Well a not quite so far man in lycra graduates. Woop woop woop. Just back from week 9 run 3! Carried on the extra 4 minutes so I covered the 5k again.
Week1 run 1 was on 17 December I weighed 21st 11lb back then. I remember thinking I must be mad starting this program a week before Christmas, now look at me, not even out of February and Im running 5k 3 times a week, now weigh 20st 6lb. Feels bloody marvelous.
Decided I was going to treat myself to some decent running shoes a graduation pressie. Couldnt wait though so went to leicesterrunningshop.co.uk/ yesterday, great little shop, very helpful and knowledgeable. Did some gait analysis and bought some much better running shoes, I have "over pronation" the new shoes feel so much better, more cushioning and more stable. Can really feel the difference. Like wearing slippers and running on clouds. Wish I'd sorted some a few weeks ago now.
Current plan is to carry on, increase time to 35 minutes for the next 3 runs, then probably increase in 5 minute intervals. First Park run will be a fortnight on Saturday.
Thank you to everyone here, the support, advice and comeraderie is awesome! Must thank my darling wife too for her encouragement and of course Iron Maiden for providing my running music of choice.
Onwards and upwards!!!
Written by
Big-Andy
Graduate
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Woot woot! Congratulations - that's a great accomplishment. Over a stone lost too, that's fantastic! Keep up the good work, and wear those new trainers with pride.
Thought I was going to see the lycra picture then so was relived to see shoes !! Very nice, love running on my fluffy clouds Congratulations very well done and 5k in a very good time !
Well done! It's great to see people graduating! Don't forget the rest of us "struggling" behind you - keep us posted on your progress. It's great to hear what people do after graduation, gives us ideas.
Saucony! I run in kinvaras. They are very light but the cushioning is ok so you won't feel the road 😊
Develop your running very gradually, and get your core strength beefed up so you can support running over longer distances and faster speeds. Stepping stones podcasts are ace and will give you your neXT running challenge, free to download from here and still with Laura
Well done Andy I remember you starting out, seems no time ago and here you are able to run for 30 mins. Enjoy those new shoes and keep posting about your progress. Will be good to follow how you get on.
Congratulations on graduation and on a fantastic weight loss, you must be on cloud nine. Isn't it lovely to look in a mirror and see a fitter person looking back.
Are you following a healthy eating plan? or is the weight loss just from running?
What a lovely post thanking people for their advice, encouragement and not forgetting your wife for her support, is really touching.
I joined slimming world back in June last year, my wife wanted to go although she didn't need to lose any weight in my opinion, since then I have lost 5st 5lb, I then got a Fitbit surge towards the end of September and started upping my exercise levels, was only doing between 2000 and 3000 steps a day, now I am usually between 10000 and 11000. I started going for what I would call brisk walks, initially, regularly covering 4 or 5 miles in the evenings. I notices as I was getting fitter that the walks weren't really at a high enough intensity so thought I would start running and found the program.
I am now planning a "1 million step challenge" for Help for Heroes and am going to attempt to do 1 million steps in April and May, that will require me to average 16130 steps every day for two months so quite an increase on my daily target but will help keep me motivated and for an excellent cause too. You can follow my progress at facebook.com/andysfat2fit
Last week I tracked a walk of 16130 steps, turns out with my long legs its 9.1 miles! So will be doing some as running and some as walking.
If anyone wants sponsor me I have a just giving page at justgiving.com/Andy-Symons There is a picture of me on there taken last February. It shocks me the difference over the last 12 months.
May post a pic of me in Lycra just to sacre everyone lol
You are amazing! Your wife must feel so proud of you.
I decided to lose weight and get fitter this year and was lucky enough to stumble across Couch to 5K on the internet.
With healthy eating and 5:2 diet I have managed to shift 21 lbs so far this year, and feel better for doing so. My first goal is 9 stone 12 lbs by the end of June ( exactly a stone ) and my end goal is 9 stone 7 lbs and I am determined to achieve it.
I look forward to reading about your progress. Enjoy your running xx
Congratulations and what will power you must have starting just before Christmas! The weight loss is a great achievement too - I'm hoping to lose 4 stone with healthy eating and running. Keep up the good work
Hi Andy, think you might need to get your badge by posting on Graduation Badge February 2016. RFC is usually pretty quick to respond and that site you used is 4 years old.
YES Andy! You're a complete star! Very well done for graduating, you've done brilliantly on this program and made us all giggle lots in the process. 5k too on graduation, that's really great, you absolutely should be suitably proud of your achievements! Onwards and upwards you marvellous Lycra clad runner!
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Congratulations very well done and 5k in a very good time ! 
and on your weight loss 
Congratulations on your graduation and on your weight loss, and happy running!
Black Lycra tights ! Who would have thought it 
Crashed and burned on graduating run :(
Woop Woop! Graduated W9R3!
Week 9 run 1
My Second Park Run: New Shoes Make A Difference!
