... it's been a long journey and I'm pleased to say that I've just come back from W9R1 and I'm feeling great!! I went out on Saturday morning for W8R3 and had to stop after 12 minutes as I had a terrible pain in the lower left side of my back. I figured it wouldn't do much good to keep running on it, so I stopped. I felt quite disappointed to have had to stop, but I went for a long walk on Saturday afternoon to try and loosen up my back - I started off limping a little, then the pain seemed to start to wear off. Yesterday I gave my back a complete rest and did some stretches and this morning I woke up with no pain at all so thought I should give Week 9 a go (somewhat tentatively). BUT I didn't have any trouble with my back today, so fingers crossed it was just a one off! It feels like such an achievement, and having completed the run once today, I'm confident that graduation will be possible on Friday
Additionally, I measured my run on a map today and if my calculations are correct I managed 5k in the 30 minutes - another big achievement contributing to my happy mood! My final achievement is that I've lost a smidgen under 9kg since I started Couch to 5K
Hoping to lose the extra grams this week so I hit 9kg in 9 weeks, but happy with the loss nonetheless!! Anyway, a very happy post from me today! Keep up the good work everyone
On the home straight ...: ... it's been a long... - Couch to 5K
On the home straight ...
![ra220 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/9b8d18b20fb513100ca3b555657164a0_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![ra220 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/9b8d18b20fb513100ca3b555657164a0_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![josielle profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/da73755328c42b2f5abd6bf1537586a5_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Well done! I am nowhere near 5kand I'm starting wk8 tomorrow. I reckon I only manage two km in 25mins. I told my workmates and they laughed. All are sedentary I hasten to add. I also have only run outdoors a few times because I Find it so much more difficult so I am in awe of your completing five k already. To me that's sprint speed!
To be honest - I'm terrible with maps and anything technical - so there is a VERY high chance that I'm wrong!! But I'm pleased with the fact I can manage 30 minutes. Everyone on here emphasises that it is about building stamina and running for longer periods of time each week - not necessarily about the number of kilometers travelled! Sounds like you're doing great (and doing a lot more than your unsupportive colleagues!!) Keep it up
![josielle profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/da73755328c42b2f5abd6bf1537586a5_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Thanks ra. I can't believe that I'm jogging and that I love it. I'm very overweight so I am proud of myself. Glad you think distance can come in time. Cheered me up!
Isn't it amazing that some people (such as your work 'mates') think it is okay to mock your efforts to improve your wellbeing. Jealousy I reckon. Keep up your good progress, enjoy it. My best wishes to you.
Enjoy your graduation on Friday and be sure to let us all know how it went. Good luck. Best wishes.
![ra220 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/9b8d18b20fb513100ca3b555657164a0_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Thanks so much! I'm strangely looking forward to it! And I'm looking forward to getting my 'graduate' badge