I can't believe I've just wrote that but I have, I really have and it feels great
Nine weeks ago I started my C25K journey not really knowing what lay ahead. I 'only' wanted to get a bit fitter and maybe lose a few pounds.
Little did I know just how much of an impact the C25K programme would have on me. For example, I was looking forward to each run (ok, with apprehension most of the time!), I found myself longing to get home from work on 'run days', wishing away the rest days just so that I could get running again, being chuffed to bits after each run I completed and even more so after each week completed, feeling better in myself, sleeping better, having more energy, being less stressed, more content, more relaxed. I had no idea that all this would be achieved from a nine week running programme! It's only now, having Graduated (lol, yes Paul, you have graduated and you can say that now ) that I can really appreciate just how amazing these last nine weeks have really been. Thank you C25K
I would also like to thank the members of this forum for being supportive and offering encouragement and advice throughout my journey. I would also like to thank those members who have sent me Private Messages over the last couple of weeks. I really did appreciate you taking the time to do so and it meant a lot. Thank you
Anyway, it's not all good news. Yes, I Graduated today and yes I ran a distance of 5K but, and I was quite disappointed initially but not so much now, I didn't reach my goal of completing the 5K in 30 minutes. Unfortunately it took me 34 min 37 sec to run non-stop for 5K. As I say, I was gutted at first especially as I had ran 4.2K in 28 min on r3 of w8 at a pace of 9km/h! For some reason I didn't feel 100% today. Well, I could list a good three reasons why I think this to be the case but I won't as it would just sound like I was making excuses However, it now gives me a time to beat and to be honest, it's not a bad time for an awld git like me
Thank you C25K and thank you fellow members Good luck to everyone working their way through their own journey with C25K. Believe in the programme and believe in yourself and you too will be graduating before you know it.
PS I know I'm looking a bit bedraggled on the photo and that my face is almost the same colour as my new Graduation T-shirt but who cares
Regards, Paul
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paul2014
Graduate
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Very very well done Paul, that's a great achievement. The 30 min 5 k will come for you soon enough I'm certain, but in the meantime, enjoy your success and your brand new graduate status. Congratulations
Well done! Your time is still brilliant! I am planning to go on to the C25k+ podcasts now to improve my speed so perhaps that's something you can focus on now? It sounds as though you'll do the time you want soon though, especially as you said you weren't 100% today. Welcome fellow graduate!
Hello Paul. Congratulations on graduating!!! Well you have a definite goal to work for, don't be disappointed just think where you started from. So will you be getting your garmin now as a graduation present?
Thank you. You're right of course, it's only been 9 weeks and I've achieved so much. As for the Garmin, yes, I'm going to be ordering one as soon as I've finished thanking people here
Congratulations for graduating Paul - thats a great time awld git or not! And as you say, it does give you a time to beat, which I'm sure you will. Now go and put your feet up and celebrate - hopefully this is only the beginning!
Well done Paul, now the best bit begins, you can run when and where you like, with no time limits or Laura, you can do a quick "feel better " run , a long leisurely run, your choice, and the freedom is great, happy running my friend
Thank you and you're right and it's something I'm really looking forward to doing. My first few runs post graduation are going to be 'no pressure' runs. I'm going to plan a route locally of between 3 and 5k and run at a nice casual pace, just because I can
Very, very well done many congratulations you managed 3, not 1 but 3 30 minute runs that is amazing stop being hard on yourself for taking a few minutes longer to cover 5km
Well done! You and I have crossed paths several times on the c25k journey, tho life & granddaughters have slowed me down a bit I'm about to do my wk6r3 next week! I think you, like me, have done most of our work on the treadmill & I'm still facing the mental challenge of running comfortably outdoors . Am
With gdaughters 3&4 at the mo so will attempt wk5r2 in local park Tomorrow as I quite liked that one and really want love the great outdoors! Wish me luck & congrats to you
Hi Buddy, really well done! Congratulations. You've been really active on this site and inspiring to all us runners behind you. A well-deserved graduate.
Main question is... once you've hit 30mins/5k, what are you going to do next?
Thanks, MarkyMark, very kind of you to say. As to what I'll do after I reach a 30min 5k, well, not too sure if I'm honest. I think I'd like to look at training for a 10k as there's a local 10k road race which literally passes within yards of my home.
Goal One- complete NHS C25k......tick. Well done Paul, we all know from your attitude that running has really gripped you, like most of us. Hard luck on the sub 30min, but you will get there, I know. Some targets just take a bit more working for and are so much more satisfying when you achieve them. Parkrun will get you running at peak level and draw you closer to the next target and is a brilliant example of people power.
thats great news paul! congratulations! keep on posting, look forward to reading what you do next.... it takes a while to get used to the freedom of the open road without laura every time!
Hi Paul, congratulations!!!!All the best for your next goal, the 30 mins! Enjoy your Garmin, I saw it in Google, it is a beauty! I hope you will post the statistics, and you will let us know how will you do your B210K plan, I´m 1 week behind you, so I´m very interested in the post graduation work, I think I will try the Bupa plan, but hope to see your experience first!!
Thank you, Ana Not sure when I'll start my 10k training as I want to spend the next couple of weeks running outdoors without worrying about times etc before then having a go at my first park run. I'll also probably work on the c25k+ podcasts and try to get to the sub 30 minute goal. Maybe then I'll start looking at a 10k. Good luck with your last week of the c25k and and looking forward to reading about your Graduation run
Congratulations!! Feels great doesn't it? Looking forward to hearing your continuing journey and thank you also for your support on here too. That sub 30 is just waiting for another day soon. Keep it fun and wishing you all the best!
Well done Paul, I love your Graduation t-shirt....it's looking good on you. I have just returned from my last run.....so I too am a Graduate. Cheers to many more runs.
Brilliant job and fantastic time, well done! Get along to your nearest Parkrun without delay , you are going to love them! You will be breaking that 30 mins before you know it - not that times really matter. 30 mins is a dream goal for me, but after 50+ years of inactivity, the fact that I am out there running at all is just amazing!
Brilliant job and fantastic time, well done! Get along to your nearest Parkrun without delay , you are going to love them! You will be breaking that 30 mins before you know it - not that times really matter. 30 mins is a dream goal for me, but after 50+ years of inactivity, the fact that I am out there running at all is just amazing!
Brilliant stuff, Paul! A fantastic post and I think you have summed up what c25k has done for many of us. I love the T shirt, and please don't be despondent with the time, you running career has just started!
Congratulations Paul - well earned shirt there mate! I've really enjoyed your posts throughout C25K and I eagerly await your post-graduation updates and the fun and games you'll be sure to have with the 620! You've earned it... I love the fact that you are "feeling better in myself, sleeping better, having more energy, being less stressed, more content, more relaxed"... I have found similar benefits beside the fitness in C25K and my only wish is that I'd done it earlier... on the plus side, we're now "veterans" in age-grading... hahaha...
I have no doubt you'll nail your personal goal on 5K timings on a Parkrun. I know that I haven't been able to go as fast since then so there's definitely something in "running with others" that'll spur you on...
Well done Paul - keep us updated on your post-grad runs - no stopping you now!
Thanks, Aussie I'm looking forward to playing with the 620 As for being 'veterans' in the age grading, that sounds fine to me, need all the help I can get Interesting to read your experience with the park run. Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations Paul! You did it! That's a pretty good time actually so don't feel disappointed, and the sub-30 5k will definitely come soon with putting in a few more miles (it did for me) - it's something to work towards. I found mixing up runs – doing longer distances more slowly, speed intervals – really helped me get faster. Keep on posting your progress!
Congratulations and well done! Lovely post and very inspiring, enjoy your running (sorry my congrats are rather late, computer problems galore recently)
Congratulations Paul, and thank you (and everyone) for the support you gave me along the way.
Isn't it funny how we all started this thinking "bet I can never run for 30 mins at a stretch" and now here we all are assuring each other "it's OK - we'll do it faster/longer/better in time". How things change! How we've all changed - and better still, our aspirations and belief in ourselves has changed... C25K rules!!!
Hi Paul- I've been away and missed your graduation post- nothing stands still on this forum! So well done, that is fantastic, a great time, and parkruns to look forward to amongst other things! Happy running x
Woohoo you did it! Congrats on graduating, having only completed my first week; I cant imagine getting as far as half way let alone to graduation. However, you have given me something to aspire to, so thank you. Enjoy your warm glow x
Hi kitty_kat Thanks. I'm glad the post had inspired you You will get there, don't worry. It passes very quickly and before you know it you'll be graduating, too. Keep us all updated on your progress. Good luck
Hi kitty_kat Thanks. I'm glad the post had inspired you You will get there, don't worry. It passes very quickly and before you know it you'll be graduating, too. Keep us all updated on your progress. Good luck
Inspirational words Paul, for those, like me, just at the beginning of this adventure. Thanks for writing them, and hearty congratulations on your graduation!
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However, it now gives me a time to beat and to be honest, it's not a bad time for an awld git like me 
x 
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