Proud and happy

[LyndaM]

So I have just completed W9 R3 and it seems that amazingly I have now completed my mission and can call myself a graduate! Can't quite believe it at the moment- it all seems a bit unreal. After the euphoria of last week's first ever 5k for my W9 R1 I went a bit too fast for my second run and was gasping for breath for most of it, so today, I started off slowly as I was determined to enjoy the occasion. When Laura said it was 5 minutes to go Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" came over my headphones and I just had the biggest grin on my face. Then, as I was walking back, an amazing sunset filled the sky. So I won't forget the occasion.

I would like to make a few points: firstly you are never too old. I am 57, about a stone overweight and have never been the slightest bit sporty. If I can do it, anyone can. In fact, I would go as far as to say if you are older it means an awful lot to achieve something like this; I have found that ladies of a "certain age" seem pretty invisible in today's society so it's nice to surprise a few people.

Secondly, it's ok to have doubts. I had many at the beginning and my dear old mum was convinced I would die of a heart attack! I worried myself sick about W5 R3 for about two weeks beforehand and then afterwards felt so great. I think that's when I started to believe.

Lastly, the posters on this forum are amazing; I have been helped, advised and supported along the way, with nothing too flippant or silly to ask. Thanks very much!

So what now? I am going to join a local running club (on Tuesday before I chicken out); I intend to do a parkrun in the near future and next year I will do the race for life in memory of some loved ones, something I have wanted to do for some time. I feel really, really happy and very proud. Happy running everyone!

[goonkeepgoing Graduate]

Congratulations. What a lovely inspiring post. You should feel incredibly proud of yourself. Well done. Keep running

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to goonkeepgoing]

Thank you. So nice to feel good about myself!

[Dunnja Graduate]

Lovely post Lynda which for me summarises what this programme is all about.

Good luck at running club and keep posting.

A huge well done to you

Jules xx

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to Dunnja]

Thanks jules. Still in state of disbelief to be honest. I shall definitely keep running and post my running club adventures!

[ActonHighStreet]

Congratulations! Good luck with all your future running adventures and be sure to tell us all about them.

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to ActonHighStreet]

Thanks so much for your kind words

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Congratulations on graduating and a lovely post. Heres to achieving your next goals!

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you very much!

[poppypug Graduate]

Woo Hoo ! Massive Congratulations to you on your Graduation ! Brilliant stuff , Well done !

Big up to the over 50 ladies ! Yeee-ahhhh ! There's loads of us on here who haven't run since school , and even then I was smoking round the bike sheds ha ha , and here we are running our socks off !

Good on ya , Missus ! xxxx

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to poppypug]

I thank you poppy and for your help and advice along the way. You sound a lot like me!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to LyndaM]

Yep , we could be twins !

Thank you for your lovely message xxx

[AvatheGardener Graduate]

Fantastic achievement, and a great post- thank you for taking the time to articulate your thoughts. I'm in the over-50 overweight women who were never sporty club too, good to hear you getting to the graduation stage 😀

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to AvatheGardener]

Thanks rainshine. You will be there before you know it and feeling great!

[Northernspirit Graduate]

Beautiful post well done and welcome to the rest of your running adventures 😊

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to Northernspirit]

Thanks for your kind words