Graduated!! Only took 2 years....

[sharon7211]

Hello! I started the C25K programme 2 years ago and ended up having to take some time off and re-do weeks over and over due to a hamstring injury I picked up in December 2012. I finally graduated about 3 weeks ago, but running for half-an-hour straight is still incredibly painful and I'm starting to think that running without any kind of walk-break isn't for me. Following my graduation run (I've done about 4 runs-without-stopping since then) I've been reading up about the Galloway technique and feeling much more benefit from doing that. I run for 4, walk for 1, and I find that I need that one minute, even if it's just to blow my nose. I also finish stronger and find that my finishing time is actually around the same time or slightly faster. Anyway, I've just requested my C25K Graduate badge, I'm in the process of ordering a Graduate T-shirt, and in 6 weeks I'm doing the very last 5K Race for Life this year at Haydock Park. I've also signed up for the Wigan 10K in September, and next year I aim to do my first half-marathon.

This programme has changed my life and I can no longer imagine NOT running. It's just unfortunate at the moment that I'm having to take 2 weeks' rest whilst I have an achy knee, so I'm hoping that NOT running, and some painkillers, and some R.I.C.E. will do the trick! Better not running for 2 weeks than ploughing on regardless and doing months, possibly years' worth of damage.

Thanks to everyone on this forum - I haven't contributed any posts since I started but I love reading everyone's experiences and it really does help!

[NaughtyNanna Graduate]

Well done for completing the programme Sharon7211! I think you are being very sensible especially as you have a bad knee. I remember when I first started last year, I got to week 3 and injured my knee, but foolishly carried onto week 4 - it took 4 weeks of rest til I could get back to running again. Like you, I am much more cautious now. Hope you will be better soon, look forward to reading about your ghost grad runs, happy running x

[NaughtyNanna Graduate in reply to NaughtyNanna]

Sorry 'post grad runs' - the wonders of predictive text!!!

[Treemouse Graduate]

Well done for sticking with it and getting that badge. Also, many thanks for coming and saying hello I have just graduated too, and signed up for the 10K R4L in July. I think that there's a chance I'll be walking a portion of that, especially as my calf has started to play up. Please keep us posted, and don't be a stranger