen, but its all personal choice I suppose. But yes, the running bug thing is very hard to get over lol - who'd have thought we'd sulk and pout because we couldn't go out in the rain and half kill ourselves for half an hour.... very odd behaviour lmao!

[scavo Graduate]

totally true.. since starting the programme i have got 4 friends that never ran running.. its spreading like wildfire and should be recommended by health professionals.. since ive taken up running, ive noiticed so many people running.. its a new phenomenon!! or maybe there were always lots of people running and im only noticing them now that im running too..

good post 7-of-us!!

[Minuette Graduate]

Great post about a great programme!

I've even started buying running magazines and I tell everyone about the C25K and this forum!

[TJFlute]

I'm coming out all goose-pimply!!

[juicydee Graduate]

You certainly SHOULD write about it, 7-of-us!! It's all part of that motivation and encouragement thing - and I wonder how many wannabee C25K-ers lurk unseen on here for weeks before finally making a start? They need to see something lovely and positive like this.

My GP had likewise never heard of the programme - but she has now, and I really hope she's passed it onto other patients (maybe I should contact her and ask ). And I think we need little cards to give out when we're running too - I saw this older lady shuffling along in trainers and a coat when I was running in the park this morning. At first I thought she was looking for her dog, but after I'd crossed her path a couple of times I realised she was walk/running. She didn't have earphones on so presumably was just doing her own programme or something. I so wanted to tell her about C25K but it would have taken too long and I was a woman on a mission..... but I did smile broadly at her every time I saw her.

So, NHS: cards, Tshirts....and an OBE for Laura, please!

[blueboots Graduate]

Great post, I think I might have 3 more people running now, it really is infectious but the more the better. Just saw the new T-shirts on Running Bug and thought we really need a T-shirt for C25K to help promote it. My DD2 works as a health worker at a GPs and has begun to promote C25K. Perhaps we should all approach our GPs to display some posters. I've said before on other blogs that it could easily be introduced in schools. You are so right 7-of-us, we just want others to enjoy the benefits of this plan more so because almost every one of us started out thinking we couldn't do it and look at us now.