drum roll please...

[Northernspirit]

At long last! Finally! I did it! It's taken ages!!! I ran 5k!!! Oh, I hear you say, is that all? I know this is the C25K programme but my 30 minutes was never a 5k run as is the case for most of us. Then with that damn IC and other stuff, I stayed stuck at running 30 ish mins and not adding more distance or much speed, happy to be IC-free and running at all. I think I had a mental block, getting up to 4.3k or whatever and declaring "that's enough" a bit worried about ending up on the bench again? BUT then in the last couple of weeks I've been shaving time off my runs and clocking more distance each time. SO, Sunday morning I set off determined to do it and surprise surprise (not) it was fine! In fact it was greeeatttt! Big smile on face much like week 5 and week 9 grins (I remember them well!).

This programme is amazing still even for graduates, if you're mid-programme and worrying or putting yourself under pressure, be assured there are many of us who are still plugging away at the holy grail 5k and in my case it took 8 months to get there.

As a treat today I just went out for a little 30 minute jog and ended up running my fastest time again, something has shifted! (maybe it's a bit of weight haha!)

Onwards. 10K here I come

[Noaky12 Graduate]

Fantastic job. Well done you.

What a great post too. 😆

[Northernspirit Graduate in reply to Noaky12]

Thanks Noaky 😀

[Hidden]

Hooray ! 5k is a LONG way so well done for plugging away at it. Glad you are still seeing improvements and enjoying your running.

[Northernspirit Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It is a long way! And the more amazing thing still for me is yes I do enjoy it!! I enjoy being able to do it, knowing 'I can' is great, thanks

[poppypug Graduate]

Well done Northern ! Top banana !

Very Well done to you , perseverance always pays ! xxx

[Northernspirit Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks Pops, reading your posts has always helped me to believe!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Northernspirit]

Thank you xxx That is really kind of you xxx

You did it through your own hard work and determination, Well done ! xxx

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

"Is that all?"

We would never say that, because we are all so aware of the importance of every milestone, making this the place to make such a statement. Congratulations on that first 5k and good luck with the 10k.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Northernspirit Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks so much, love this forum for being soooooo positive. 😀 smiling

[AncientMum Graduate]

Oh very very well done NS, I'm proper delighted for you. That first 5k is so very special. Can't wait for my second first 5k, if you know what I mean. So big cheer and pat on the back for a great achievement 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎊🎈🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 xx

[Northernspirit Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

I know exactly what you mean AM, are you back running? Thanks x

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to Northernspirit]

Oh yes! Restarted the programme from scratch. Did w6r1 this morning and loving it all over again. xxx

[gary_bart]

Nope, me neither; can't hear myself thinking anything like "is that all?" I'm thinking something more like "And the good news goes on" ...

By making any progress beyond what we imagined possible, we all provide proof to anyone else held back mainly by doubt that all these things are doable. c25k provides evidence that it's possible not only to systematically go about getting enough stamina to keep going for 30 minutes, but also to Enjoy it. ("Part 2" is the main thing you disbelieve when you're avoiding running like you avoid rabies, leprosy, and the lurgy).

And now onward you go, and you provide more proof that a steady determined effort eventually brings up the 5km mark. All those beyond c25k targets are shown to be doable. But it takes some persistence, "and that's all" (it's quite a lot of "all" if it's "all").

But the nicest thing to hear is that the later breakthroughs come with a week 5 grin again, I think.

[Northernspirit Graduate in reply to gary_bart]

Thanks love your post 😀 and enjoyment comes in many forms I have found - confidence, looking and feeling better, accomplishments, running in the sun (gentle sun only!) and rain (that fine kind works well).....grins a plenty 😀

[gary_bart in reply to Northernspirit]

Thanks. I think probably in the end that 5km target, too, was just an excuse to keep going out there and enjoying the best that nature has to offer? The best of the rain, the best of the sun, and sometimes the secret joys of just feeling heroic as the sun burns you or the wind freezes your nose blue. ... Hmm ... neither of which I've tried in the mild Winter weather we have down here on the coast. Inland there's frost, and sometimes even snow; here you can swim all Winter. Summer is a bit painfully sticky, mind you. And it rains all the time. Often truly icy (Everest-high thunderstorm rain).

[LyndaM Graduate]

Fab post. Well done - the first 5k is so special and you have worked so hard for it. Many congratulations x

[Northernspirit Graduate in reply to LyndaM]

Ta v much Lynda - feeling like a graduate all over again 😊

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Good on you - that's a landmark achievement!!

[Northernspirit Graduate in reply to ancientrunner]

Many thanks

[Hidden]

superb, well done NS that is great so chuffed for you

[Northernspirit Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Rob 😀 chuffing great!

[SAW50505 Graduate]

Well done, did my last run of the programme today too

[Hidden in reply to SAW50505]

Well done! What's your next running challenge?

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Great! Amazing feeling isn't it!

[JoolieB1 Graduate]

Well done. I don't think many people reach 5 k by the end of the programme, it is something to keep working towards. I am on week 7 and don't think my 25 min runs are anywhere close to it, going to track my distance tomorrow, reaching 5k safely without injury and enjoying the journey is what matters. If I could do 5k in 45 mins I would think I was an Olympic athlete LOL

[RunningForBroke Graduate]

Well done!!!! That's fantastic!