Case Study - Ellie

I would be the very first to admit that I am a 25 year old couch potato, after a full day at work the last thing I want to do is exercise. Like so many, I pay £30+ a month for a gym membership, go religiously for two weeks and then don’t step foot in there again for another 3 months.

When lockdown happened my partner started Couch to 5k and, at first, I didn’t join in. I just didn’t have the confidence to do it. I would go along and walk with him whilst he ran. Then one day I decided to go for it and I only had to run for 90 seconds at a time but I found it really hard! It seems crazy looking back and thinking that I found that difficult, but the truth of the matter is I was so unfit! I usually drive everywhere and work at a desk all day, so I naturally live a very sedentary lifestyle.

But despite how much I struggled at the start, I stuck with it. I’ve now completed the full programme and I cannot believe I can honestly say that just 8 weeks after struggling to run for 90 seconds, I am running for 30 minutes several times a week.

Is it hard? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely! Not only am I seeing the physical benefits of keeping active, but it has been key to keeping my mental health in a good place too. On days when I’m feeling sluggish, I drag myself out for a run and it completely changes my mood and lifts me for the rest of the day.

The brilliant thing about couch to 5k is that you really do start off so easily and you can go at your own pace until you’re ready to step it up a gear. You don’t need anything other than a pair of trainers (and a good sports bra for the ladies) and you get such a great workout!

Lockdown has been difficult for many of us and I have had my days, sometimes weeks, where I just couldn’t get motivated, but I’m so delighted that when I look back on this time, I will feel proud that I have achieved something I never thought I would.

I pledge that moving forward, I will make the time to carry on running, pushing myself to go further and make sure I remember all the benefits it has given me.