I've only gone and done it!! Week 9 Run 3 completed

[cathymolly]

I am the queen of half finished keep-fit programmes. I must have a library of exercise DVDs and books all gathering dust on the book shelf which have looked reproachfully at me for the last 20 years. I have no idea how I got to this programme but I am so glad I did.

I hovered around this forum for several weeks reading all the inspiring and supportive posts before daring to try running for myself. I couldn't even complete W1R1 and thought it just proved I was too old (56) and too fat (14 stone) to ever achieve fitness. I posted my fears on here and could not believe the warmth and kindness of the replies.

Well, it's taken me 14 weeks - with time off for physio for a knee injury (my ancient joint did not like being asked to move faster than a stroll initially) and this morning I finally made it to the end of Week 9. I still have a long way to go to further increase my fitness - running 5k is my next goal. In 30 minutes I'm only making 2.7kms so there's definitely room for improvement!!

I look forward to reading everyone's graduation posts and will be back asking for advice on life after the lovely Laura - with her truly dire taste in music!

Happy Running and thanks to you all!

[poppypug Graduate]

Oh Well done CathyMolly ! I can totally relate to the shelves of Exercise DVDS, been there got the T Shirt This programme really works doesn't it ? We have all come so far, I couldn't run for toffee before I started. Im not the fastest runner either, BUT we can now run for 30 minutes non stop and to me that's something to be very very proud of !

Enjoy your further running adventures ! xxx

[cathymolly Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks! You're right we have come a long way. Go us!

[lottidog1 in reply to poppypug]

Poppypug - I am so sorry I missed your graduation - well done I bet you are over the moon, keep it up now!!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to lottidog1]

Hey Lottidog, no bother at all Over the moon is an understatement ! Take care , you soon ! xxx

[paul2014 Graduate]

Fantastic and well done. You must feel on top of the world. Now you can run. 35 minutes you can concentrate on reaching that 5k. Good luck and don't forget your graduation badge

[cathymolly Graduate in reply to paul2014]

Thanks Paul, I still can't believe it. Good luck with your runs. I'm sure it won't be long before I see a graduate badge next to your name.

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to cathymolly]

Thanks, cathy (the badge looks good alongside your name )

[beforefifty Graduate]

Wow you are very inspiring, thanks for posting and Congratulations on graduating.

[cathymolly Graduate in reply to beforefifty]

Thank you. Good luck with your runs. You'll get there in the end. Look forward to seeing your graduation post!

[Runboomer Graduate]

Well done, I have one more run to do! Good luck with the 5k!

[cathymolly Graduate in reply to Runboomer]

Thanks. I look forward to seeing graduate next to your name in the next couple of days!

[Jaqs99 Graduate]

Congratulations cathymolly. It's a great feeling isn't it! I totally relate to all the years of enthusiastic fitness projects then dipping out as it became boring or "didn't work" or just too much like hard work. But somehow this is different. I'm hooked even though it is hard work... I feel twitchy if I can't go out now. Not always looking forward to it to be honest but somehow would feel worse if I didn't do it... Happy running to you. X

[cathymolly Graduate in reply to Jaqs99]

Thanks. It is a great feeling. I know what you mean about not looking forward to running and I can't even say that I enjoy it most of the time but I miss it on my non-run days and feel so good at the end of a run that I can't imagine not doing it now. Happy Running to you too!!

[Becca66 Graduate]

Well done! It's so good to finish. Keep at it!

[cathymolly Graduate in reply to Becca66]

Thanks Becca. I feel so proud of myself actually sticking with it to the end - no, not the end. I'm already thinking about future progress. i guess I'm hooked !

[Treemouse Graduate]

That is a fantastic achievement! Well done and keep up the good work

[cathymolly Graduate in reply to Treemouse]

Thanks Treemouse. I can't believe I'm one of the fabled graduates! Next target will be trying to run 5k in under 1 hour (could take some time!)

[AncientMum Graduate]

Congratulations Cathymolly, great news! Your shiny new graduate badge is looking pretty darn splendid! Well done

[cathymolly Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Thanks AncientMum. I keep logging on to the forum just to admire my badge - am amazed at myself. I don't think I would have stuck thro' the hard parts without this forum. Happy Running!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to cathymolly]

Ha Ha, yes so do I ! I only graduated yesterday,and when I see the badge next to my name , I cant stop myself thinking YES ! " xxx

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Congratulations CathyMolly! I bet you feel amazing.

[cathymolly Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thanks Ullyrunner. You are so right. I've been beaming all day. I feel so invincible I even managed to sort out a glitch with my MacBook Pro. Hey, if I can run 30 mins - a software issue is a mere nothing!

[Hidden]

Yay! Another graduate joins the ranks... Welcome - well done on your final run of the programme! Celebrate in style... you've earned it! Happy post graduate running - the fun has only just begun!

And if anyone misses Julie, I have the MP3 of that single song for your playlists...

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to Hidden]

No way?? Where on Earth did you find it!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Nooooooooooooo ! For real ? Seriously ? xxx

[Hidden in reply to poppypug]

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[cathymolly Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks aussiegtc. Heaven help me but I will download Julie, although as the song is so firmly lodged in my brain I could probably sing it all the way through already! By the way, I loved your before and after photos. You look fab. Not brave enough yet to do mine - cos I'm still too close to the before section of the process!

[101susie Graduate]

Congratulations cathymolly, I’ve one run left before graduation 🤞. You’re right this is only the start 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Runforrestrun95]

I stumbled across your first post on Google and then just had to look for this one to see if you completed it and I am delighted you did! Obviously that was 8 years ago so I'd be interested to know did you get to run 5k?