W9R3: Done.

[Maysie1]

I think the title just about sums it up in a 'Gordon Ramsey style'.

There have been highs and lows over the past few months. I actually started back in March 2014, so am surprised I managed to get to the end but I am really glad I did.

-The lowest point was hurting my knee twice at the start, so having to take a long break and then re-start the programme again from W2. The pain was awful and nearly made me abandon the whole idea of running ever again.

-There are LOADS of highs though, my wife has now started running too as a result of my positive experiences and ramblings (currently on W2R2), so have my neighbours (W2R2 also). I also just ran for over 35 minutes and covered 6k on Sunday, just because I was enjoying myself so much I didn't want to stop. There is also the great feeling that I actually got to the end of the programme. I have never been able to run any more than 200m, but I can now run 6k and feel great afterwards - now that is something I never thought would happen. I have lost weight, which was never an objective, but is a nice bonus I suppose. Feeling fitter and healthier is great and I now have a healthy way of relieving stress without shouting at the dogs/my wife/myself.

Unfortunately I didn't enjoy today's graduation run as I wasn't really in the mood and just set out 'to get the final run over with', so that wasn't the high I had hoped for, more of a damp squib. Shame really after all that time. The farmers had chewed up the farm tracks that I run on (after the recent heavy rainfall), so you had to watch every single step. The wind blew in my face whatever direction I ran in and the sun was hotter than I had realised so I was overheating. In summary, I think I just had a right grump on.

Never mind, I am now looking forward to what c25k+ has to offer!

Thanks to everyone on here for the support, it really has been very helpful in both a direct and indirect way. Even if I dint have time to post, just seeing that other people were struggling with the same issues as I have experienced along the way was a real help when the going got a bit tough.

Thank you.

[paul727 Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating. I think it comes as a surprise to all of us when we start to enjoy it, I never thought I would but I do and think about the next run, I think I am becoming a bore with it as well, I talk to my family and friends about it and I think they want me to shut up, and I won't.

[Maysie1 Graduate in reply to paul727]

Thanks Paul.

I am now officially a running bore, as I talk to everyone who will listen to me about it. I must do it in a positive way too, as my wife and 2 friends have started the programme too!

[Fitfor60 Graduate in reply to Maysie1]

Apart from the health benefits they'll feel its nice that you'll have some people to talk to about / share with running experience Maysie Congratulations on graduating and good luck with your runni g

[Toonlou24 Graduate in reply to paul727]

Good! Don't shut up!!!

[Maysie1 Graduate in reply to Toonlou24]

Only food and beer keep me quiet!

[Lavender1962 Graduate]

Congratulations! Great post. Happy running

[Maysie1 Graduate in reply to Lavender1962]

Thank you L62!

[Vixchile Graduate]

Congratulations and its great you inspired 3 others to give it a go. You will be able to form a running club!!

I think graduating is when the real fun starts! I would recommend just getting out there to start with, keeping up with 3 runs a week and then make a new goal.

happy running

[Maysie1 Graduate in reply to Vixchile]

Thank you.

My friends move to Crickhowell tomorrow, so I am glad I got them to start when I did!

I am really looking forward to having a few runs where I just do my own thing! Following that I will try the c25k+ and see how that suits me...

[atomic]

Congratulations on your graduation - you've acquired a valuable skill that will keep you active and bring all the other physical and mental benefits that you've already noticed. It's a shame you didn't feel jubilation at the end, but you still did it. You made it! You should be really proud and I'm sure will feel happier in the runs to come.

Enjoy wherever C25K+ takes you

[Maysie1 Graduate in reply to atomic]

Thank you.

The previous run was aright corker, so I am not too worried about a slightly lame one today.

As you say, there will be plenty more to come!

[atomic]

Congratulations on your graduation - you've acquired a valuable skill that will keep you active and bring all the other physical and mental benefits that you've already noticed. It's a shame you didn't feel jubilation at the end, but you still did it. You made it! You should be really proud and I'm sure will feel happier in the runs to come.

Enjoy wherever C25K+ takes you

[Maysie1 Graduate in reply to atomic]

I heard you the first time!

[useitorloseit Graduate]

Fabulous - well done! What an achievement.

[Maysie1 Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

Many thanks!

[Slookie Graduate]

Brilliant news. Sorry you didn't enjoy the last run so much but you will surely enjoy the first run of the next section of your running life. So great you have encouraged others too.

[cathrynp Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating! It was good that you went out and ran anyway as even if I don't enjoy the run i know that I'm embedding the habit further into who I am. I think someone else on the forum said it takes 12 weeks to form a habit so not missing runs where possible is good. Hopefully your first graduation run will be better!

[ginbin Graduate]

Congratulations!

[Ejbirdy Graduate]

Congratulations !! You have achieved so much

[poppypug Graduate]

Well done Maysie, many congratulations to you on your graduation. Happy Running xxx

[grannyjudes Graduate]

well done , now go and enjoy

[paul2014 Graduate]

Congratulations Fantastic news and a massive well done. It sounds like you've had set backs but you have stuck with it and completed your c25k.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Aww sounds as if it was a bit of a trial today but hey! You've done it! Congratulations. I hope you feel very proud of yourself, particularly as you have inspired other around you to take it up too.

[GettingFitter Graduate]

Well done Maysie1. That's a great achievement and 6k is fantastic. You've finished the program and will feel good that it's done and now onto the next challenge. Congratulations on graduating

[misswobble Graduate]

Well done! I know it might not have been the run you'd have wished for your Graduation but that's how the cookie crumbles sometimes. I bet your next one will be better!

Good luck and cool runnings

[no-excuse Graduate]

Fantastic, well done for completing! Some new recruits too- excellent work! Enjoy your post grad runs x

[Clara29 Graduate]

Well done! Your perseverance is a real inspiration.

[Thp42 Graduate]

Massive congrats.

[Toonlou24 Graduate]

Whoooo! I just typed you a huge reply then it wiped it! Grrrr!!! Well done you! Wow! Fantastic! Doesn't matter how long it took, you've graduated. How great does that feel! So pleased for you. Sorry to hear your run was disappointing. Next one will be a breeze I bet. Have a rest day then go and see!!!! Well done pet!!!

[Hidden]

Congrats on graduating, and for not letting your not so good final run get you down. My graduation run was a let down too, I felt like crying, and I know I'm not the only one. Not sure what I expected, brass bands waiting for me at the finish? My next run was much nicer, the pressure is off now and you can do your own thing. Congrats again

[Maysie1 Graduate]

Crikey, I have a day away from my desk and come back to find LOADS of messages/replies!

Thank you all so much for your kind remarks and congratulations.

It is all slightly overwhelming. Feeling rather humbled.

[frannyfran Graduate]

Well done.

I too found finishing the program and getting my badge an anticlimax as there was nothing special in finishing a run I had accomplished twice already. The big buzz for me was finishing my first 5k!

Hope you get your "high" soon.