Running success stories!!!

I started running in 2009. I could barely run a mile and initially thought I'd never run longer than 5, ever. Flash forward to now and I recently finished 2nd in my age group in a half marathon and I'm training to run my first 100km trail race in May. You never know where you'll end up when you find something you love to do.

I first got on a treadmill to try to run in Sept of 2010 and couldn't even make it a minute at 4mph before I gave up.

After months of elliptical, I decided I wanted to run instead. I did ever so slightly better, but it was still really crappy. I then spent months basically doing what could be considered my own version of couch to 5K (I didn't know about C25K at the time, I found about it later) and would run until I couldn't run anymore, walk to catch my breath and repeat. Increasing my running periods of time more and more over time.

Soon I was able to run 30 minutes solid, then 45, then 60 minutes without stopping. I ran a 5K in September of 2011 with a time of just over 31 minutes. Though, I'm convinced I could have done better except that it was at Disneyland and I got totally distracted by the backstage areas and definitely slowed my pace to look around. lol

I then started an actual training schedule (Hal Higdon) and ran a 7-K in October at an approximate 10 minutes per mile pace and then ran a 10-K in November at a 9:30 minutes per mile pace.

I'm now training for my first half marathon in April and just ran 10.5 miles without stopping, at a 10:18 minutes per mile pace last Sunday. (I'm still working on getting my pace back after being sick and/or had a leg infection for almost all of January and was forced sedentary)

I've truly gone from nothing to double digit steady runs. And I have four more races planned this year. The Bay to Breakers, which is a 12-K but I just have to do that race at least once in my life, the Disneyland 5-K with friends, The Disneyland Half and then I'll be coaching a coworker through Couch to 5K to get her ready to run her very first 5-K this November, at her request.

It hasn't been a success on my weight, in terms of loss, I'm pretty much the same weight as I was when I started. But when I ran the 10-K in November I was leaner and more muscular that I'd previously been. And that's what I'm currently working back towards with my training plan again.

Six months ago I could hardly walk 10 mins without stopping! I lost some weight now I can run a mile in 13 mins! I have only been running for about 3 weeks now! I LOVE IT NOW! My time will grown for sure! My first 5k is Mothers Day! You can do it!

Great thread. I started C2k5 in October of '09. I could barely breathe after attempting 30 seconds of running. By the end of the program, I ran my first 5K in 41 minutes. I have since completed two half marathons, run the Peachtree Road Race, participated in two Warrior Dashes and am currently trying to qualify for the Half Fanatics. I run road races every chance I get (5Ks). I love the way I feel after a run. There is nothing like it.

Additionally, I am down 33 pounds and recently had myself "dunked". The guy performing the weighing process said, You must be an athlete. You've got a lot of muscle." To which I replied, I'm a runner. He said, oh, yeah, that's it. So while I am still aiming to lose some more weight, I found out that I will be at my "optimal weight" after losing only about another 20 pounds, not the 40 or more that I originially thought I needed to lose!!! YAY!!!

If I can do it, anyone can!!! Believe me!!!

I started running in 2009 and finished my first half marathon. I have run many more and finished the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2011. I have lost some weight , but more importantly I gained a lot of self esteem and many friends along the way. I have more weight to lose, but I do not let that stop me from setting high goals. I recently starting cycling and will take on triathlons later this year.

When I first started running I was at a running expo and Bart Yasso autographed a book for me... he wrote, "never limit where running can take you." I firmly believe that. It is more than fitness.

I ran the Chicago Marathon in 2003 and 2004, and the half-marathon in 2007, a dozen or so 5k's and 10k's at that time as well. From experience, please follow training tips from people like Hal Higdon. Take it easy, do what you can. As others have said, your capacity and endurance builds slowly, but it does build. I didn't follow Higdon's advice for the marathons, and my knees have suffered for it ever since. I'd love to get back into running, but at 53, I'm switching to the bike because of the low-impact. Good luck!

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I started running again last march and completed a 5k on May and my 1st 1/2 in September. I have lost aprox 25lbs. In 2 week I will run Arount The Bay which is a 30k and in May I will run another 1/2. I have picked up running and stopped many times over the past 5 years and this time it finally clicked. I have been running for 1 year straight now. This is the longest that I have EVER maintained any form of physical activity.

I have benefitted in so many ways. I have so much more strenght and confidance. I am finally putting my health 1st and it feels AWESOME!

I started running August 2011 and it took me a little over 30 minutes to finish two miles. I ran my first 10k in Feb for a time of 01:00:34. Last weekend I did a practice half marathon run in ~2.5 hours. Somewhere along the way I went from "I'll just try this running thing" to planning my running routes before I go on vacation. Plus between running and eating better, I've lost 30+ lbs.

After I had my first child I was trying to get rid of my baby weight, and my sister in law asked me if I wanted to do a 5k with her, so I thought, "sure, that could help the lbs move". I followed a training schedule (not very religiously), and found out I was pregnant with my second. I thought of backing out, but changed my mind, thinking "you've been training anyhow, just finish what you've started", and now, I am soo glad I did. When I did my first 5k, I was 12 weeks pregnant, and it was great! The sense of accomplishment was undescribable, and after I crossed the finish line, I knew I wanted to do it again. I did my second 5k when I was 19 weeks (and very noticabley!) pregnant, and at about 4km's, someone said something to me that changed my life. I had slowed for a walk, and a lady came up behind me and started walking with me and said, "I've been trying to keep up with you this entire race; I keep telling myself, if that pregnant lady can do it, so can you. You are my inspiration"! I couldn't believe it! Having someone call me their inspiration totally inspired me. We finished the race together, and I finished that race as "a runner". After I had my baby and got the ok from my doctor, I started training again, and I did 2 5k races, and when my daughter was 10 months old, I ran my first half marathon and finished in 2 hours, 9 mins. I'm training for another half, and have another one scheduled for this summer. I love running and setting new goals for myself; it's changed my life.

After I had my first child I was trying to get rid of my baby weight, and my sister in law asked me if I wanted to do a 5k with her, so I thought, "sure, that could help the lbs move". I followed a training schedule (not very religiously), and found out I was pregnant with my second. I thought of backing out, but changed my mind, thinking "you've been training anyhow, just finish what you've started", and now, I am soo glad I did. When I did my first 5k, I was 12 weeks pregnant, and it was great! The sense of accomplishment was undescribable, and after I crossed the finish line, I knew I wanted to do it again. I did my second 5k when I was 19 weeks (and very noticabley!) pregnant, and at about 4km's, someone said something to me that changed my life. I had slowed for a walk, and a lady came up behind me and started walking with me and said, "I've been trying to keep up with you this entire race; I keep telling myself, if that pregnant lady can do it, so can you. You are my inspiration"! I couldn't believe it! Having someone call me their inspiration totally inspired me. We finished the race together, and I finished that race as "a runner". After I had my baby and got the ok from my doctor, I started training again, and I did 2 5k races, and when my daughter was 10 months old, I ran my first half marathon and finished in 2 hours, 9 mins. I'm training for another half, and have another one scheduled for this summer. I love running and setting new goals for myself; it's changed my life.

That is so cool. You must have been beaming for days! :flowerforyou:

Started around 218lb on the 24th of January this year, running on the treadmill with C25K.
It HURT, a LOT.
Now I'm about to start week 7, I am down 8lb, and lots of inches.
It really hurt so much at first. I have been strength training in my legs and core especially to help that, and about week 4 or 5 everything just "clicked" and it became much MUCH easier. My breathing is happening naturally, my legs are behaving.
I love what I can do now. 20 minutes run with only a 3 minute walk?! 7 weeks ago I would have laughed you out of town.

After I finish the C25K I'm going to do it over, outside. I want to run a 5k in under 30 minutes, so lots and lots more training to go!

I started C25K weighing in the 190s (I think I was around 195 ish at the time, possibly a bit more) sometime in March of this year. I finished the program in mid-July and ran a 5K on July 28. I currently weigh 173 and am doing the C210K program (started in week 9 as a continuation of C25K). At first, I could barely run for one minute. This morning, I ran 3 15 minute segments of running separated by 1 minute of walking. I am slow, but I can do it.

I started running again a month ago. I thought since I did it so much when I was younger I'd pick it up again easily. NO! I was wheezing and out of breath in under 5 minutes at a jogging pace. Ouch! My ego! Well, I decided to keep at it & not miss a day, no matter what (heck if I can't find 5 minutes in a day, right? lol) Well, 4 weeks later I can go an hour without stopping. I'm still only jogging at 5mph, but it's definitely improvement & I'm not giving up.