Punch the air!

[gnash]

Just graduated on Couch 2 5K! Seems unbelievable really, because at 54 years old I have been that person saying 'I can't run', 'I'll never run'. And now I'm a runner! Week 9 was tough, not gonna deny it, but I hung in there and completed. I take about 34 min so next challenge will be to up my speed. Park Run next!

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Congratulations! What a feeling it must be - enjoy your running and good luck with that Parkrun! I am at W4 for the second time(!) having made it to w8 when injury struck! Cannot wait to graduate too,

[gnash Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you and good luck with yours this time round.

[misswobble Graduate]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!! You did it!!! Congratulations!! You must feel fantastic this morning. Yep 54 and now you have a new skill. Put that on your CV!!!! "RUNNER!" I was 56 when I graduated, and like you had never run the length of myself.

You'll just want to run all the time now but don't go at it all guns blazing. Take your time and let things develop steadily. 10% increase in distance per week is what's recommended. C25k+ podcasts, with good old Laura, would be your local next step to help your running go to the next stage. They are quite a challenge and will help you no end. You can download them free from here.

Don't forget to apply for your virtual graduate badge! You earned it

[gnash Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks for that and very excited to hear about Graduate Badge!! It's the small things.... I've applied and will be chuffed when it appears. Thanks for the tips, will search out C25K+ podcasts.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Yay!!! Congratulations! The running world is your oyster now, you can go lots of places from here.

[gnash Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Thanks runswithdogs. I ran to collect my car from the garage - no Oyster card needed! Bad pun, sorry.

[Tomas Graduate]

Yay, congratulations! That is really, really well done!

[gnash Graduate in reply to Tomas]

Thank you Tomas.

[rmnsuk Graduate]

Well done. Now you can call yourself a runner. Take it easy for a few weeks to get used to running 5k, a few slow parkrun sessions, then go for it. I lost 4 minutes off my parkrun time so aim for sub 30 first

[gnash Graduate in reply to rmnsuk]

Thanks for the advice. Bit daunted by parkrun cos I fear peer pressure may make me overdo it, so will train a bit longer first.

[Glossy Graduate]

Congratulations!!! I hope to be joining you in three weeks time. Your time is brilliant!

[gnash Graduate in reply to Glossy]

Aww thanks. And good luck Glossy with yours.

[Ugifer]

Congratulations! 34 mins is a pretty goo time too!

Good that you have a goal - to up that pace a little. Keep the increases steady and gentle and you'll be upping that before you know it.

Happy running - and well done!

Ugi

[gnash Graduate in reply to Ugifer]

Thanks Ugi, and for the advice.

[poppypug Graduate]

Hey Ya !

Congratulations to you ! 34 minutes is an excellent time , Well done !

Hope you have lots of happy running adventures ! xxx

[gnash Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks poppypug. O yes, looking forward to where my running shoes take me!

[Hidden]

Rock n roll, BIG congratulations I for one used to say those things too before C25K , it is A mazing what we can do at any age

34 min's for 5K is a pretty good time just enjoy your runs and definitely do parkrun it is a great experience

[gnash Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Slow_Rob. First run as a graduate planned today. Feel a bit nervous..... Thanks for the congrats.

[Madge50 Graduate]

Way to go you! And that time is no slow coach either, well done. Beware park run is addictive! And absolutely brilliant, do it, enjoy!

Mx

[gnash Graduate in reply to Madge50]

Thanks Madge50, appreciate it.

[JulietB Graduate]

Well done you! Great news! I'm a week behind you and full of apprehension so thanks for the inspiration xx

[gnash Graduate in reply to JulietB]

Thanks JulietB. Go for it! As Laura says, 'you can do it!'

[no-excuse Graduate]

Whoop whoop, well done! enjoy your running. I love parkrun it is just the business and has led to so many other things in the running world! have fun x

[gnash Graduate in reply to no-excuse]

Thanks no-excuse. Great username btw

[Valerie72]

Well done,me too! I am also 54. Not sure I'm doing 5k in the 30 mins though.

[gnash Graduate in reply to Valerie72]

Thank you and well done you too!

[gnash Graduate]

So I posted yesterday and I don't know what I thought, but I didn't imagine anyone would look at my post. I know.... and then. Really chuffed at all the congratulations and encouragement I got from the HU community. Very inspiring, informative and motivating. So thank you all! Right, off for a run!