It’s already week seven of our first Get Running course and thousands of readers have nearly completed their transformation into fully fledged runners.
We’re really excited about our partnership with parkrun and are hoping to meet lots of Get Running graduates at its free 5km events on Saturday, March 15th. Be sure to check out parkrun.ie to see if there is an event near you: parkrun takes place at 10 locations around the country every Saturday morning at 9.30. To make sure you get a time for your run, register in advance on the website and be sure to bring your barcode along on the day.
For those doing the course, here are some stories from runners to keep you inspired:
'I turned 40 last year and decided I'd challenge myself to do something every month that I'd never done before. After a year of new experiences, I ran out of ideas. Seeing your piece in the IT , I quickly moved on and prayed that some other idea would come along and inspire me. But it didn't and in the dying days of 2013, I signed up, not expecting to last a week, never mind eight.
“Here was the girl who had avoided strenuous sporting activity throughout her schooldays and for whom walking was the exercise of choice in recent years. And now at 40, she was going to ‘run’ for 30 minutes?
“First night out wasn’t fun. I headed for the Phoenix Park with a hand-held torch and a stopwatch with fiddly buttons. Half-way through I was light-headed. I made it home and collapsed on the bed, but even then, all I could think about was if I’d be able for a two-minute run. The next night, I ‘ran’ along Conyngham Road. Still flat terrain, but no torch needed. I was hooked. But it hasn’t been easy or pain-free – the most painful experience was getting caught in a shower of hail a few weekends ago.
“When people ask how it’s going, I find myself hesitating before telling them how many minutes I’m doing. I almost can’t believe I’m talking about me. Just wait till I tell them it’s 30 minutes.”
Karen Sweeney
‘I love my running log. I was always into diaries as a little girl, but often struggle at the ‘how did it feel’ question. If you asked me halfway through the run it would not be the way I feel when completing the log.
“I have always been in awe of people who stated they ‘just went out for a run’ in a nonchalant manner. I desperately tried to complete a one-hour walk at a brisk pace three times a week. Working full-time and being a mother of two young children made this difficult, so the double buggy was my answer, but it has had its day.
"When I saw the Get Running programme in The Irish Times I knew it was the perfect time for me. I am thrilled with how far I have gone; my goal is to be able to run for 30 minutes without collapsing. When I complete my 15-minute run at the weekend I plan to treat myself to new running gear.
“So how does it feel ? So far, I’m really enjoying the challenge, the programme is excellent, the videos, stories and homework are exactly what I need and I’m totally thrilled with myself. Just don’t ask me halfway through my run.”
Ann Patton
