I really wanted to end on a good one, as run 2 was just exhausting, so I set off really, really slowly today to see if I could yet run for 30 minutes without feeling like death at the end.
After half an hour, I'd covered less distance than last time, but I still felt fine - it's obviously taken me the full nine weeks to work out how slowly I should be going! Last time I had done 4.5K during the 30 min run, but I was a way off that. Anyway, I was feeling so good, so I decided for the first time to keep going and see if I could make the 5K, which I did in 36:24, and the amazing thing is, and this is a real first for me, I still felt as though I could keep going. (I didn't, by the way, but I could have done!)
For anyone just starting out or maybe feeling daunted by the later weeks, have faith and keep going! I found the early weeks really hard, but if you just keep going, slow as you like, and perhaps a bit slower still, the progress you make is amazing.
I really want to make sure I keep going now and don't lose momentum, as I don't remember when I last felt this good. Apart from feeling fitter and stronger, I've been so much happier lately.
Anyway, I'm hoping to do my first Parkrun on Saturday, buy myself some running shoes for my birthday on Sunday, and then I think I'll aim to keep doing the 30 mins or 5K three times a week for now and see how it goes. I've signed up for Race for Life in July too.
Thanks to all the lovely supportive people on the forum, and my virtual running partner, Buffy! Your turn next
Oh super, super, super. A fantastic, happy, successful post. You and I have definitely been joined at the hip as far as experience and emotion go. Each of your posts could have been written by me. What a journey and what enthusiasm. What advice. Listen hard all you people coming up behind - this is a glowing testament to this programme - it really is miraculous.
Looking forward to seeing 'Graduate' by your name! You can have 2 pieces of cake now on Sunday.
Lovely new photo. I've just noticed the turquoise tags at the ends of posts - I don't know how they come up - but the first one on yours is 'Death'! Charming! (btw, great time for your 5k. What a week this is going to be for you).
Congratulations!! The fact you could keep on going is both that you have trained progressively in the last nine weeks and that you started slow to warm into your pace. Well done and good luck for your parkrun and Birthday. This is just the start!
Congratulations and the best of luck (not that you'll need it) on Saturday. You must feel amazing! Happy birthday for Sunday - what a great gift you've just given yourself!
Congratulations on your graduation, it's a deserved reward after the effort you put in, you must be walking around with a big smile on your face! 😊 Happy running (I think most of us suffer with a little colour to our cheeks, pic looks great!)
Fantastic news, well done. Hope you enjoy the Parkrun!!
Well done. You'll love the Parkrun, and you won't be last with a time like that, not that it matters much. You have any ideas what to do next? A few runs to consolidate? Then start 5k+?
Well done and great time, like AndyD I haven't reached that wonderful time yet either! Nor did I manage 5K for some time after I graduated. You are a star! Thank you for sharing your C25k journey with us, happy running xxx
Congratulations on completing the programme and on achieving your 5k in what sounds like a really good time. One more week to go for me, see you on the other side.
Thanks! Yesterday was great, but my legs are really aching now. Good luck with your final week, Coddfish, and yes, see you at the finish line!
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