Hi All, I've been an avid reader of everyone's blogs for the past few weeks, and although I've posted a few comments, I've never quite dared to come out from behind the scenes and write a blog myself! Anyway, I thought I'd start now, so I can remind myself how far I've come, and share my experiences with everyone else in this fantastic community which I've found so supportive.
By way of introduction, I'm 48, from the UK originally but now living in Ireland, and the mother of three teenagers. Over the past few years I'd let myself get overweight and unfit, and when a visit to the doctor flagged up raised blood pressure and a gentle lecture about my waistline, I knew I really had to do something about it. I'd come across C25K on the web a while ago, and had gone so far as to download it to my iPod. That consultation with my doctor finally gave me the impetus to actually get started.
So, Wk1R1 - I waited til dusk, pulled a baseball cap down over my eyes, put the dog on a lead so I could pretend I was just walking her, and off I went round the estate where I live. I didn't even tell my husband or kids that I was starting the plan, just sneaked out the door in my running gear. OMG that session was hard! I dreaded every one minute run even more than I dreaded meeting a neighbour while wearing running gear, but I did it. And the high I was on afterwards, from just one session, was amazing! Runs 2 & 3 were marginally better, again with the hat and the dog and at dusk.
Wk2 was a surprise. Kept the dog, but was confident enough to lose the hat, and actually found the week fairly easy.
I did the first run of Wk3 on the treadmill as I really didn't think I could manage 3 minutes outside, but it was fairly comfortable. I did the second run outside, but run 3 had to be on the treadmill again as the weather was so bad.
Week 4 seemed like a really big jump from Week 3, and again I wasn't sure I could do it. Eldest son (aged 18, but with a wise head on his shoulders) said he was sure it was just mind over matter and I should go for it on the treadmill first (I find running on the treadmill at a 1% incline is much easier for me than running outside). So that's what I did. It was tough, but with Laura's encouragement I got through it, and also the second run, again indoors because of heavy rain.
Finally, tonight I did Wk4R3 - I'm hugely pleased with myself: I ran one of the popular routes in our village, with no hat, no dog, and in lycra shorts!! And I met people I knew and wasn't embarrassed! At the end of the run I even felt there was more in the tank, but I knew not to push it (that can wait until next week!).
So that's my story so far. I felt so elated today after my run that I decided to start my blog. The difference 4 weeks have made is amazing: I feel much fitter, I am definitely more toned, not sure if I've lost weight but my jeans feel looser, knee pain has gone, I am much happier in myself and I know I can push myself to do more than I thought I could. My husband and kids are really proud of me, but the poor dog is absolutely gutted that I don't take her with me any more...
Thanks everyone on the site for your inspirational stories and support. It's wonderful to be part of such a great community!
I think that's a big moment in its own way. I took to about week 7 I think.
I've finished - I can't believe it! Feel great :-)
W9R3 complete!! Can't believe I've done It!!
First post - I can't believe how much C25K has helped!
Can't believe how unfit I am!!
