Just graduated - thanks to everyone here!

[gtmoore]

Hi All

Yesterday I finished W9R3 after starting C25K in early March. I started it after joining Slimming World (which in turn was after from stern words from my GP about getting my act together).

So since then from being an overweight zero exercise person (I have never even tried running before) I can now run 5km (in a little over 30 mins) and have lost two stone. I also no longer take blood pressure tablets.

Whilst I haven't found any of the runs easy, I have been constantly amazed at how the C25K program hasn't failed in any respect - each new week I've managed to do the extra Laura demanded of me despite not believing that I could from how I felt after the previous run. My only modification to the routine suggested is that in the later weeks I've found that I feel much better with two or three rest days between runs and my times also improve.

And after each run I'd check the forum here and be encouraged that I'd be able to do the next one. Without that I doubt I would have continued with it so a very big thank you.

So I'm really looking forward to my holidays this year. Last year I went away on a big family holiday, my twenty something nieces would head out for a run along the beach in Majorca before breakfast and I'd wonder why on earth they did it. This year when we go away again, I'll be running with them (assuming they don't mind their wheezing red faced 48 year old uncle tagging along!).

Thanks again to all on the forum

Gavin

[Jaqs99 Graduate]

Wahey. Go Gavin! Congratulations! Enjoy your post grad running... And setting the pace for those nieces on holiday

[Hidden]

Well done Gavin. Great results on many fronts. You should have a wonderful holiday being fitter and healthier.

[spoonierunning Graduate]

Congratulations

[Hidden]

Gavin - congratulations on completing the programme and on your amazing weight loss! What an acheivement, on both parts. I bet you feel so much better for it

[misswobble Graduate]

Well done Gav! I'm sure your fitness and weight will continue to improve and you'll want to keep running and eating healthily. Getting fitter means you can explore that bit further on your runs and it opens up all sorts of possibilities.

I think you're wise about extra rest days. Give your body the time it needs to repair. I started fitting in one extra run a week but it's resulted in injury so I've dropped it back down to three times a week with only one longer run each week now.

[grannyjudes Graduate]

Yay ! graduated ! well done. Im right behind you and cant wait. What an amazing programme and site this is. I think I agree that a little extra rest on the later weeks is a good idea, I am finding the same , mind you my body soon tells when I need to get off the couch! I ran Tues afternoon, not morning as usual and planned on running this am, so not quite the full day break, do you know my body knows Im not quite ready, so will leave it until Fri am .

A brilliant post by the way GTM

[runner56 Graduate]

Well done. Fantastic achievement

Enjoy your holidays

[Pigivi]

Well done! And enjoy the runs on the beach under the sun... followed by a lovely swim in WARM water.... - wish I could come along!!!

[Tomas Graduate]

Congratulations! Well done you!

[Hidden]

Well done Gavin - enjoy those runs on the beach!

[AncientMum Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating Gavin. What a great story. Know of a couple of people who've combined c25k with Slimmers World and had really good result. Good luck with your future running adventure, especially the running on the beach

[gtmoore Graduate]

Thanks to all for the very kind wishes!

I certainly plan to keep running - I'm not sure whether I'm looking to go faster or for longer. I would like to be able to run longer distances but then I like the 5k 'package' - where one can have run, stretched and showered in pretty much an hour which makes it easy to integrate into everyday activities.

I love the feeling after I've finished the run - it's very addictive. I just wish I found the actual running bit easier. Hopefully in time.

Cheers

Gavin

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Bravo! Congratulations - feels amazing doesn't it!