Couch to 5k - any graduates

Just saw the OP and want to say well done to all C25kers - I can get a bit evangelical about it, such an effective approach.

From being a running novice and nearly crying during week 1, after 12 weeks I did my first 5k (all running), shortly after a 10k then one year from the start of it all, a half marathon. Still can't believe it really. So it can be done!

Checking back in to see how everyone is doing.

Sounds like everyone is progressing.
Well done to those in week 8!
And congratulations to the new ones.

Got week 4 day 2 done tonight.

Still very slow but plodded along in the evening sunshine.

Am lucky to live in beautiful countryside with tiny paved lanes dotted around with no traffic on so can jog along ungracefully quite happily.

As I plod I head the words of all the Super Graduates in my head. "I could not run 30 seconds... Am now doing half marathons" etc. You are my inspiration.

Starting week 8 this evening with my local running club. It will include a 28 minute run and I am gearing up for a Parkrun this weekend. Only a few weeks back I was struggling to run for a minute! To those of you just starting out, go for it - if I can do it (overweight and in my fifties, never run before) then you can too... good luck!

Great to find this thread, I downloaded the app this week and gave just completed day 2. Reading all these success stories is inspirational. I have gained far too much weight and am seriously unfit which is affected so many aspects of my life. Starting a new me this week! I want to be a C25K graduate too!

Wow - well done everyone - I am very impressed with the 20 minutes - can't believe I will be attempting it next week.

I have just done my 2nd week 4 run and I know what you mean about beginning to feel like a runner - especially on the downhill sections!

I met a neighbour today who I don't see very often and it was great to have a little chat - running got me out there- but I also didn't want to stop the program - I'm too much if a perfectionist with these sort of things.

Done 5k this morning in 30min!!!!!!
got to work at 9:10. (my work is flexible with hours so not a problem, but i might have to streamline my morning next time....)

Graduate here. Just done my first 6k tonight, and signed up for a 10K in August.

You can do it!!

I get up at 6 and have a run on the way to work two mornings a week, then shower & change once I get here.

Never thought i would say this...... I am very tempted to get up early to squeeze a run in before work !!!! as long as I can leave home at 6:45 .... 7 at the latest. To the showers at the gym are pretty grim. Think its the only way I can fit more runs in the week.

I run six times a week :). Each day you increase a bit (it's easier to increase time not distance at first). Once you can run non stop for 15 mins you can do it by distance. So I started with 4k and gradually increased that. Once I was sure I could run 8k non stop, I changed to training days (mostly sprinting) and different distance days. So I do a long distance one once a week, 2 mid range and one short one. With two training sessions in between :)

Looks

I never meant to go beyond 5K. Then shit happened & I ended up signing up for a 10K. Just under three weeks to go now...

Well done OP!! I was nearly 18 stone when I started running and could manage 40 seconds but did my 2nd 10k race this weekend. I love it.

I haven't really lost much weight through running but I am now sorting my diet and have now lost some - it makes running easier!!

Yeah it was week 4 that was my turning point Zohz that's when I felt like a runner and that actually just maybe I'd manage that 20 minute run.
Wow charimito how did you do that? I'd love to run up to half marathon distance and in such a short time I'm impressed.
In a few months when the next group start I'll turn out to run with them like my friend did for me last night Empress and I'll definitely pass it on.

5.5k yesterday

I really have to try to get out more than once a week.

Not a graduate per se as I didn't follow the programme, but I was a couch potato not that long ago and before mid January I had never run before. I can now run up to Half Marathon distance :)

It worked for me too. Pass it on when the time comes!

And when you've done the whole thing come & join us in the 5-10K group.

Thanks I am unbelievably proud of myself right now. It is such a buzz still on a high from it all.
And thanks Empress for the advice it kept me going.
I have signed up for a 10k I've always wanted to do in September and can actually see myself doing it now. Still a long way to go but it feels possible.

Well done Looks. It's such a buzz when you progress. Go you.

That's brilliant Looks, bloody well done!!!!

You will do it, and you can do it.

My first run in Feb 2015 I managed 30 seconds of running. In the July I ran 10k. I can now run upwards of 8 miles, and am aiming for a half.

It is possible to do it. Well done on this far!

Omg I did my 20 minutes. A pretty slow 2.5k but I did it. First 12 minutes were ok that's when Empress advice took hold and I counted the next few minutes to 15 minutes then reminded myself I could run 5 minutes so could manage the next bit.
There is a hill right in the last few minutes of our run and it has been my nemesis have to force myself up it every time. A friend was running with me and she said just take it slow but I couldn't if I did I'd stop so I took off at a sprint and got up the hill just as my 20 minutes was up. I have no idea where I found that last little bit but I think I'm prouder of that than the 19 minutes before.

Couldn't imagine myself running 20 minutes 5 weeks ago and that's me done it and covering half the distance just over halfway through the programme I'm absolutely delighted.

I have found running the best thing for my mental health too.

Gonna aim for 5.5km this evening.

Things keep cropping up, and i have only managed 1 5k run a week for the last few weeks. So happy I am not losing fitness, but need to push myself. Have signed up for pilates again, which I think is a good complement to the running.