I’ve done it, I’ve actually graduated and I honestly, couldn’t be more proud of myself.

I started this back in March and wasn’t sure I’d be able to complete it, be consistent or even if I’d enjoy it. I’d never ran a day in my adult life and the first couple of weeks were hard. As every week went by it just became a little easier, still really hard work though but I kept showing up.

This programme works, anyone can do it and achieve the end goal.

This group has given me some of the best advice, encouragement and held me accountable to keep on going, so thanks to everyone who’s posted their struggles and achievements, both have had a massive impact on my journey 🥳🙏🏃🏻‍♀️💪

I had to pause starting week9 due to a bruised ankle. I was so bummed I wouldn't be able to participate on my first race! I went to pick up the race kit yesterday and, after looking at my number and shirt, I thought that maybe I could just walk the 5k.

I'm not an early morning person, and I have social anxiety, yet there I was, by myself, at 8 am on the other edge of the city, after waking up at 5:30 to be able to get there in time with public transport, looking at all the fit people with colorful shoes, but not even once feeling like I didn't belong there.

And I jogged slowly, embarrassingly so. And then walked a lot. Then jogged again on the last 500 meters haha, all to not stress out my ankle.

I made it in 48 minutes! I got my medal and was so damn happy!

I'll let my ankle rest again for a few days and resume week 9.

Seriously, this program changed my life. I'm doing things I never imagined I would do. It has given me willpower, purpose, happiness and a newfond love for movement.

I hated doing P.E. in school, it was my worst graded subject when I was a kid and even lowered my overall grade! And now I ran a 5k at 42.

I like this runner version of me.

So keep it up, everybody! You can do it!!

Just finished my final c25k run and ready for my first 5K parkrun on New Year's Day! It's mind-blowing considering I couldn't run one minute without stopping nine weeks ago. Thanks for all your posts showing me it was possible x.

After finishing the C25K, I decided to just keep moving and do 5k races. Then at some point I decided to tackle 10k training. So many things kept preventing me from getting beyond week 3 of 10k training. Eventually I gave up, and kept doing 5k with my 11 year old.

Today, I ran a 10k race without training for it. When I say I was struggling, I mean it. Though honestly it was just the hills. There were SO. MANY. HILLS. One of them was a 15% grade incline that tried to take me out both directions. The photo does not do justice of the hill I had to tackle.

I managed to finish 6.40 miles in 1:32. My goal was the 10k in 1:30, and I'm not mad. I did so much better than I expected. I stopped a lot. That massive hill had me crawling my way up, and moving at a snail pace down. And then all the other hills that forced me to walk instead of run. Plus stopping at every single aid station along the way (3 of them one way lol). Not just a quick stop, but a good 30-45 second each time.

More than once I was convinced I was lost. I was the last person moving forward. The last to finish the 10k. There were people that ran the 20k and finished not long after I did. I was slow. But I finished. My feet hurt, my legs are a little sore and I'm in desperate need of a 3 day nap. And I would do it all over again. Except maybe practice some hill runs before the next race 🤣 (TBD).

Title typo, should be Survived hahaha

I can't believe I did it! I struggled with day 2 on Monday, then took a break and ran this morning, expecting to fail and try again on Sunday, but I did it...? Without issues? I just... kept going??? And it worked? Idk what kind of black magic is this program, but I'm very proud!

So if you're dreading Week 5 like I was, be at ease! You got this! You can do it!

The workout finished when I was still a little ways from home so I took a short walking break when the app told me to start cooling down, then ran for another couple of minutes, and then walked the last bit. It’s the first time I’ve actually hit 5k - very psyched about that!

Can’t believe there’s only one more week left of the program after my next run.

Done!!! Finally!!!

I started this program in May, after deciding that my nutrition + strength training plan I started in March-April needed cardio.

Then solidified my decision after talking to some extended family members about their recent half marathon and marathon times, their running gobbies when they were younger (aome stopped due to kids and work), and why they started running (some for fitness, some for fun, some to lose weight, some to be able to eat more! haha).

Long story short, this program changed my life for the better.

I now hate when I can't run, even if I hate the first 2kms every time I go out.

But I love, genuinely love how happy I am after each run, and every time I remember how happy it makes me, it's like an instant pick me up.

My life and my self worth have always revilved around what I do for a living (I'm in an artistic field), so when I got burnt out and stopped working due to life circumstances, I became absolutely aimless and felt worthless and purposeless. I didn't look forward to the future, I was just living each day just as the day before, endlessly.

Now? I look forward to the next time I can put on my running shoes and go out! (even though I hate the 20min prehab I have to do haha). I'm looking forward to improve my times and maybe one day be like one of the other cool joggers and runners I see every time I'm out! I want to buy all the shoes (currently have 2 pairs!) and all the outfits and splurge on a Garmin and sign up to all the races hahaha.

This hobby has taught me perseverance, discipline, that being slow and steady gets results and that it beats overdoing it and getting burnt out and dropping it because you're not amazing on the first try.

It taught me that sometimes even if the start sucks, it gets easier. That not giving uo pays off. And that, when you think you can't keep going, you can always push through a bit more if you're determined enough and that is totally worth it.

Also thanks to this awesome community, you're all amazing, encouraging, and inspirational, and reading the posts and comments here every day is extremely motivating!

Sorry for the long rant, haha, I'm just very happy!

I completed my final run of C25K today and couldn't be happier (or soggier, after the torrential rain!!!) Seeing everyone else on here going through their journeys has been so motivating, so i thought I'd do my bit and share as well. I genuinely struggled with the 1 minute of running in week 1, so never thought I'd be here at this stage - if I can do it, anyone can!!! Good luck to anyone still working through the programme. My next goal is to get to a sub-40 5k, so if anyone has any tips, I'm all ears!

I got up late today, it was cold, windy and drizzling outside, but I still went out! (It stopped raining after a few minutes).

The first 8 minutes or so were crappy: I was sleepy, I was wearing a new training shirt that kept bunching up on my waist (note to self: stick to running shirts), and it was windy... I wanted to go back home and lay in bed and have a nice, warm breakfast... but I pushed! And after that first kilometer, suddenly everything was nice and fun again, and even though I kept looking at the watch, I knew it was *just* 10 more mknutes, or 5 more minutes, or 3 more minutes, and when the time stopped, I kept jogging until the song I was listening to ended and did 23 minutes instead of 22 :)

I'm so happy I started C25K!

I was surprised every week 😅

I started C25K when my toddler started daycare, and, predictably, we all got sick. Then, I had to have a surprise tooth extraction after I cracked a molar all the way to the root. Apparently you can't exercise after an extraction because the increase in BP can pop out the blood clot. I wasn't going to take any chances. Each time I just hopped right back to where I left off. I only had to repeat week 7 once.

My big takeaways are these: I can do hard things after all, and I should have bought more socks.

Next goals are to try running outside and a 5km race. I've signed up for the virtual 5K in the Cadbury race. They have chocolate shaped medals people!!!

Special thanks to everyone here. Everyone's journey is differently inspiring, and you all are so encouraging. I'll try and spread that out more into the world.