Done it, got there and can't believe it! - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

134,173 members159,523 posts

Done it, got there and can't believe it!

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate
48 Replies

At lunch time today I fell in through the front door and screamed at my husband " I've done it!" Hot, sweaty, red-faced but beaming - yes I'd just completed Wk9R3! Who'd have thought it?

It took me 12 weeks, which included a few repeat runs and a two week break looking after my grandson but much to my (and my family's) surprise and amazement I've done it. I still huff and puff and want to give up during those first five minutes or so but on I plod. I think my very first post was sharing my concern that 90 secs of running sounded impossible and I didn't think I could do it, but the encouragement of others got me out there for week 2 and 3 and right on to week 9.

My previous running experience was 52 years ago at aged 14; being a non-athletic type I had to take part in the school sports day race for those that didn't do any other event - and I came last! (Thank goodness the following year I discovered more of an aptitude for the discus and javelin!).

Thank you to everyone who posts here as although I haven't contributed much, reading about others' highs and lows has kept me encouraged and motivated.

No great plans (as yet) for the future other than to keep running and hoping to speed up a little and huff and puff less.

Written by
hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runoneday
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
48 Replies
misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Well done and congratulations Hope2! You're now a Graduate so make sure you apply for your virtual Graduate badge. Follow the link on the right (blue text) to apply

Are you celebrating in style with a cuppa tea?

You must be well chuffed. Happy running, as now it can really start to open up for you

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply tomisswobble

Thank you, I'm very happy. Cup of tea, glass of wine, Thai sweet chili crisps, it's party time.

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Many congratulations to you and I wish you all the very best for your running adventures, the fun is only just beginning :-)

Well done to you, a big pat on the back for you, Cheers ( clinks teacup) :-) xxx

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate

Thank you. Seems a bit surreal but I'm enjoying the feeling of having accomplished something that seemed impossible. No cake but can I offer you a crisp to go with that cup of tea.

paul2014 profile image
paul2014Graduate

Fantastic and a massive well done :) That's a great achievement and you should rightly feel very proud :)

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate

Thank you, I am feeling very smiley.

Lovefood1984 profile image
Lovefood1984Graduate

Congratulations!

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate

Many thanks

futurefit profile image
futurefitGraduate

Congratulations! That's a real achievement and a great encouragement for those of us who have just started! :)

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate

Thank you. And wherever you are on the running journey, keep going. It is an amazing program and despite it seeming unrealistic at the start, it works. The posts on here are such an encouragement and a constant reminder that it is possible. Good luck

serendipitygal profile image
serendipitygalGraduate

Thank you for such an encouraging post :) and well done!

What's next for you?

:D Janet (looking for the thumbs up icon) x

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply toserendipitygal

Need to work on my rubbish breathing technique ( or lack of one) and try and build distance up to the magic 5k. In my head i can do it but not yet translated into action.

Wow, look at you ! A proper runner. Very well done.

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply to

Thank you. Hardly recognise myself.

KatrinaC profile image
KatrinaCGraduate

Fantastic and well done - huge congratulations xxx onwards and upwards xx

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply toKatrinaC

Yeah! Thank you.

Daddio1958 profile image
Daddio1958

Well done. Inspiration for all.

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply toDaddio1958

Thank you, only possible through others inspiring me.

Missfit_59 profile image
Missfit_59Graduate

Brilliant! Well done. You will have to change your user name now!lol...

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply toMissfit_59

Mmmm - Maybe hope2runfaster or hope2runfurther.

BethC profile image
BethCGraduate

Well done and congratulations on graduating.

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply toBethC

Thank you :) still smiling.

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) thats great news well done to you :)

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply toaliboo70

Exclamation marks about sum up how I feel. Happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70 in reply tohope2runoneday

got that"happy" song cropping up in my head now! :)

azlyrics.com/lyrics/pharrel...

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

No cake! What's a party without cake! Treat yourself to one tomorrow when you go for some new running gear. Go mad! You deserve it

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply tomisswobble

Is ice cream a good party substitute ( no jelly though)? Promised I'd treat myself to one of those running watches if I finished the program but no idea how to choose. Need one that can cope with weak GPS signal as lots of hills around here. Any advice or recommendations welcomed.

katty4 profile image
katty4Graduate

Well done, thats awesome!!

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply tokatty4

Thank you.

Net68 profile image
Net68Graduate

Well done :) such a great achievement :) you have ever right to proud :)

Enjoy your runs

Happy running x

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply toNet68

Thanks, I'm looking forward to being a bit more relaxed about it, at least till I set a new target.

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate

Thank you. Looking forward to less huffing and puffing as I get fitter.

Jsports profile image
Jsports

Wow grats so positive to read of your success

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate

Thank you!

jaxmc64 profile image
jaxmc64Graduate

Dear hope to run further faster - oh it all sounds great whichever way you put it - and a huge well done from me! There have been lots of posts on parkruns free local runs held every weekend in most towns etc (google it, register, print off your barcode-and join in these 5k community runs); it maybe the perfect next plan but most of all enjoy all your hard work and determination now you've graduated!

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate

Thanks. Running further faster sounds like a good aspiration. Think I'll aim to cover 5 k locally before trying a parkrun. I googled it a few weeks back after being curious as to what they were and with a bit more distance under my belt I may give one a try.

Burgdude profile image
BurgdudeGraduate

Way to go Hope2runoneday! Congrats! Great feeling isn't it? :)

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply toBurgdude

Thanks. Best feeling ever, worth all the pain:)

Fabarooni!

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply to

Big smiles all the way - thank you

Rignold profile image
Rignold

Well done. I distinctly remember that sense of horror at the thought of 90 seconds running in W2, too. It is an amazing programme.

FWIW, I found that slowing down allowed me to sort my breathing out. and then the speed gradually built back up over weeks of comfortable running without my really being aware of it.

lambeek profile image
lambeekGraduate

Yay - congratulations!! Great feeling, isn't it!!

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate in reply tolambeek

Thank you. Still smiling in disbelief this morning.

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate

Much slower and I'd be going backwards :) but thanks for the tip. Having completed the program I'm hoping to be more relaxed and focus a bit more on regularising my breathing. I like the sound of comfortable running!

Ejbirdy profile image
EjbirdyGraduate

Whoop whoop!

A-mazing!!

Yeah

:)

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate

Thank you. Whoop whoop or similar is how I encourage myself when the running gets tough. Hopefully not overheard by others :)

Superb effort and write up! Well done... you have every right to "whoop whoop", drink wine and treat yourself... it's an amazing achievement and a milestone to be very proud of... Well done you! :)

The fun has just begun by the way... keep at it and you'll keep surprising yourself! :) Enjoy!

hope2runoneday profile image
hope2runonedayGraduate

Thanks for your kind words, just the sort that have kept me motivated throughout the past twelve weeks.

I'm looking forward to what lies ahead, and although I know it doesn't instantly get easier I strangely feel like a weight has been lifted.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

W9R3 can't believe I've done it!

Can"t believe I'm typing this but I've done w9 r3!😁 I have repeated a couple of weeks and have...
Fairydust99 profile image
Graduate

W6R3 Running naked, alone and I didn't complete it....

....but I did run for 23 and a half freaking minutes wooohoooo. So I am pretty chuffed with that....
spoonierunning profile image
Graduate

I've done it!

Can't believe it, W9R3 done - I've graduated, yippee. It hasn't quite sunk in, never really...
Gran4z profile image
Graduate

Can't believe it!

First post but just wanted to raise my hat to everyone who has done this and especially those who...
bracknellbadger profile image
Graduate

Can't believe I've done it!

So early on Friday morning I did W9R3! I never thought I'd be able to do this running thing and...
DianeD1 profile image
Graduate

Moderation team

See all
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator
Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministrator
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.