Hurray! It took a year but it's been worth it.

[kjm20]

I completed my first10k this morning and it feels wonderful. Such a beautiful morning as well - a very frosty start with sunshine from 7k onwards.

It's been a year since I finished C25K - several injuries post-consolidation so this was the 4th attempt to go the whole way. I posted last week when I got to 9k as I thought something might still come along to stop me getting there. I got some really positive, lovely replies which gave me confidence for the final push.

I miscalculated converting miles to kilometres so ended up doing 10.32k. My 10k time was just under 1hr 17mins, a good time for me. I felt quite strong at the end but pretty whacked now, 2 hrs later.

Heartfelt thanks for all the wonderful advice and support on here. I don't know what I'm going to do next - I think this may be my distance limit, but you never know. I feel so happy....

[Hidden]

Absolutely brilliant. Well done kjm20. Enjoy your achievement 👍

I can recall aching for a few days too.

You will be signing up for the Half Marathon plan before you know it 😁

[kjm20 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Runforjoy. Good run for you this morning. Best of luck for the HM!

[hamit Graduate10]

Well done,👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[kjm20 Graduate10 in reply to hamit]

Thankyou hamit - I'm still on cloud 9 😊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations to you kjm20 on completing your first 10K, well done. To get your graduation badge and the word GRADUATE10 next to your username leave a message in the pinned posts on the right side of the Healthunlocked January B210K graduation home page and tell the administrators that you have ran your first 10K, now go and celebrate your wonderful achievement 🏃🏾 👍 🎓

[kjm20 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Ah, so excited at finally managing to get there that I forgot about my badge. Thanks for much for the reminder.

[Roxdog Graduate10]

This is fantastic and such an achievement. You should be very proud that you overcame injuries and did this. I love 10ks! You can really get in the zone on these long runs!

[kjm20 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Aw, thanks for your lovely message. I'm looking forward to running it again 😊

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That’s fantastic 🤩. Well done! Getting to 10k is a real milestone so enjoy putting your feet up and feeling all warm and fuzzy 😊.

[kjm20 Graduate10]

Thank-you Frenc, such a nice message 😊

[nowster Graduate10]

Well done! It's a great milestone to hit, especially after so many setbacks. 👍

Take it easy for a little while. I'm sure you'll be wanting to repeat it soon.

Nearly a year after doing my first 10km run, I now do two a week! It's a really nice distance to do.

[kjm20 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Many thanks nowster. I agree, it is a nice distance to run. I've noticed that for the longer runs I've done, 8k+, it's been easier to settle into them and just enjoy without thinking of the finishing line because that seems so far away.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to kjm20]

Runs longer than an hour are great aerobic exercise too.

[Lizcanrun Graduate10]

WELL DONE!!! Enjoy the buzz 🥂🎉👏

[kjm20 Graduate10 in reply to Lizcanrun]

Many thanks 😊

[Wondermoon07]

Exceptional work! Well done you! Remember only a fraction of people who start c25k complete it, and even less carry on running afterwards. I hope you're so so proud of yourself

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Wondermoon07]

Hi Wondermoon07. I know a few people who start C25K give up at around week 4, however, what makes you think that "only a fraction of people who start C25K complete it", have you any statistics or proof regarding how many complete the course.?

[kjm20 Graduate10 in reply to Wondermoon07]

Thank-you! I'm pretty proud 😇

[Woollyweaver Graduate10]

Brilliant, well done you! You will be a stronger and wiser runner for your struggles to 10k. Onwards and upwards 👏🥳

[kjm20 Graduate10 in reply to Woollyweaver]

You may be right, many thanks 😊

[LadyAlba]

Well done and thank you for your post. I've started and then deleted three 10k training plans in recent months. They all seem to be so rigid and I just can't keep to their schedule, especially when on the day I can run they want a short sprint when I'm in the mood (and have the time) for a long one. So frustrating. I was getting it into my head that 10k was beyond me. You've inspired me to push on slowly without a rigid twelve week target looming over me.

[kjm20 Graduate10 in reply to LadyAlba]

Thank you LadyAlba. Like you, I've never been able to keep to a plan that specifies certain runs on certain days. I used the magic plan, tried to run 3 times a week and varied the order of 3k, 5k and long runs according to what fitted for me depending on time available and how I was feeling. The 3 runs would often extend beyond a week - maybe more of a 9/10 day cycle. This is what I'll continue to do, in time maybe gradually increasing the distance of the long runs to see how far I can get. Good luck with the 10k - you'll get there.

[HeavyFoot Graduate10]

Perhaps do one every couple of weeks until it becomes a handlable (is that a word) distance in your repertoire.

Let me drop the seed of 10 miles into your head 😈

[kjm20 Graduate10 in reply to HeavyFoot]

Ah, I think that seed has instantly began to germinate....