W1R3 - somewhere I never thought I would be.

[ForrestGrump]

Hi all,

Having read lots of entries on this site I thought I would add my own experiences - sorry for the length of it but I am soo excited I just wanted to put it all in here. There are three things that I wanted to share:

Background

Thank You

Lesson learnt

Background - I hated running, always have. I used to be a fit, strong rugby player some 14 years ago. Having played at a time when the sport went professional I used to train 4 days a week. When ever it came to running I had to have a ball in my hands because I found plain running boring. Anyway usual story I got injured, right knee injury, so retired and didn't continue with any sort of serious training. I played at gym work but basically piled on some timber and focused on enjoying the finer things such as beer, wine and pies. I went from 17 stone at my peak to 21 stone. It was time to do something about it and I took up swimming...my wife invested in a waterproof MP3 player so I could listen to something to keep me going in the pool and that is when I searched for podcasts and found C25K and Laura! She works well in the pool but I thought I would give it a go running....

Thank you - I put it off to start with due to my history of avoiding running. I also didn't think I could do it. The one thing that changed that was this site. I would wake up every morning and check my blackberry to find inspirational, funny, challenging, supportive and advice seeking posts. I realised this was achievable. I spoke to my Dr who said to start in the gym as I already had a membership and also gave me a more controlled environment to support my knee. In summary I would not of got off the couch, or out of the pool without the entries from you good people. Thank you! You have helped me get started!

Lessons Learnt - W1R1 went well I felt good and would go as far as to say I found it easier than I thought. The music works well and each 60 second run flew by. The encouragement comes in just at the right time to keep you going. I got home and felt brilliant. It was also the best nights sleep I had in months! W1R2 was a bit different. I had the days rest and turned up ready to go. The 5 min warm up went well and so I got into the run using he same speed as I had on day 1 at 7kph. After the second run I was really feeling it. On the third run towards the end of the 60 seconds I was begging for Laura to turn up and tell me to slow to a brisk walk...there was a lady running next to me and in my mind I imagined she was Laura. She must of thought I was mad as I kept looking at her in the mirror. She lent across and asked if I was ok, I replied saying that I was finding my run much tougher tonight. She smiled and said common mistake...she moved my towel from the machine to reveal a sticker saying "warning this machine is in mph!" I was very relieved. The lesson here is go at the right pace for you. If it doesn't feel right then it most likely isn't. Go slow and steady and this running lark is achievable. W1R3 was back to normal.

Overall I am really looking forward to my runs, the podcast and music mean that I no longer hate running and I now have a sense of achievement after each run. The best bit is that others are out there doing it and I can get my inspiration and encouragement from this site when it gets tough. Thank you and keep it up.

Bring on week 2!

Forrest Grump

[PeaBea Graduate]

Welcome and well done. I laughed at the thought of you on the treadmill gasping away wondering what had happened in a day only to find you were no longer metric. Must be something to do with all this talk about leaving the EU!!! lol. Good luck with your future runs and keep on blogging.

[BeLucky]

Thank you and that's decided it for me!!! I registered with C25K at the beginning of the year with great intentions of starting the programme but have been procrastinating ever since. I too have read all the blogs and now having read yours I'm starting today - will let you know how I get on

[Deryn61 Graduate]

Welcome! And what a fab post. As someone who hadnt voluntarily ran for about 30 or more years or so till she started this last year (aged 40!) I can vouch for how brilliant it is!

I am currently "resting" as I get over a chest infection that has knocked the stuffing out of me (plus a rib injury from so much coughing - how pathetic!) but I cannot wait to get back out running once I am able!

If anyone had had told me 14 months ago before I started C25K that I would enjoy running, have joined a running club, even doing 10k races (including one very muddy cross country!) I would have thought they were mad!

Good luck and enjoy

[Deryn61 Graduate in reply to Deryn61]

Oops! Typo! I don't normally lie about my age, I was 50 when I started, not 40!

[ForrestGrump in reply to Deryn61]

That makes it even better!

[daisylou]

So funny, I have a picture of you 'cartoon like' with blurred legs as you try and keep up. Keep up the good work and trust in the programme it really works.

[swanscot Graduate]

Welcome to this addiction! I had to laugh at the treadmill mistake* but glad to hear you were 'rescued' by your neighbouring runner!

*But I really dislike that we still use mph in the UK! Or anywhere in the world for that matter - how many 10K running plans talk in terms of miles, yet are aiming for 10 KILOMETERS! Doesn't make sense to me! Rant over

[ForrestGrump]

Thanks for all the support everyone and I agree about mile/km debate. I like KM when running as the number is higher and makes me think I am travelling faster...

Just returned from W2R1 and feel nice and tired. As the runs got a little tougher I found myself looking in the mirror and grimacing. For some reason, of which I have no idea why, instead of thinking what would one of our Olympic heros do I found myself asking myself what would Murdoch from the A Team do? Made me laugh to myself and before I knew it the run was over. I find that if I think about running or the time left then it is tougher than if I let my mind go free. Even if it does end up in strange places.....two more to go this week!

[Deryn61 Graduate in reply to ForrestGrump]

Ha ha! I know when I find the going tough I have to remind myself to relax and smile, drop my shoulders (I was getting aches across the neck and shoulders from being so tense!). I will probably be locked up at some point (once I resume), running round the forestry tracks and canal paths around Neath grinning inanely but it's worth it.

[greenlegs Graduate]

Well, thanks for that. You've no idea how good it makes me feel that I'm further along the programme than an ex-rugby player! He he!

Glad to hear it's going well for you - apart from the speeding treadmill

[123456789 Graduate]

Well done mate, hope you enjoy each coming week as much as I have.

All the best

Dale

[avrili]

I'll be watching for your comments as I'm just a day behind you! I'll be doing Week 2 run 1 tomorrow night as long as the snow holds off, have done all week 1's in the snow so fingers crossed. Looking forward to it so hope it's not too much harder?! Love reading everyone's experiences, really helps. Good luck with the rest of week 2.

[ForrestGrump in reply to avrili]

Good for you out in the snow. I took my dogs for a walk in it and found it hard going so well done for doing W1 in it!

[Hidden]

Good grief, it's a good job you found out about the treadmill speed in week 1 or it could've put you off running for life!

It's lovely to hear how much you're enjoying it so far - keep at it and check in here whenever you are feeling demotivated. I have found using the search facility on the site invaluable as no matter what you are going through, whether it be a lack of confidence, injury, quesitons about kit, a crap run or pure euphoria, there has someone who has been through the same and posted about it.

Good luck with the rest of the programme and keep blogging!

[Blessingway]

What a glorious post! I can feel the joy! Well done on getting out there. This community made me take that final leap too. I've only just started out but that in itself is a massive step. I never thought I'd enjoy running. Ever. But it seems I do.

I look forward to following your progress! Yay!

[skf28 Graduate]

Hi Forrest grump, I love your name

Thanks for your blog too, well done for getting started, now you've found the key to this running lark (slow and steady) you'll do just great and love it (like we all do!)

[vixiej Graduate]

What a great blog, well done on the running achievements you already have! I too had a good laugh at the km/m issue, poor you

I never 'got' running until I started this programme, I think it's the fact that it builds slowly and there are so many achievements to enjoy along the way, each run completed, each week, the increased time. It gives your body and mind time to keep up on the overall journey and to savour the benefits (like a good night's sleep).

Enjoy the rest of the programme, I look forward to more of your blogs. Go for it!

[Fingalo Graduate]

Great blog FG, really enjoyed reading that.

Welcome to the community.

[Jeddahpm Graduate]

What a fantastic blog! Very inspiring. With such a positive attitude you will do well as even when you have tough runs your enthusiasm and this community will get you through! Well done on such a fab start.