Have I really graduated?

[bethto5k]

So I sorta abandoned the podcasts a while back, because I prefer to run to my own music. Recently I've been doing three mile runs with no stopping! I'm immensely proud of myself and I don't know of that counts as an official graduation but...

So I thought I'd make a post about my journey to get to this point.

I started the c25k because I used to run, but stopped when I started uni. When I say I used to run, it wasn't anything major.... I was nowhere near a 5k and in reality it was a half-attempt over the summer. But I liked running, and I wanted to give it a proper go.

I benefit a lot from structure, so I knew the c25k would be my running breakthrough. I loved the interval aspect at the start - it meant I wasn't going too fast and getting discouraged when I inevitably failed.

Over the next three months (nine weeks definitely didn't happen for me) I fell in love with running. Now, I enjoy runs. I think about running all the time. When I see a pretty place I think 'I would love to run there' and for me that's amazing.

The c25k was hard, I won't deny that. I had to repeat week four and it took me numerous attempts to do the final run of week six. I am so so so glad I didn't give up back then, because I've just got back in from my best run yet and I feel amazing. Thirty whole minutes! When a few weeks ago I almost passed out after five!

I feel very, very good and I look forward to furthering this progress even more!

[Hidden]

You've been posting regularly on here and you have done most of the weeks in C25K before using your own method for the final two or three week. I personally think you are a graduate if you've done the equivalent of the runs in the programme. I reckon it's worth asking admin is you can have your badge. Well done and look forward to seeing your official graduation post. By the way, I'm another one who likes structure so I'm going on to do the Stepping Stones, Speed and Stamina podcasts. Good luck and best wishes.

[bethto5k Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Do I just post on the graduate thread to get the badge? Ah I'm so excited to see that little box beside my username!

I might look into those podcasts! Thank you very much

[Hidden in reply to bethto5k]

There is a pinned post to the right of this page for Graduation Badges. Just ask on there. The podcasts I mentioned are still with Laura so you get some continuation for the time being. Cheers.

[Beyond Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hi. I am new to the forum so still learning things. Do you mind telling me what is stepping stones, speed and stamina podcasts? Sorry, if I sound naive.

[Hidden in reply to Beyond]

Hi and welcome. If you look on the NHS website under Choices/Livewell and go into the running page then you will see that there are three further podcasts for those who have completed the C25K. These podcasts are follow ons to make further progress after you've finished the C25K. They are Called Stepping Stones, Speed and Stamina and are designed to improve your speed and distance. If you have an MP3 player then you can simply download them from the NHS site to your computer and from your computer copy them onto the MP3 player. I don't know if they are available as an app for a phone - others may be able to tell you this so it might be worth you putting up a post of your own in this context. Cheers.

[Beyond Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your response.

[bethto5k Graduate]

Anybody can be a winner if they put their minds to it! thank you so much!

[Alaiyo Graduate]

Congratulations! You did in fact go from not running (couch) to 5K, and that totally counts. I am delighted to hear that you are having such a grand time with it. Keep it up!

[bethto5k Graduate in reply to Alaiyo]

Yes I'm loving it thank you

[kickibro Graduate]

Woo hoo! You did it! Well done on completing your journey from the couch to 5k xxx

[bethto5k Graduate in reply to kickibro]

Yup! thank you!

[Hidden]

Keep polishing that nice shiny badge. Well done, congratulations, many CHEERS. Enjoy your post grad runs. Best wishes.

[BethRF Graduate]

Absolutely a graduate, lovely! And well done- your story sound remarkably similar to mine!! Structure wise, I'm about to start the post 5k podcasts- the speed, stamina, stepping stones, etc, as I too benefit from structure. Without it, I've been a bit lost this last couple of weeks since graduating!

[bethto5k Graduate in reply to BethRF]

Yeah... Structure helps me motivation wise as well well done on graduating!