Graduation!!!

[Sherbear1979]

Week 9 Run 3 completed! I've always ran in the evening but with a busy day ahead and camping this weekend it was either this morning or wait until Monday. So I set out at 5:30am and I don't know if it was the coffee I chugged or the cool morning air, but it was a great run! Legs felt good, breathing was good and it was wonderfully peaceful out.

I really can't believe I can run for 30 minutes, 9 weeks ago this day seemed so far off but the weeks went by surprisingly quickly. Got to admit that I'm a bit sad that the program is done, it was actually a lot of fun. I'm slightly afraid of losing motivation now to go out and run for half an hour but I don't want to lose this amazing fitness I have gained so I'll keep plugging away.

Not sure what's next. I don't feel ready to move on to the 10k program just yet so I think I'll continue to run 3X per week for 30 minutes and try to get to 5K in that time (did not get anywhere near 5K today).

Thank you so much to everyone in this wonderful community for all your support and encouragement and for reassuring me when I struggled and felt discouraged. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this forum, it truly has made all the difference.

Now off to request my shiny green graduation badge!!

Happy running everyone.

Sherri

[Bandersnatch Graduate]

Well done

[Sherbear1979 Graduate in reply to Bandersnatch]

Thanks!

[lycranotlikely Graduate]

Congratulations! Hope to see your shiny badge soon.

[Sherbear1979 Graduate in reply to lycranotlikely]

Thank you, I hope to see the badge soon too, I'll be checking everyday...

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Well done Sherri, congratulations. Good luck I hope you have many years of happy running.

[Sherbear1979 Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Thank you, it feels good to join the ranks of the graduates. I wish you many years of happy running as well.

[Plinth Graduate]

Congratulations!

[Sherbear1979 Graduate in reply to Plinth]

Thanks!

[Stubbyp Graduate]

Congratulations, I'm also worried about ending the programme, I'm hoping to use the park run in Southampton on a Saturday morning to give me a purpose.

[Sherbear1979 Graduate in reply to Stubbyp]

Thanks, I have been pondering running a 5k race soon to keep my motivation up as well, just need to get up the courage.

[LMS2110 Graduate]

Brilliant news Sherri, well done and congratulations on graduating!

Great idea too, to just keep running approx 3 times a week to get to the elusive 5k. Two months after my graduation I'm doing just that too - have done lots of 30 mins and several 5ks but not on the same outing...awwww well, I'll keep plugging away. I'd like to do a ParkRun one day, but need to be assured I won't still be plodding round when the next week's race gets underway LOL. Linda x

[Sherbear1979 Graduate in reply to LMS2110]

Thank you Linda :). Good luck to us both on getting to that 5k in 30min, I'm sure we will get there one day. Lol, I hear you about the Parkrun, I have fears of being dead last and having the race all closed down with everyone gone home by the time I reach the finish line. I've been pondering running a 5k in a race in October but I've just got to get the nerve to sign up, I'm scared though lol. If I keep the running up though by October it should definitely be manageable though.

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating - a fantastic achievement!

[runningwild Graduate]

Well done Sherbear! bet you still feel great!!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Don't wait too long in trying a Parkrun, its not a race as such, its you against the clock. You run get your first time then every time you go its you against your own time to try and get a new PB. They are very much a friendly meeting place for like minded people of all abilities. All you have to do is register to get your barcode and turn up and run. Oh and enjoy it which I'm sure you will.

[Christine88 Graduate]

The next thing is to enter a 10k! I am also part of a running club which is really great. Our coach suggests adding 10% max to your distance per week. I got to 5k in March then did a 10k in May. So enjoy it. I now enjoy running 3 or 4 miles twice a week.

[Alex62 Graduate]

Congrats, it is hard to keep motivated, but as I graduated on Thursday, as you saw, the same time I signed up to a 5k run in Aug so will have to keep going. I am going to try the C25k+ otherwise just keep trying to increase my time by 1 min per run! Being Overweight it is very hard to keep up the speed!

[Oldgirl Graduate in reply to Alex62]

Well done you for signing up for Parkrun. Be kinder on yourself though to set a goal of even 30seconds faster is expecting an awful lot and could lead to frustration, enjoy the fact that you are a runner now and have years ahead of you to reach your goals. Good luck.

[bikergirl Graduate]

Huge well done. Good luck for whatever you choose to do in the future

[Wooddairy Graduate]

Congratulations! I did my grad run this morning. I would love to hear how you get on in the following weeks so let us know how your are progressing and what works well for you to get nearer the 5k as I need to do the same! Happy running x