So many people graduating today - ME TOO!!!!!!! - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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So many people graduating today - ME TOO!!!!!!!

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate
38 Replies

Well, that's me done with week 9 - my third 5k of the week! I feel so chuffed with myself, to have got through all of the challenges of C25K and to consider myself a runner now - ok, a green behind the ears novice runner, who will finish at the back of my first park run in a weeks time, but a runner none the less.

A lovely day for it, too - sun shining, nice spring temperature, and I felt well up for it. I managed a decent pace for me - all my splits were sub-7min/k for the first time, and my 5k was done in 33:41, which I'm well pleased with. Though I hate to acknowledge the years, I really ought to look at what I've done in the context of a 58 year old first time runner!

I also took my running time up to over 37 minutes, and achieved 5.5km. I think my aim over the next week will be to try to consolidate that as a short term benchmark rather than to go further, as I felt I was pushing myself at the end.

Now I haven't got the discipline of the C25K to follow, I'll have to get my head around planning some kind of structure to my running, and think of some targets.

My run - connect.garmin.com/modern/a...

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Steve_L profile image
Steve_L
Graduate
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38 Replies
lou-34 profile image
lou-34Graduate

Congratulations Steve, you must be so proud of yourself. 😊

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate in reply to lou-34

Wowsers!!! Another graduation ceremony today. I feel like a party animal and it's not elevenses yet!

Well done Steve, many congrats and pats on the back. You've really done this in fine style. Bask in your glory today and reward yourself for completing the programme. A nice new top or socks etc. You already have shoes don't you?

C25k+ podcasts are excellent. Some folks don't follow through with them but they should as they are good! Lots of content to keep you busy before moving on to bridge the gap between 5 and 10 k, which is another story ..........

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to misswobble

Thanks, MW. I think I will give those C25K+ podcasts a try - they're already on my phone!

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to lou-34

Thanks, Lou. Yes, I am!

Dunder2004 profile image
Dunder2004Graduate

Delighted for you, congratulations.

Following your runs for the last few weeks, you made it look easy.

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to Dunder2004

I wouldn't describe it as easy, but there came a point when I felt I was in control of my runs. I felt competent!

PrincessStef profile image
PrincessStefGraduate

Well Done. It feels great doesn't it. You can hold your head up when those runners are coming towards you and wave and smile at them (not sure I feel like I should be yet though:)) I felt a little lost on Monday though so I just repeated Week 9 this week.

Don't' forget your badge. Have a great weekend and Happy Running

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to PrincessStef

Thanks, Stef. I'll be going for a bit of a run on Sunday then changing my running days from Monday, Wednesday, Friday to Tuesday, Thursday, then Parkrun on Saturday! Ooo-err!

PrincessStef profile image
PrincessStefGraduate in reply to Steve_L

Good luck for the Park Run. You are braver than me I am still too shy/scared for this even though I have looked at the speeds form the last few weeks and I know I would be able to do it. Maybe in a couple more weeks :)

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to PrincessStef

I don't know about brave, Stef, though for the last couple of weeks I've no longer felt like an imposter pretending to run!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

You'll like Parkrun I'm sure. You'll see all sorts of folks there. It's really quite a surprise. So many people of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities but all there to enjoy a trot round. I'd keep left as the elite runners like to run on the right and storm past you quite alarmingly. LOL

The Stepping Stones podcasts can seem slow at first but they're deceiving. See them through as they're good

AndyD profile image
AndyDGraduate

Brilliant... well done :-)

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to AndyD

Thanks :)

old_git profile image
old_gitGraduate

Congratulations Steve. Isn't it a great feeling! Best wishes for all your future running adventures. Enjoy the day :-) :-)

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to old_git

Certainly is a great feeling!

Sarah-A profile image
Sarah-AGraduate

Yippeee! Well done you! What a brilliant start to the weekend. :)

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to Sarah-A

Thanks, Sarah. I'll be following your progress!

AdamB profile image
AdamBGraduate

Well done. Your age grade is 46.8% (i.e. your pace was 46.8% of the pace for the world record for someone of your age). That's pretty good going. You'll be fine at parkrun. I find that I always run faster at parkrun anyway, simply because there are other people there to pace yourself against. It wouldn't surprise me if you did a parkrun in 31 to 32 minutes.

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to AdamB

Thanks, Adam, that's really encouraging!

Wristy profile image
WristyGraduate

If you're doing 33 minute 5Ks, there is no way you will be at the back of the field in a PR! Enjoy!

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to Wristy

Thanks, Nick! The only thing I'm a little apprehensive about is running on softer ground - I think it might be more tiring.

Wristy profile image
WristyGraduate in reply to Steve_L

you will have to check out your local PRs and see what terrain they run on. There are a couple near my parents, one run on grass / mud and the other on the promenade by the seafront. Guess they will be completely different but will found out soon enough!

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to Wristy

I've already sussed it out. There are three near me, all on grass/earth, but I'm told one is a bit better than the others - I'll go for that.

Congratulations Steve_L - really pleased for you and reading all these happy comments is making me look forward to my week 9 runs next week. I'm also thinking of switching from mon/wed/fri to tues/thurs + pr on sat. Plus maybe following the 'strength & flex' podcasts, as a way of adding to my overall fitness. I look forward to seeing how you progress from here. Hope you get that graduate badge soon :)

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate

Thanks, Ruth! I had a listen to the "Stepping Stones" podcast this afternoon. Think I'll give that a go on Tuesday after a gentle run on Sunday.

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate

Ooo! Now I have a nice shiny new "graduate" badge!

Snufflegruff profile image
SnufflegruffGraduate

Congratulations Steve - brilliant job. I like the idea of pushing for 5k in week 9 - I'll try that.

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate

Congratulations - I hope you feel really proud of yourself! Lots of lovely running adventures ahead.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

Fab. Really well done Steve and what a great time too. I bet you're still smiling.

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

I am! :)

Krupskaya profile image
KrupskayaGraduate

Well done - what a fantastic achievement!

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to Krupskaya

Thanks- and let's see you do it now - you can!

no-excuse profile image
no-excuseGraduate

Fantastic, well done! Enjoy your running. I'm sure you will love parkrun too x :-)

rmnsuk profile image
rmnsukGraduate

well done. Awesome feeling isn't it. You've proven you can run.

I still do mon and wed, then I have two days recovery for the parkrun, which is still more difficult for me than the treadmill. Or I can run Friday if I can't make Saturday for some reason.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

I was 57 when I graduated, Steve, and I am sure you will find that C25k has changed your life as much as I did. At our age this new lease of life is such a bonus that I am sure you will never take for granted.

Many congratulations, fellow runner.

Steve_L profile image
Steve_LGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Thanks for that. This has been a very special couple of months. I've achieved more than I could have imagined when I started. I really do think this is life changing.

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Fab post Steve xxx

Many many Congratulations to you on your Graduation. I hope you enjoy wherever your running adventures take you.

No stopping you now Supersonic Steve ! :-) xxx

Rob_and_his_westie profile image
Rob_and_his_westieGraduate

Congratulations sir!

Lots of of options open to you now. May all your runs be happy runs.

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