C25K - one year on!

[mancrunner1]

Thought I’d give a little update as it’s been a year since I started my C25K journey, a few days before my 40th birthday. I had been a runner previously but somewhat sporadically in the last few years and not at all in the lockdowns so I was starting pretty much from scratch and I hoped the programme would give me some much needed motivation and structure. It’s delivered beyond my expectations!

Upon finishing the programme and consolidating, I decided to go straight into Juju’s Magic 5-10km plan and completed that in August 2021 - I’d never run more than 5km before this so I was really pleased to get to 10km only 4 months after restarting my running journey! I spent the autumn improving my 10km time and then completed RED January, which I loved (and had my first experience of running in snow!). February was a write-off due to a nasty bout of bronchitis but I eased my way back into it and started the Nike Run Club half marathon plan in mid-March, which I’m really enjoying. Hoping to get my first half under my belt this summer!

Since I started I’ve knocked almost 6 mins off my 5km time and 3 mins off my 10km. I’ve lost 7lbs and my cardio fitness has gone from Fitbit’s average rating to the very good to excellent range. It’s extremely rare for me not to run at least three times a week and my mental health has really benefitted. Delighted to be turning 41 this weekend fitter than I was 20 years ago! If you’re just starting the journey I hope this is helpful - although I’d run for a number of years, it’s this programme that turned me into a runner. Good luck all!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Win, win, win!!!!Keep running, keep smiling.

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Great story and great progress !Well done .

And good to hear your enjoying the NRC HM plan 😁👍

Oh, and happy birthday 😁

[mancrunner1 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Wonderful to read! Superb progress! Thank you for sharing

[Vespina Graduate]

Amazing. Thanks for sharing, that all sounds fantastic. So lovely to hear about how people progress when they’ve finished. Here’s to many more miles

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

What a year! Very well done. Some great achievements and you start a new year with a new goal lined up to smash!

Happy running and happy birthday when it comes

[mancrunner1 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you!

[AndrewFoot84 Graduate]

Amazing, well done and thanks for sharing. It's great inspiration to hear people who have done so well; it makes me feel like I am capable of pushing myself further because other people have.

[mancrunner1 Graduate in reply to AndrewFoot84]

Best of luck with it, I found this forum amazing for advice and inspiration!

[Frenc Graduate]

Well done! I totally agree that C25K makes runners of us! 😊

[Jools2020 Graduate]

That’s really great progress, well done! Good luck with your half marathon training - I don’t doubt that you will do it!!

[mancrunner1 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks Jools! I see you’ve moved now, well done - hope you’re well!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to mancrunner1]

I’m doing fine, thank you! Love my new house.

[tmbtrain Graduate]

👏Great stuff! Well done on going for the half marathon too, what a journey 😊

[nowster Graduate]

Back in February I ran from my home to a work lunch at Rudy's Pizza in Ancoats, which I think is not far from you. 🤣🍕

Well done for keeping at it. 👍

[mancrunner1 Graduate in reply to nowster]

I can see it from my window! Thank you, hope you’re doing well

[nowster Graduate in reply to mancrunner1]

Yes, thanks. A few ups and downs, but I've been consistently knocking out Half Marathon distances every month since September.

[mancrunner1 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Amazing - that’s the next target for me!

[MrsLydiaWickham Graduate]

So interesting to hear how you progress over a year. Great post, thank you.

[mancrunner1 Graduate in reply to MrsLydiaWickham]

Thank you - excellent username if that’s what I think it is, by the way!

[MrsLydiaWickham Graduate in reply to mancrunner1]

Ha ha, yes it is...pinched from the book. 😆

[Bluefly Graduate]

Really inspiring, great post!