Graduated! Didn't think I was going to get there....

[joolsp]

I finally did it! I switched Laura for my own music from W7, R2, and was running every other day for around 30 mins til the end of W8. All was going well until my youngest was off school sick for the whole of last week, bless him. Meant that running on my days off were scuppered, and the evenings were lost as I was having to go in to cover the work I was missing ☹. By the weekend I'd only done R1 of W9 and had lost my mojo and though I'd planned to get up early Sat morning to fit in a run before my husband was out for the day, I just couldn't get up!!

Fast forward to a cold, damp Saturday evening, I was fiddling with my iPod and half heartedly putting together a playlist when I had a read through some of the great posts on here, gave myself a stern talking to! I got my trainers on, found Laura's last podcast and just did it! last run was yesterday evening and though I won't cover myself in glory with the time I did 5K in the length of the podcast, including the walks either side.

As many on here have already said, it's an amazing feeling going from wheezing 60 second bursts to running 30 mins continuously, and actually enjoying it!! I'm off to treat myself to a new pair of trainers as a graduation present, as my poor knees could benefit from some more cushioning, but to anyone who's at the beginning of this process, just keep going, it really works!! And yes it's hard at times but it's much more mental effort rather than physical, especially in the later weeks. And thanks to all who kept posting their inspirational stories - if it wasn't for you I'd STILL be at the kitchen table fiddling with my iPod!

[cheeki119]

Well done! I'm only wk3d2 but I want to say you're inspiring me! any plans on what to move on to? need to give those new trainers a goal hehe xx well done again! x

[joolsp Graduate in reply to cheeki119]

Thanks Cheeki! Yes am now the proud owner of a pair of very loud coloured trainers for the mildly overpronated - explains the knee pain as the pair I'd been running in were for neutral gait, which I have when I walk....... That should give me enough motivation for the next couple of weeks as they claim to improve your speed - though that's not hard given my current snail pace! Then I guess I either need to look for a 5k race or parkrun, or up my game to 10k. For now I'm just planning to keep at it with the C25K+ podcasts to see if I can pick up the pace a little. Good luck with the rest of the programme, if you haven't yet, there will come a point where you look forward to runs, something I hadn't anticipated when I started! Will be looking out for your graduation post in another 6 weeks or so! x

[redrunning Graduate]

Well done joolsp!! Congratulations on graduating, with all of those obstacles hindering you, and your little poorly man too.

Good for you for getting out there and finishing!!

[joolsp Graduate in reply to redrunning]

Thanks Red - as so many people have said, the hardest bit's getting your trainers on and getting out of the door! I'm terrible for starting exercise at full throttle and then fizzling out after a few weeks, so was determined to see this through and now think I've got the bug! And fortunately poor man better now so no more excuses.........

[misswobble Graduate]

Marvellous news! That really is great going and I congratulate you on graduating. You need to apply for your virtual graduate badge by the way. You apply for it via the help button at the top of the page

Great feeling isn't it. Well done!

[joolsp Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks Misswobble, yes it feels great and I've got the bug (and the new trainers!) so no more excuses, want to see if I can ever get to 5K in 30 mins - or at least enjoy trying. Have now applied for badge, thanks - hope to see it alongside my username soon! How long since you graduated? Do you ever find it hard to stay motivated now? Any tips gratefully received.......

[Jenwrenarm Graduate]

Congratulations Jools! Well done for getting out there and finishing against all the odds. Bet you feel amazing!

[joolsp Graduate in reply to Jenwrenarm]

Thanks Jen, yes it's great, just looking forward to the badge alongside my username now!

[suzybenj Graduate]

Big congratulations and well done.

[misswobble Graduate]

I stay motivated as I run every other day. I daren't leave it any longer than that as I think I'd seize up! I have moved on, still with Laura, to C25K+ podcasts (available from the NHS Live Well website) Three separate podcasts for C25k graduates.

[OlsBean]

Massive Congratulations, well done