A rather special graduation run

[bjammin]

So when I first started this programme my wife and I had signed ourselves up for a charity run to keep up motivation and minimise the chances of quitting. This was before I was bitten by the running bug.

Due to holidays and extra rest days it turned out my graduation run would fall on the day of the charity run. This was on Saturday 17th Aug. I was a little nerevous as I had never done a charity run (or any real sporting event) at all. That week I had run 5k twice just to see how long it would take on 'the day'. My best time was 35 minutes which I was happy with.

We went to the run, weather was cool and dry which was great as I was worried about the heat because I run in the evenings and was worried about the 11am start. There were about 300 runners or so and the atmosphere was good. It was a family fun run so lots of families, fancy dress, serious runners, etc.

Once we started I tried to keep my pace in check with runkeeper as it was a fast start to get out of peoples way and I didn't want to tire myself out in the first 2k. It makes such a difference running with other people. I had heard this before but could never understand. The drive that I had to keep going at the same speed was unbelievable. Yes I felt a little out of breath and a stitch was threatening a few times but none of it stopped me. Some people were stopping, walking then running but I was determined to run the whole 5k.

Runkeeper was slightly out with the distance (5k showed as 4.96k) but there were markers for how long was left. The lovely surroundings and people on the sides clapping and cheering was amazing and like nothing I have felt before. I gave it my all for the last half k and knew that crossing the finish line was a great finish to the race but also to the C25K programme.

Before the run, my main goals where to run the entire way and to try and beat my personal best of 35 minutes.

I am so happy to say I did both! I ran the 5k in 30 minutes!! Was so happy and the buzz was amazing. It was a great run and even better as it was my graduation run. My wife ran it in 42 mins which I thought was great seeing as she stopped the C25k in week 3 due to a fracture of the foot. I want to keep my motivation high and continue to run. I aim to run 5k three times a week and am now thinking about running a 10k before the end of the year.

I am so happy I started the programme and love running! Thanks to Laura, the C25k programme and my wife for getting me started!

Good luck to all those who are on the same path. Trust the programme and keep running!

[Aftabs Graduate]

Well done, that must be one of the best graduation run stories I have ever read! Contragulations.

[Mazzero Graduate]

Congratulations and well done to you both. So pleased to hear that you had a great day and reached your goal. You'll be doing 10k quite soon I think. Good luck

[Carolecal]

Congratulations ,what a great way to graduate !

Well done to your wife for completing the charity run too.

Happy future running .

[RuthP Graduate]

Congratulations! I am new but can't wait to get that feeling too

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Congratulations. What a lovely way to finish.

[MrsMozzer Graduate]

Congratulations! I should graduate (fingers crossed) in about 3 weeks time and decided to use the local Parkrun as a way of getting used to running with a group. It encouraged me to keep a steady pace so that I didn't feel completely wrecked at the end, and has been a great encouragement.

I'm sure you'll have no problems with the runs you're aiming to do and good luck with moving on to the 10k!!

[Beek Graduate]

BRILLIANT - and congratulations! Lovely positive blog!

[bjammin Graduate]

thanks to you all for your kind words!

Its a shame there are no parkruns near me and the local running club only runs at times I can't make so will have to find some others to run with as my wife finds running too high impact!

Gotta keep that motivation up!

[RokensWife Graduate]

Well done! How lovely for you to be able to do a charity run as your graduation run. May I just ask, what is run keeper? X

[bjammin Graduate in reply to RokensWife]

Runkeeper is an app on my iphone (maybe also on android?) that tracks my runs. It maps where you run, measures distance, speed, time, etc. I find it useful to put that on in the background and it gives me shout outs each kilometre for how I'm doing. The basic version is free, you should take a look

[Mini13 Graduate]

Congrats, keep up the good work!!!

[Mini13 Graduate]

Congrats, keep up the good work!!!