c25k - I did it, and not giving myself credit, anyone willing to encourage me?

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

I have tried to do c25k since it came out, many times, probably about 15. Gave up every time. I hate running because I am fat, slow, go purple in the face and am very, very sweaty. But, it's good exercise because it's easy and cheap and I can listen to music or podcasts.

I finally finished the programme last summer - but I didn't get to 5k, only about 3.5 in half an hour. I was running on a treadmill that I bought on gumtree (in my bedroom with the curtains shut and a towel over the mirror and no one home) at 9.3km/ph (which is a speed I can walk at) so I felt pathetic and like I couldn't do this simple thing AT ALL. Who does C25K and doesn't get anywhere near 5k? What a loser. So, I stopped - I know, makes no sense at all, I think I have totally addled my mind with all the giving ups.

I went back to it two weeks ago and was amazed to find that I am actually fitter than I was last summer, I've only been walking and trying to do less sitting and stress less about actual exercise in lycra. I remain fat and sweaty and purple but the running for 25 mins was ok... so I decided to keep going until I had run 5k on the treadmill.

Yesterday I ran 5k on the treadmill at 9 km/ph. I am a bit tearful if I think about it. I didn't think I'd ever manage. I'm SO SLOW, and SO PURPLE and SO SWEATY, but, I did it.

I'm 53 and have high blood pressure, my heart rate is too high and I'm pretty stressed with assorted common-or-garden family/work/marriage dramas, I've been genuinely worried about my perma-fatness and perma-HBP and perma-worry about having a stroke or heart attack while also not being able to actually move my fat butt to solve these solvable issues.

Why am I not pleased with myself? I want to keep it up so I am healthier - because I'd REALLY like to do park run with my teenagers but I feel like I am so so rubbish and purple/sweaty that I worry that me exercising in public at a time of national stress would be an act of cruelty on the British Population.

would anyone be willing to pat me on my back? Because I need to feel pleased with myself so I keep this up! 120 days to build a habit, right? If I do 5k x3/week then that means I have 40 runs to make it a habit. I can do that, right?

Oo what are these?

I wish I went purple - it's my favourite colour! I go bright red instead! It does fade after a while though! Running for 45 minutes is great - I've been running on and off for years and have only recently been managing 5k in under 30 minutes, I wouldn't worry about speed at first ot comes with practice.

Well done OP. YOU DID IT!
I now challenge you to do a parkrun.
Trust me when I say you will receive nothing but support.
Running outside will make you less purple (maybe a delicate lilac?) and unless it's a scorcher you are less likely to get so sweaty. And you'll get the well-being benefit of exercising outside with others.
nb there's nothing wrong with being purple and sweaty but it sounds like you'd rather not be.

Sorry, I see you've already decided to do parkrun. Please report back.

A virtual medal is where you do your own run (distances vary), in your own time and then send a screenshot of the run details to the organiser as proof you’ve done it and they send you a medal. Most virtual runs cost £10-£20 . If you don’t have a running watch with app to record your run, just download Strava and use that.

@D0lphine why not give your local parkrun a try ..honestly you won’t regret it . If you have any questions feel free to pm me !

@vivariumvivariumsvivaria @D0lphine if you do decide to do parkrun , just make sure any runners register beforehand and then print off the barcode to take with you. You won’t need it until you’ve finished though so no need to clutch it in your sweaty hand all the way round.! If you arrive 15-20 minutes before the start then they’ll be a first timer’s briefing.

Amazing! I did c25k two years ago and I have never actually run 5k. I still run 2-3 times a week but only ever do 4k in the time I have available. Sometimes it’s really hard and I have to walk a bit. But it’s the keeping on going that makes a difference long term. Be impressed with yourself!

I dunno if this helps but I'll offer it and well done - I have a code for 2 free months of the peloton app (cancel before 60 days)
There's running and run walk programmes on there with instructors and music if you wanted to try it I can give you the code
Treadmill programmes and also outdoors with audio

That's bloody amazing! I'm fairly slim,no health issues,the same age as you and I couldn't run for more than 30 seconds without going scarlet and wheezing like a steam train. I hate all forms of exercise and always have, especially running,but you have made me consider giving it a go.
A huge well done from me!

My parkrun pb when I was much fitter than now was a few seconds over 30 minutes.
I'm currently doing parkrun in 43-45 minutes and although I feel slow at times I'm grateful that I can actually still run.

If you feel nervous about starting parkrun I recommend volunteering first. You'll see the huge range of runners of all shapes, sizes, speeds and the look of accomplishment from
Every runner as they cross that finish line.

WELL DONE!! 👋

Yayyy. Go you!

I think C25k is a catchy name but it can confuse. Being able to run for 30 mins ticks the NHS cardio box I guess - and 45 even better! You will get faster as you run more, but I have found if I try to run faster too soon it just puts me off going out. I'm getting stuck back in after winter, covid, colds etc, and just going to run slowly until that feels easy then think about building pace a bit.

This is such a great thread. That is wonderful OP, I'm smiling reading this. Well done. You should feel very very proud. You did it!!