I just had one of those runs where your mind is asking questions and grumbling a lot of the time- along the lines of owch! what are you doing and why are you doing this?! It was rush hour in Wandsworth, nothing notable or wondrous about today's weather or views...
Then for some really amazing reason- answers please!- that last minute which is normally everlastingly heavy (despite the fact that I often run on after Laura says 'that's it')- well, that last minute flew by. Or to put it more accurately, I seemed to fly!- I had managed to get past the hill, the lumps, bumps, corners and road crossings, and was looking along a long, straight, flat pavement- no beautiful view- and somehow it felt as if my feet were landing on softest marshmallow yet somehow this supported and bounced me back. It was as if I was powering through the air, as if every bone and muscle in my body was helping me along and felt absolutely fine with what was happening- my mind was smiling and when Laura said 'that's it!'- it felt as if I'd only run 20 secs of that last minute of the last run of week 9... a big smile glowed out of me (well, glowing... that's just the beetroot heat of course!)
Yes- it's true! I have completed the C25K magic programme!!!!!!!!!!!! (9 smiles for 9 weeks!) 23 July- 16 September, in three countries.... wow. Thank you for all your support through the programme- it feels amazing...
a very very happy rainshine (graduate ) xxx
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AvatheGardener
Graduate
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Congratulations rainshine! of course it felt good - you should be very proud of yourself! Now to plan all sorts of lovely ne w running adventures! Go get your shiny badge!
Yay! Thank you Ully! I can remember looking at all you folks with a 'graduate' next to your names... and never dare to think I would make it that far.... and yes I am starting to think about running adventures, despite the 'I can't do this!' to 'wow! this is amazing!' ratio of time whilst running being approximately 20:1... but the feeling afterwards is definitely worth it!
Well done. What a lovely ending. It's all very well (and good) to run for the opportunity to be stubborn and gritty, but the best is when you just run on all cylinders and feel great. I think it's something we used to do more often (albeit in very short bursts) as kids. Somewhere in the PE classes between that and here, we learned that exercise was all pennance. A lie. Anyway, now you've had enough opportunities to experience in your own flesh and bones that along with the nice struggles and grunting there can also be little bonuses of sheer joy. Could get addictive, all those good reasons to go running.
thanks gary_bart. I always enjoy reading your posts and advice. You do articulate the emotional side of running so well! It was simply splendid to finish the C25K programme with that amazing feeling of someone having turned the gravity down and aligned all the forces of good- stunning! Here's to the next run, if I can get that again!
Fantastic, I am just behind you, final run on Saturday 😀! How do you feel about running independently? I am looking forward to the freedom but it is a little daunting as it has been structured motivation. I plan to do parkrun on Saturdays plus 2 x 30 minute runs each week for a month. Might then think about increasing my distance a little and doing some trail running (locally in the woods and fields not the Canadian mountains)! fantastic, well done for an amazing commitment to being healthy, all the best and hope you keep posting. Julie
Go Joolie I am with you all the way- you will scorch the parkrun and absolutely love it. Be sure to put C25K as your club!
As for the next stage, I'm thinking of sticking with week9 for a week (probably going to parkrun on Saturday though) and then I'm going to have a go at the C25K+ podcasts building strength stamina and speed... fitting it in is going to get increasingly difficult with work commitments, elderly dogs, daylight issues etc but I'm determined to plan each run as much as possible- usually a day or two beforehand but sometimes just as it comes (life is flexible and random for me).
And yes I also want to get back to off roading (not the Canadian mountains either!), need to refocus on new trail shoes next. There's a massive hill near me which other people can run and cycle up - it's a bit of a challenge really- I have always been in awe of them it's hard to even walk up...
Thank you so much for the congrats!!!... coming your way in just a few days
I just bought trail shoes from Sports Direct for thirty pounds, they seem nice n sturdy and I think great value for money. Where you visiting near me? 😀
Fantastic ! Many congratulations. Its a good idea to have the 2 days off and go to parkrun with really fresh legs. Hope you enjoy it. I am an addict ....
Well done Rainshine and many congratulations on your graduation. Your run sounds a lot like mine was - I felt so elated and proud and wanted to "lock in" the experience into my body and mind so I would always remember it. It's great when you get that flying along feeling. I am well chuffed for you today - enjoy!
Thanks Lynda- how lovely that you're chuffed for me - I'm genuinely touched - I love you expression of 'locking in' the experience, I will try and use that. The flying feeling was amazing- I want more of that- it was a total wow for me. YAY!
Go Go Rainshine! Go Go!! Well done you missus! Go get that graduate badge and wear it with pride!
YAY mims thank you so much... this is where it really starts I feel that C25K has given me a tool to be able to work with now... it's weird but I suspect I can already see some improvements in body shape and fitness levels.... here's to Saturday parkrun (all things being equal!)
Yessssss! Pompoms pulled out of cupboard, box of tissues and nasal spray thrown to the floor, and mFam is doing the onesie pompom dance for her favourite rainbow runner!
Thank you Slow_Rob! It really does feel fantastic! I'm so thrilled at actually looking back and making myself see that I have learnt to run for 30 mins (+)- and have done 5K along the way! Thanks again
Yay Rainshine, many many congratulations 🎉🎈🎉 Here is a trumpet fanfare to herald your triumph 🎺🎺 and a little reminder that you're now officially top banana for the day 🍌
Well done! I'm so glad that you finished on a high.
I'm also just behind you ( graduation is set for Saturday), and last night experienced my first ' good run'. I'm hoping something similar happens on Saturday!
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and when Laura said 'that's it!'- it felt as if I'd only run 20 secs of that last minute of the last run of week 9... a big smile glowed out of me (well, glowing... that's just the beetroot heat of course!)
Beyond happy graduate!
W9R3 complete and DONE ✅ 
W9R3 - GRADUATEEEEEEEEEED
W9R3
W9R3 
