Couch to 5k - any graduates

Hi Arch! Come over to the 5-10K thread!

I was a size 24 when I started. It was HARD. I did it 4 times a week, and changed my diet, and 5 months later was a size 14 running 5-10k 4 times a week. A year later, I was a size 10 and did my first half-marathon. 6 years later, I've done countless 10k races, 7 half-marathons and having not run for 11 months due to a difficult pregnancy and demanding newborn, in an hour or two I will be lacing on my trainers and starting again with the very first run of C25k. Let's do this!

Kind of me.

Three months ago I was a non runner. Went to a "power walking treadmill" class at the gym which turned out to be a running class. I walked the whole class. Said I wouldn't ever run but would go back. The next week I broke into a shuffle. I'm now running. The class tends to be a HIT workout, so periods of intense running and then recovery minutes.

However I'm going to the gym on my own other days and using couch to 5k to see how long I can run at a steady pace for. I'm on week 8 now. Really enjoying it.

I started C25K last August and God yes, the first run was HARD! Good on you for finishing it!

I hit 5K around last October and I'm now running 10K regularly.

The very best advice I can give you is to join one of the C25K threads here. Having the company, advice & encouragement made a huge difference to me.

Good luck!

I'm a graduate!!! I did C25k back in Nov/Dec and love it. I am one of those who only managed a few seconds of running in the beginning. I am now trying (not very successfully) to follow the 5 to 10k running plan. I totally agree with Ilikesweetpeas about Parkrun being fantastic. I've been going since almost the beginning of Nov and whereas I walked the first sessions in about 50mins my PB is now under 27mins. It's totally brilliant and really inspiring.

I am a total running bore at the moment

I'm not a graduate but am on week 5 now. Was a complete non runner and I have found this programme so good It would never have occurred to me that I could run for 5 minutes, have a brief rest then run again! Have a look for "park run", I've been doing this too and the atmosphere is great. Loads of people run / walk so you will not be out of place. Keep running!

Not a graduate but another beginner here.

I have just been reading some of the other threads and there seem to be lots of posters who said they could only run a few seconds on the first run and now 2-3 months later are running 5ks. They are my inspiration

I have just completed work 2.. And am feeling it!

Hoping to start week 3 mid week when my achey hip is rested.

I really really want to be fitter for my summer holiday - and am using that as a motivation.

I Have noticed a small change in my shape. Less big and bulgy around the middle. Only a small difference but it is another motivator.

Good luck.