Mum of two Janet Griffiths from Denton joined the One You Couch to 5k virtual running community to keep fit and active whilst on furlough from work.
She found it so helpful she is now supporting Tameside Council in encouraging other people to try the challenge to help them get fit and active.
Janet said: “I never thought I’d be capable of doing a 5k but I’m feeling pretty damn proud of myself at the moment.
“Nine weeks ago I couldn’t run for 60 seconds and today I have finally completed my couch to 5k – can’t say it was particular easy but I did it!”
Janet who works for a Shopfitting Company in Dukinfield would normally spend her working days seated at her desk. Since being furloughed from work in March she decided that she’d spend her days improving her fitness and overall health rather than sitting watching TV.
She continued: “My daughters started doing the Couch to 5k and I thought, I will give it a go! So I downloaded the App and off I went.
“I started off at my local park where it was nice and quiet. The App is really easy to use and you choose your own celebrity trainer who motivates you throughout the programme. Week one starts off with a minute’s run and increases throughout the weeks.
“It is amazing how you can feel your fitness level increasing each week. Even though I have completed the programme I am going to continue running at my own pace, something I never thought I would say!”
The One You Couch to 5k app guides people through a nine week programme by encouraging them to run three times a week. This helps them to increase their running distance little by little so that by the time they arrive at week nine they are encouraged to run for half an hour, which is approximately 5k.
To download the One You Couch to 5K app visit: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/apps/
If you don’t have a smartphone, but would still like to follow the Couch to 5K programme then you can follow the Couch to 5k instructions on the NHS website. Search NHS couch to 5k.
