I did it ...... but the dog needs to rerun W9R3!

[Funnygirl3]

W9R3 completed tonight ..... but my faithful canine companion throughout this journey had to bail out half way through! Bella my 12 year old Springer was just too tired to complete our graduation run and had to be collected en route (I didn't stop running)!! She's fine but preferred her nice warm bed to the dark evening.

A few thoughts of reflection:

I started out about 11 weeks ago feeling fat and so out of shape, boy did I wobble as I ran I re-did week 1 because I hadn't the confidence to approach week 2 in such bad shape. I've only lost a couple of pounds over the course, but the wobble has gone and I feel so much more alert. Hopefully as my speed increases some extra pounds will be shed

This community has got me through the programme - just dipping in and out over the weeks seeing how everyone has got on has given me such inspiration and support. Thanks to you all

Trust in the programme and listen to Laura! It really does work - the music may not always be to taste but I never felt I could abandon Laura - and will probably catch up with her once a week on future runs

My village has more inclines than I ever realised when I was walking or driving - difficult at times but ultimately good for the stamina. The downhill bits are a welcome relief and reward.

I'll never be a marathon or half marathon runner but to be able to run for 30 minutes ....... and enjoy 25 of them is fantastic.

So onwards and upwards. I've still to reach 5k in the 30 minutes, and am still finding the last 2/3 minutes hard but I will persevere, I've got my 5k route mapped out and that's the next target..... for Bella too

[SarahP0003 Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating!!! Maybe your dog will graduate next time or maybe you'll have to go solo now that you'll be doing longer runs? I run with my dog but I'm a very long way from tiring her out

[Kittychops]

Had to laugh. Well done! I'm with Bella at the moment!

[Mazzero Graduate]

Congratulations and well done to you both. Best wishes for your post grad running

[yrunning1 Graduate]

Fantastic - well done, you should be really proud of yourself!!

[lizziebeth57 Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating. Lovely post too. good luck with your next goal of getting to 5k, sure you will get there soon. I am still aiming for that too, not in 30 minutes though!

[orangemadmeg Graduate]

Well done!! I've just finished too and like you can't manage the 5k in 30 minutes, I'm determined to do it though. Hope you and Bella manage it too! X

[Hidden]

Well done for completing the course its a pity Bella didn't make it but she deserves a big pat on the back for being with you for the majority of the course. Don't get hooked up on trying to do 5K in 30 minutes if you do great but the main part now is to enjoy your running. The best time i have done is 31m 26s for 5K and i average 35m so i have decided if it happens it happens so i have set a new target to extend the distance to 10K so i do 2 5K runs a week and one where i increase the distance i have been doing this for 3 weeks and have got to 6.5K. So my advice is to set targets for yourself and enjoy running.

[redfacewoman Graduate]

Many congrats I looked at your post as we too have a mad springer Peady who's five he came with me ONCE but I had to abandon the run cos he wouldn't get out the river ! Well done to you x

[Markee Graduate in reply to redfacewoman]

Don't they just love water! We used to have a springer -he was a lovely dog, miss him still now, 10 months later.

[Funnygirl3 Graduate]

Thanks everyone for your support.

Bella and I are having a rest day today. Will start the next stage of our challenge at the weekend.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Aaaahhhhh bless her, Bella that is. In doggy years I think I'm right in saying she is 84 so she's doing very well. She was probably just like us humans "having a bad run" Well done you on your graduation I'm sure your 5K won't be long in being reached too. Congratulations to you both.

[Joanne44]

Congratulations, it's a real achievement, you should be really proud of yourself!! Poor wee Bella, at 84 in dog years I don't blame her bailing out on a dark evening. Not sure my 70 dog years old spaniel would manage either. Joanne