'Twas a year ago today.....

[OldNed]

.....that I started this C25K lark. Was 61, hadn't run since school, age 16, but thought I'd give it a go. Graduated in March on my 62nd birthday and I'm still running. In the immortal words of Ronald McDonald - I'm loving it.

Along the way, I've run 30 mins, I've run 5K, I've run 60 mins, I've run 10K and I'm loving it so much that I've entered the Great Yorkshire Run in September (10K). Yay me; entered a race! Crikey!

Interestingly I've also found that although I'm running less in the winter I'm covering the ground faster. Down to a 6.3mins/Km pace. Not good enough to get under the hour for a 10K but not far off and there's plenty of time! Happy New Year and Keep on Running.

[Saruma Graduate]

Well done Ned, I was on the verge of registering for the Great Yorkshire Run just this morning but thought I'd best not get ahead of myself and graduate first before making the final decision - have just completed W8R1 today.

[OldNed Graduate in reply to Saruma]

Thanks Saruma and well done to you too. If you've got to W8R1 you'll certainly graduate, and on that basis it's never too early to register for GYR. See you there!

[Burstcouch Graduate]

Well done to you. the pace is fantastic, if you don't mind me saying for someone your age. My pace is about 8min/km or more and I am 53!

Very slow but I like the distance.

I also started this C25k around the end of January 2012

[OldNed Graduate in reply to Burstcouch]

Thansk Burstcouch. [Blushes]. It changes your life doesn't it; I could never have imagined entering a race when I started this but now it seems like an entirely sensible (?) thing to do.

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to OldNed]

it is the sensible thing to do...you'll love it!

[OldNed Graduate in reply to AliB1]

Yep, it does feel like a natural progression. I have this little voice whispering away in my head that keeps saying "half-marathon", and even that doesn't seem beyond the realms of the possible. And this is the first time I've aired that thought publicly!!

[greenlegs Graduate in reply to OldNed]

These little voices are funny aren't they! I'm only on week 3, but went into a book shop today, and browsed the running section - I wouldn't have dared go near it just a month ago, for fear of looking daft!

So when's that half-marathon then? Maybe you will!

[OldNed Graduate in reply to greenlegs]

Perhaps in the Autumn? There is one here in Sheffield in May but that feels too early. And we're not available when the Great North Run is on. But I observe (and note the cautious choice of verb!) that the Royal Parks Half Marathon is on 6th October. Hmm.

[greenlegs Graduate in reply to OldNed]

My daughter lives in Sheffield, I observe! (I can now run for 4 minutes!!! - ha ha ha!) I see it is a Sunday.

Now I need a lie down before I go all hysterical!

[AliB1 Graduate]

Can you believe you've been runnig for a year? Amazing isn't it? It's my anniversary around now (can't remember exactly which day I started but was just after new year). Congratulations on making it to one year and hear's to many more years of pounding pavements /trails / races etc

[OldNed Graduate in reply to AliB1]

Absolutely. Now that I've started I can't imagine stopping; it's just part of what I do and who I am now. I imagine it's the same for you?

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to OldNed]

Totally!! This last 4-5 weeks been really hard as only ran a couple of times due to horrible cold and cough!! Now on antibiotics so hopefully back out again soon!! I miss it!

[Saruma Graduate]

Just curious Ned, have you tried either of the Sheffield Parkruns yet? And if so, how did you find them? I'm very tempted

[OldNed Graduate in reply to Saruma]

No Saruma, I haven't yet. But, like you, I've been very tempted. They seem within the realm of doable. Perhaps I should work towards them as a birthday present to myself (March).

[SBG356 Graduate]

Ned! What inspiration you are to us all! A fantastic achievement and I can just feel your enjoyment and positive vibes emanating from your blog! I can tell it has changed your life for the better and how happy that has made you..... absolutely wonderful.

I salute you sir and please keep letting us know of your journey and your experiences. Best of luck in your training for the GYR!

Sue

[OldNed Graduate in reply to SBG356]

Thanks Sue, that's very much appreciated. It does change your life and I'm so pleased I started. Like you, I was also energised by the Olympics and I think that will have a lasting effect in this country - I think it changed the way Britain & Britons thought of ourselves, and for the better. I've also just volunteered to be a Tour Maker (like a Games Maker) for the Grand Depart of Le Tour de France from Yorkshire in 2014. So excited about that; never thought I'd see the Tour in Yorkshire, and the rumour is that there'll be a stage finish in my home town of Sheffield. Fingers crossed!

[swanscot Graduate in reply to OldNed]

> I've also just volunteered to be a Tour Maker (like a Games Maker) for the

> Grand Depart of Le Tour de France from Yorkshire in 2014.

Wow, how exciting to be involved in a major sporting event as The Tour!

[SBG356 Graduate in reply to OldNed]

You are so right Ned; the Olympics has had a big impact on us all and if it can motivate us to get fitter then even better. 2012 has been a brilliant year for the UK!

Tour Maker for The Tour - brilliant stuff! Another great sporting event for the UK that will have a great effect too I'm sure.

[Vick1e1]

Wow! Seriously well done to you. I opined the c25k last August and 'graduated in november. It's a great feeling and you must be very chuffed!

[OldNed Graduate in reply to Vick1e1]

I am indeed, and it doesn't lessen as time passes!

[skf28 Graduate]

Great stuff, very motivating to hear how the c25k is just the start!

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

Brilliant Ned, you must be very proud and have a great 2013, Delia x

[OldNed Graduate in reply to DeliaItaly]

Thanks Delia, you too. Always interested in your Italian experiences.

[Hidden]

Excellent Ned, I had my 62nd birthday 2 days after Christmas, I graduated a few weeks before that. I have only run the 5K at the moment PB so far of 32m 56 sec. I run 3 times a week and when the weather improves I hope to run for longer and further on some days. I like you never thought I would be running after not doing much exercise for many years but it is so great now I have found and completed the C25K program. Hopefully we will both be running for many years to come.

[OldNed Graduate in reply to Hidden]

that's the plan!

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Fantastic, Ned - great achievements already, and you are going on to do even more! All the best with your running this year,

Annie

[OldNed Graduate in reply to Anniemurph]

Thanks Annie, and the same to you. Onward, ever onward!

[TJFlute]

Happy New Year and well done with all that you've done in 2012 and I hope you achieve all your new running goals

[OldNed Graduate in reply to TJFlute]

Thanks Theresa, you too.

[gdeann Graduate]

BRILLIANT NED!!!! Your user name should be spry Ned instead of old Ned! Amazing progress and a very well done to you!!!! Your blog is such an inspiration of our age just being a number and we can do all we set our minds to do. Wishing you a bountiful year of continued blessings in 2013! Gayle

[OldNed Graduate in reply to gdeann]

Thank Gayle. Not doing so bad yourself if I may say so. Best wishes for lots of running this year. Go Girl.

[janda Graduate]

Congratulations Ned on all your achievements so far. Really an inspiration as others have said up above. Keep up the good work. Happy running.

[OldNed Graduate in reply to janda]

Thanks Janda; I does my best. Wishing you lots of good runs this year

[Bxster Graduate]

You are doing great, feel guilty about my year anniversary - I effectively lapsed 4 months ago, been out a bit but not enough and so I'm back out again

[OldNed Graduate in reply to Bxster]

One foot in front of another! You've graduated once, you can/will do it again

[Vivwestie Graduate]

Nifty Ned! What a difference a year makes, eh? Best of luck for the race later on in the year ....and don't ignore that 1/2 marathon voice - you can do it!

[OldNed Graduate]

Thanks Viv - I think I can!