How running changed my life and other stories...

[everynameistaken123]

I started on C25K about 2 and a half months ago. Shedding my phobia of all things exercise-based, and coming out of an emotionally destructive relationship, I decided that running was going to my thing, and my route to strength.

And it has been.

After an unsuccessful week 5, I was staying with a good friend, a marathon runner, who said that we should go out for a run together. She even lent me my first lycra, and my first PROPER running bra (i.e. I’m not talking Marks and Spencer, I’m talking full on body armour, with 20 hook and eyes). What I presumed would be a brief 3km jaunt down the river turned into a non-stop 7km run. And I felt great. I didn’t even die. I even managed to speak to her the whole way round our course. I was absolutely overjoyed.

And so the journey properly began.

Within a week of the 7km, I’d signed up for and started training for a 10km race, on behalf of Mind, the Mental Health Charity. I upped my anti, running four times a week, and increasing the amount of time I was spending working on my core strength (which, with a belly like mine is severely lacking). I bought myself real running trainers.

And its happened. I call myself a runner... On Saturday, I actively chose to go for an 8 and a half km run. It was beautiful. The sun setting, and the air cool. I have my first 9km training run this coming weekend, and I’m terrified, but the more I’m doing it, and the further I’m going, the more wonderful I find it.

DISCLAIMER: Sometimes it’s so hard that I want to give up, or cry, or stay in my bed. Or so dreadful that I get back from a run and sulk for half an hour. The good runs make up for that though! And setting a target race, and getting people to sponsor you is a great way of pushing yourself!

So my run is in October, and I'm very excited, and scared at the same time.

Here are my favourite things about running:

i) Covering distances and seeing new bits of my city

ii) Other runners giving you a thumbs up of encouragement as you drag yourself to the top of a hill

iii) Being alone with the city in the early morning and listening to this FANTASTIC book “What I talk about when I talk about running” (and understanding it!) amazon.com/What-Talk-About-...

iv) Losing 5kg

v) Getting great legs

vi) Having more energy

And most of all

vii) Feeling happy and liking myself for the first time.

So for anyone that feels demotivated or anxious about runs, or feels like giving up. Stop. Rethink. Put on your trainers, and make yourself walk out the front door.

You never know... C25K might be just the beginning.

Running might change your life.

[mattaitch Graduate]

Wow - just wow, that is an amazing post, both for the content and the eloquence. Can I ask what was your previous best distance before the 7K? I only just finished C25K on Monday and in my latter runs I have been daydreaming of doing 4 miles, 5 miles, 10K, 10 miles and beyond which is just so amazing considering where I started from.

I wish there was a recommend/like option for the community as everyone should read this before they "drink the Kool-Aid"

[everynameistaken123 in reply to mattaitch]

Hi mattaitch

Thanks for your lovely comment and congratulations for finishing c25K!

I think the furthest I had covered before the 7km was between 2.5 and 3km, so it was definitely doubling it. Personally, it really helped to have my friend there, since the mental-block of distances is my arch nemesis!

You should just set yourself out a really nice route, to get somewhere you might not even think about walking to. (Use Map-my-run to find a route if that's helpful). And take it slow, don't worry about time. If you need to walk little sections, do that, then repeat the run another day, and try and join up all the gaps.

And most of all Good Luck! If you're dreaming, I reckon you're already there

[Sugar2 Graduate]

Thank you so much for sharing this. Your story is so inspirational and I am just so pleased for you. I shall think of your journey when I am puffing my way towards graduation - only 5 more runs for me before that so I shall have to decide what course to take after . Onwards and upwards, I say.

[everynameistaken123 in reply to Sugar2]

Hi Sugar,

Thanks for your comments. And be glad its only puffing, I realised the other day that when I get really tired, I make tiny groaning noises. (Lots of dog-walkers have been quite alarmed to hear me appearing behind them)!

Just do what feels natural after C25K. Find somewhere beautiful you want to run, and just do it, walking little bits if you need to.

Good luck with the last 5!

[virtualrunner Graduate]

Really great post - I have really struggled with wk 8 and just done wk9r1 - also struggling - am now actively looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow - many thanks for posting- so inspiring

[everynameistaken123 in reply to virtualrunner]

Thank you virtualrunner!

Keep going - you've got so far. And hope tomorrow's run is a good one. I have another 7 km to do on my lunch break from work.. could be a struggle, but I know it'll feel amazing after.

[Rose885 Graduate]

What a wonderful story, it just shows what running can do for your physical and mental wellbeing. I'm chuffed for you and wish you luck with your 10k, I would love to sponsor you if you have an online page?

[everynameistaken123 in reply to Rose885]

Dear Rose885

Thank you so much for your lovely message of encouragement. Your support is really really appreciated!

I hope you don't take offence, I do have an online page, but because it has my personal details, I'd rather not share it on an online forum. However, if you'd like you can donate to Mind online here: mind.org.uk/donate

Thanks

[rosn123 Graduate]

Great blog and so encouraging. I just got back from my 2nd run of week 7 and it was such a struggle. Can't seem to improve on my speed or distance but do feel a sense of achievement for sticking with it even though my legs felt like lumps of lead today.

Well done on your progress.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Congratulations, smashing blog, wonderful running too. I agree running isn't just a body improving exercise its in my opinion a body and sole redeemer. Lovely blog very inspiring.

[SBG356 Graduate]

I read this blog this morning and wanted to comment but couldnt as I was really moved by it and couldnt find the words. I have re-read it and still dont have the words but would just like to say how brilliantly uplifting and inspiring this is! So honest and true and something we can all relate to I'm sure. It should be the blog to read before every run to get us all through to the next level.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us and I wish you all the luck in the world for your 10k - but somehow I dont think you will need it; you are already there! Well done on your journey.

[Rollertoaster Graduate]

Wow, how insipiring! Thanks for posting!

[Moosele Graduate]

Good for you EveryNameIsTaken123!! sounds like you are really making progress with your running and moving on.

This post got me out of the door into the cold for today's run - thanks

[Bongodrums Graduate]

Beautiful, inspirational words. Thank you

[gdeann Graduate]

Such an inspirational blog posting!!! Mentally, I am having difficulty ever comprehending I can be a "runner" when I am huffing and wheezing along at a snails pace. I am into week 8 and can't believe I will be graduating soon...I get very down on myself, thinking my distance and pace should be better, then reality comes back to me and I realize I never, ever ran until just 8 very short weeks ago. Thank you for posting this everynameistaken123, your story is proof all things are possible with the right mindset and great attitude. Wishing you continued success! BTW: Love, love your user name! So cute!

[Chewy]

A very touching and heartfelt post, what's more, a real inspiration to anyone who, like me, is working towards becoming a runner.

[canuckgirl Graduate]

Thank you for your post. It was lovely to read and I found that it expressed some things that i feel about running (but haven't put into words). Minus, I am afraid, the weight loss (Wk8R2 tomorrow and still no loss - what's up with that?).

Nevertheless, feeling healthy, being healthy, having better muscle definition are all pluses.

When I read "Feeling happy and liking myself for the first time" I got tears in my eyes - I am so glad for you - what a wonderful programme this is!

Good luck in your 10k race!

[Fraz73 Graduate]

Brilliant post, thank you so much for sharing your story with us. It gives me hope that I can run those kind of stretches in the not too distant future. I'm so happy for you that running has given you so much. I think all of us are undergoing some kind of life changing process by doing this! I can only hope that my journey turns out half as well as yours clearly has. Congratulations to you

[nickinocki]

Just a truly inspiring post. Thankyou for sharing.

[Mildred1]

What a great post! What are you up to now??